Job Discussion Forums

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

I thot the xxx were kisses she was throwing at us Laughing

but she assured me, much to my great relief, they were not (as she used the xxx on another forum).

Getting back to the original question, I'm definitely one of the latter types of teacher. But in a classroom where the ss are either older, stuffier, or want a more academic, serious atmosphere, or the school wants a more academic, serious atmosphere, I am forced to be more tuck-in-my-shirt serious.But if left to my own devices I would definitely be less serious. I think there's a place for both, and you should go with your own personality. There are some teachers who couldn't/shouldn't be relaxed to save their lives--it just isn't them, but they are nevertheless very good teachers and should not try to be something they aren't. Likewise, (conversely?) there are those of us who don't fit well into a stuffed shirt type atmosphere, rigid-type school. I should know, I worked at one of these schoools once and for me it was like trying to fit myself, a round peg, into a square hole, of the school atmsophere.

I think all teachers should be allowed to teach in the style that best becomes them.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

I guess I am one of the latter, and I believe in dressing professionally for class, as well.

I hate generalizing about people or my students so I won't even try. I find the idea of actually conversing with my students worrisome, though, frankly I try to say as little as possible outside of class. And I learned a maxim supposedly for teaching children, which I have applied with some success to my college - level Chinese students: "Don't let them see you smile before Christmas."

Ha, OK so I'm not actually teaching conversation classes, I guess that excuses my reluctance to veer into "What - did - you - do - this - weekend?" banalities. But I don't chat with them for practical reasons, as well, namely that some (most) would understand very little of what I was saying. Since I don't have to make conversation with them in order to help prepare them for their exams, I try to keep my relationship with them as impersonal as possible.

Of course I'm only moderately successful in these endeavors, they all love me anyway and tell me all sorts of unprovoked wonderful things. Their Chinese teachers are exactly what I aspire to be: stiff and tedious, if somewhat effective, educators. So I guess my students are just excited to experience a different style of education, one that more is student - centered.

I still cringe everytime they tell me they think of me "not only as a teacher, but a friend." Shocked

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I act differently depending on my classes (at a university). For my large classes (70+), I just teach and tell the odd the joke to keep the class lighthearted. For my smaller classes, I try to get to know the students more, especially as there are some students I've taught for almost 3 years now in 10+ classes over the years. I do get to know them and we can talk about most anything. It varies depending on the students and their level of English, of course.

I believe we need to keep some distance from our studednts and do not try to become their friends. You can still be friendly, but there is a certain division there. How can we be objective with their grades if we are their friends?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

OMG...did you say 70+ students?

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

When I was in high school about 100 years ago, we had this laid back teacher (Dave . . . something, I forget now. We called him by his family name, but his father was also a teacher there so we often called him Mr. Dave - - wow! a full circle, some of my students call me "Mr. Kevin"!). He taught government, had a long ponytail, was only a few years older than his students, and was pretty "hip". (I told you, 100 years ago)

Do you think I cared about government at that time? No way! But he actually talked TO us and not AT us. We read newspapers in class and talked about the articles, had debates, and a host of other activities. What was most students' favorite class? You got it - - his. Other kids that weren't in his class were actually envious of us.

Point being, teaching style is everything. I have been told in the past by students and peers that my teaching style is pretty good (students don't say ". . . your teaching style is pretty good . . ." They just say, "cool class" or something). Sadly, I can't use a lot of those styles here in China, lord knows I try. Sometimes I have success, often I don't and it becomes rote teaching. But I do recognize a glimmer of "old Kevin" from time to time and I get it back from the students.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Oh...that makes more sense. I'm usually thinking in EFL circles...missed the fact that you teach at uni.

My armor is getting tarnished. Relics of the Flame Wars

distiller · Joined: 31 May 2004 Posts: 249

It depends on what age level you are teaching. You don't want to be overly familiar with primary age kids in class at times because they will take it as a cue to start up recess in your lesson and once you've lost them it can be a real chore to get hem back on track. However, out on the playground you can roughhouse with them and as long as you keep well defined boundaries it should not impact the lessons negatively.

For secondary and university kids I really enjoy talking to them outside of class and knowing about their personal lives. That access and only using English outside of the classroom, not to mention their curiosity for meeting foreigners, I think is part of the whole point of having a native speaker. If we are just going to clock in and out and keep our heads down the rest of the time then I think we are doing at best only half a job. I, for one, believe that many of my students have learned more from conversing with me, using shadow correction, than they did from some of their exercises, especially the older more intellectually curious ones. Many students who see schoolwork as real work are more than happy to talk about their weekend or hobbies without realizing that they are using the target language and that you are molding the conversation to get the most out of them. I�ve found this type of interaction invaluable as a tool for reaching a lot of students in a profound and personal way.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Do any of you have any guidelines issued to you on how you should relate to students in the class by your employers?

Laura C · Joined: 14 Oct 2003 Posts: 211 Location: Saitama

OK, not as a teacher, but relevent I think...

I worked for 3 years in a hostel for homeless people. We had the same discussions about how close to get to our residents. I found that the very 'staff' staff were unpopular, which in this type of situation led to a lack of respect and people not obeying the rules. In a hostel where a violent person comes in drunk that can be dangerous.

On the other hand, there were overly friendly staff. This isn't so bad in itself, but unfortunately some nasty people can take advantage. One woman for example told a domestic violence victim that she too had been in the same situation. This was appropriate in the circumstances; however, a guy heard of this and tried to physically intimimidate her afterwards, thinking she would be especially vulnerable.

My closest friend on the staff team was against any of what we called 'self-disclosure'. But sometimes it helps, e.g. if a resident was very depressed they were genuinely helped by a staff member saying they had been depressed before too.

With me, as with the poster above, I was friendly and gave personal information when appropriate. I never minded being asked about my boyfriend, for example. But in teaching, when it is 'class time', students should know your boundaries, and in the hostel I found the same. 'Boundaries' was a word we threw about quite a lot, but I think in hostel staffing as well as teaching it should be clear where yours are, regardless of how friendly or distant you like to be.

L

Deconstructor · Joined: 30 Dec 2003 Posts: 775 Location: Montreal

All teachers must fit the class to their personality while fitting themselves to the personality of the class. This is the artistic balance.

Someone once said:
In adopting organic teaching the teacher must adapt it to his needs, in a way natural to him, complimenting his own unique artistry. To ever accept a 'method' as 'THE method' is to destroy it, is to make it move backward. Teaching can be the greatest of all arts, the greatest of all sciences.

My God! look at the line below. I feel a nervous breakdown coming on! Laughing

eslHQ · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 43 Location: Korea

I never knew I was going to be teacher but if I had i know I would have wanted to be the shoes-up-on-desk-coffee-in-hand-hawaiian-shirt-wearing-teacher. But to my surprise, my students really respond poorly to the lax attitude. (in korea)

For example, if i come into class very casual, chatty and jokey the class tends to get a bit crazy before it's over. Sometimes it gets so bad that I get angry and the class does a 180. On the other hand, if I come into class more serious and stern, the class' behavior is great!

So there is a balance to be struck. It's a challenge to find that middle ground where you can get to know your students on a more casual/personal level while still maintaining a "leader" status. I wish I could kick back more with my students but that just sets the mood and they seem to lose respect for that and quickly the class degenerates.