Every language school, every school owner, every teacher, every publisher promises a significant change for each and every learner in our classes.
But do teachers teach in such a motivating way that learners learn what they really need?
It is my view that in the majority of language schools most of the work is done through text books which, without any doubt, make the teacher’s life easier.
I do not blame the publishing houses, which are commercial companies rather than educational bodies and their aim is not necessarily to improve the state of affairs in the field of English Language Teaching.
I am asking teachers: “Are you really satisfied with just using the text book in your class, going through page after page and being predictable and de - motivating?”
I believe that if teachers can’t do anything beyond the books used in class, they miss something seriously important in this profession.
The majority of school owners worry more about the curriculum design which may not be easily comprehended by the learners than the results they are going to achieve.
In my opinion classroom teaching methodology needs more attention and certainly more respect because through professional Teacher Education courses and seminars a teacher may realise that: each leaner is unique and each learner’s needs are different.
The course book is simply another ‘tool’ in the hands of a trained teacher. However without the teacher’s intuition, management and appropriate adaptation no course book can be effective. After all, if course books could teach, what would the role of the teacher be?
I encourage all classroom teachers to think seriously about the methodology they apply and reflect on it. It is the only way to break the boundaries of the text book and develop a world of professionalism, creativity and innovation.
School owners should be responsible for the development of their teachers, organise in-service training seminars and discuss with their teachers possible ways to improve the system and apply new methodologies.
Suggestions for school owners
• Do not force the implementation of a curriculum that was designed ‘once upon a time’.
• Apply methodologies that make the language learning process more motivating.
• Arrange regular meetings with the teachers to discuss various issues such as:
1. How effective was your teaching last week/month?
2. What kind of problems did you have in your class last week/month?
3. In which specific area do your students need more attention?
4. Are there any problems with specific students?
5. What is the appropriate action to be taken to solve a specific problem?
6. Are there any new worksheets, games, activities, etc that have been used this week/month?
7. Are there any suggestions on how to improve a particular area?
8. Is there a new article, book, website etc the teachers have found useful?
Suggestions for teachers
• Take initiatives.
• Look around for interesting and professional courses and seminars in order to find out the secrets of the art of teaching.
• Incorporate new technologies.
• Design your own materials.
• Use resource books and share ideas with other teachers.
In other words, discover the secrets of teaching, be creative, improve the way your students learn the language, experiment and evaluate, re-design and become a professional teacher in an ever changing environment.
Akis Davanellos
eltnews.gr
