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leeroy · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 777 Location: London UK

with the students - I mean.

Some teachers, I am sure, stroll into class on a Monday morning with their shirt tucked in, nod a quick hello and begin teaching. They might allow themselves the odd smile or frown, but pretty much stay "un-engaged" on an emotional and social level with their students. I've observed very good teachers like this - nothing wrong with it Smile

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On the far end of the same scale is a teacher who strolls in, sits on their desk (or possibly on the chair with their feet up on the desk) gives everyone a big grin and starts chatting casually about the weekend. Nothing wrong with this either per se Smile

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It might seem fair to assume that, on the whole, (young) students prefer teachers of the latter kind. Who wouldn't? But is there much more to be gained (in terms of effective language learning) from a teacher who knows what your pet hamster is called? I had previously always thought

"Yes - students respond better to a teacher who seems to take an interest in them personally."

But do they really? I can't think of anything to actually back that up - it just seems like one of those "taken as red" things that people automatically assume. It's very cool to say "yeah, you know, I like to tune in to the students' personal needs and, like, the vibe of the class..". Does this actually help?

Naturally, language teachers should have a degree of awareness of what the class's language learning needs and objectives are - but this does not presuppose that the teacher should assume the role of "friend, therapist, advisor, comedian and confidant" at the same time...

jpvanderwerf2001 · Joined: 02 Oct 2003 Posts: 1117 Location: New York

Good topic.
I am definitely of the latter ilk. It's just more comfortable for me (and I like to think for the students) when we know each other more personally. I don't know whether either one is more conducive to learning than the other, though I know I always learned better from teachers who taught like I do.

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

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

There was a video floating around a few years back that showed the same actor playing a series of different types of teachers. It was being used in training sessions and I know The British Council was pushing it because one of our profs 2 years ago went to their "do" in Mexico City and came back to tell us that they only good thing he saw was that video....which we already had a copy of and had looked at maybe a week or two before he was hired....

As for their being no information about how students really respond to the different styles--I disagree. I have looked at thousands of student evaluations of teachers (including of me) and have found that they actually prioritize the interest that the teacher takes in them very highly.

Now--I have to say that the population groups involved here are those of folks from the US and Latin America. It may be a different story in Mali or Sumatra.

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

It would be interesting to know more about the student-teacher relationships in other cultures/countries. From my scant knowledge of Jaoanese culture, I had assumed that the teacher (and elder) are given great respect, inside and outside the class. Probably not true anymore in a very Westernized culture, so if anyone out there in Japan would care to pop in here?

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Oh oh, Guy--You know who shouldn't pop in here unless he provides his test scores.

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

Post that test link again...I didn't bookmark it. I think it could be a fun tool in an EFL class that can handle the political nature of it.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I didn't either, but I found it:

www.politicalcompass.org

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

Grax

carnac · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 10:50 pm Post subject:

Regardless of the actual teaching style employed, I think the important distinction to be made in teaching as well as (for instance) corporate management is the difference between being "friendly" and being a "friend". The difficulty becomes the placement of the separation line. In my classes we operate pretty much as a learning team with me in the role of facilitator, but someone has to be in charge. Not, hopefully in a Ghengis Khan sort of way, but the authority figure, the teacher, in any classroom, must be the one running the show. Feet on the desk (ouch! bad idea!) or not. One out of the many qualities necessary to be an effective teacher is being an effective manager. Of course, IMHO.The degree of authority to be imposed can vary immensely depending on student age/maturity/seriousness, but I believe that students ultimately WANT someone who is clearly running the show.
A classroom is not the best place for a democracy. Kids or adults,the same.
Of course, these opinions are espoused by the John Ashcroft School of Applied Linguistics and Constitutional Malfeasance.

Nagoyaguy · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 425 Location: Aichi, Japan

I am in Japan, and while it is true that people THINK teachers get respect, it isnt always the case. Kids here are ridiculously spoiled IMHO, and the new generation does not have the same ethic or point of view as the older ones.

I find kids have more respect for a teacher that can walk the edge of the razor between being friendly and trying to be their big brother/surrogate daddy. In my classes, the time outside of class is for chatting and horsing around. Once the bell goes, it is time for business. We can have fun and learn, but kids have to show respect to me, and most importantly to each other. After all, the class is more about how they can communicate together, not just with me. So, I try to inject a little of that philosophy into my lessons.

As for my test scores, as I recall they were;

Right wing 5.0
Libertarian -0.51

I will try again and edit this message with the correct answers.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

xxx.

Guy owes me 7 and a half pesos.

spidey · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 1:19 am Post subject:

I like to be known as the "Chameleon Teacher."

My point is that as in most situations, communication is based on being able to respond and adapt to the person or persons that you are interacting with. Whether it's in a teaching situation or just hangin with the guys.
As far as teaching goes, if we understand who we are dealing with then we should become the person that they need to maximize their learning potential. Easier said than done, I know, but it's a skill worth investing in.
Some need a more personal approach whereas others may require you to be that stoic very staight to the point type of individual.

Of course this is only IMHO.

S

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

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

some teachers can be nerdy or diffident but some students like that.
In EFL, I think the friendly and outgoing type is preferred.
Sometimes in class I am friendlier than I would be in the USA, or when I was in Poland or Russia.
But in Japan I was told to be strict in the classroom but friendly outside of class.
We need to be strict but not too strict. It is a fine line to walk.
Some students want strict teachers and others hate it and rebel.

I think getting to know about what my students do in their lives is good.
Usually in Japan the teacher just lectures, but in my class I try to make it student-centered. For some, they aren`t used to that, and it can take some time for adjustment.

I prefer a topic-based syllabus for conversation practice. Students can talk about their teachers and classes, clubs, juku, vacations, food, their family, etc.