Here are a few guidelines that English teachers can benefit from .No matter which grade you teach, these tips will be of great use.
* At the beginning of the school year have some time to glance through the textbook you will be teaching, preview the curriculum and jot down the general objectives ( what your students should know and be able to do by the end of the year). Then work towards achieving these objectives.
* Prepare your lesson well ahead of time and make sure to have a clear lesson plan down on paper. Keep the lesson’s objectives in your mind while in class and try to relate every activity to these objectives.
* Use teaching aids efficiently. When planning your lesson, think of the instructional materials that are appropriate for the lesson and have them handy in class.
* Vary your teaching methods and present information in a variety of ways. Break the routine by integrating methods like: brainstorming, role-play, cooperative learning, concept maps, graphic organizers...etc.
* Accommodate for the students’ different learning styles and intelligences. If the learning material is presented to them in a way that suits their learning style, they are more likely to understand and practice what they learn.
* Be enthusiastic. Students can sense your passion from the first moment you enter the class. So, show genuine interest in teaching your subject. Remember that if you become uninterested, the students will to.
* Learn about your students’ age characteristics and developmental stage. That will certainly guide you to the best way to deal with them.
* Be patient and friendly. Create a safe environment for your students where mistakes are tolerated. It is proven that threat and intimidation hinder learning. Apart from that, loosing your temper in front of students will grant you little respect.
* To help your students develop intrinsic motivation and to boost their drive for learning, remind them explicitly of the rewards of learning English. Describe jobs that require English and encourage students to see rewards for themselves beyond the final exam.
* Allow the students to be active participants in their learning by asking them to look for information, design activities, give presentations, and conduct discussions. Have them make lists of things they want to accomplish on their own and follow their progress.
* Hold high expectations for your students and do not underestimate their abilities. If you act as if they are “a bunch of losers heading nowhere”, they are likely to be so. Instead, try to develop their self-esteem and confidence by setting attainable goals and rewarding every effort they make no matter how little it may seem.
* Be a good role- model and practice what you preach. Think of the great impact you have on their lives and try to instil in them the moral values and behavioural skills that would make them grow to be healthy human beings. Remember that values are caught not taught.
* Always be consistent. Consistency is a vital trait of successful teachers. You will have much respect from your students if you are fair and rational in your own actions and behaviour.
