however to strictly acim teacher under certain headings as teachers will find various aspects of each category true for them and their own particular personality types. These categories therefore have very vague lines of separation as teachers often flitter between categories. It is important to be able to categorise your teaching style in the broader sense as this will help you to determine how you see yourself now and what kind of teacher you envisage yourself becoming. The basic premise of this book is to equip you with the working tools to achieve your future goals.
I. The Presenter:
This category of teacher presents information to students as a ‘lecturer’ would. They, more than often, have an in depth knowledge of their particular subject area, yet may lack a wider understanding of teaching methodology. Presenters often convey information in an extremely interesting and often entertaining manner. Students, however, often do not find themselves interacting on a personal level and may feel uninvolved and unchallenged.
II. The Facilitator:
This teacher, like the Presenter, has a sound knowledge of a particular subject area. This teacher also has a firm grounding in teaching methodology, and may still therefore convey information as a lecturer would, but they also draw on a number of interesting options and activities to help facilitate student learning in the subject area. The Facilitator attempts to promote a student-centred, interactive environment.
III. The Communicator:
Again, like the Facilitator, this teacher has an acute awareness of both subject matter and teaching methodology. This teacher also has an understanding of the student as a person and relates to their individual personalities and backgrounds that they bring to the learning environment. This teacher responds to these issues and factors when planning their lessons in order to create a good rapport and atmosphere. The Communicator may be seen as someone who creates the conditions which are seen as necessary for an effective learning environment.
2. Further Teacher Learning
The truth about teaching is that the more established one becomes in one’s job, the less willing one is to take risks and try something completely different. Teachers have a lot to learn from each other and from a wide array of courses and workshops on offer throughout the world.
Ways for you as a teacher to further improve and develop could include:
• Reading articles, magazines and books highlighting ESL Teaching Techniques and ideas. Try them out in your class!
• Exchanging useful ideas and lesson plans with other teachers
• Attending a Professional Training Course
• Attending Conferences and Seminars
• Observing other teachers in the classroom
In Service Education and Training (INSET)
One should be continuously teaching and learning. A great way of learning is for a teacher to observe a colleague’s lesson and then do an exchange observation. This should not be done to judge each other, but to learn from each other. Another equally successful way of learning within a school is to exchange lesson plans and activity ideas that have worked well within the classroom. You should share your knowledge, especially in those areas where you display a particular strength or interest. This sharing of ideas may be in the form of in- service-training (INSET), whereby you or another teacher prepares a short presentation to the English teaching staff outlining ways of teaching certain skills or systems. This may include the sharing of successful lesson plans and activities with those in the school. INSET programmes such as these are also instrumental in creating improved relationships and greater sense of cohesion.