There are an estimated 1.5 billion English learners around the globe. Honestly, in today’s world, having the theoretical knowledge of how to teach English as a foreign language is one thing, managing an ESL classroom is another thing. How you relate to your students is something totally different. It is more than just knowledge and educational qualifications.
Good ESL teachers draw on a wide range of skills. Hence, if you really want to be e better ESL teacher, you need to possess certain specific skill sets. Moreover, there will be a few things that you can only learn on the job. Do not worry, if you can try to follow the following approaches then you will also be a good TEFL teacher.
Please note we have skipped the general aptitudes like – Patience, Good Communication Skills, Confidence, Good Organizational Skills, Listening Skills, Being Empathetic etc. We have tried to share beyond these fundamentals.
8 Unique Skills Needed To Become A Good TEFL Teacher
What qualities should a good TEFL teacher have? Let us see ---
Using A Photocopier
This may sound easy but for those of you who have never had to use a photocopier earlier, this can be a challenging deed. It is more than just being able to photocopy a page from a text book, you’ll have to struggle with various paper sizes, pages printing at whatsoever angle they feel like. There’s also additional learning to scan resources, and once you’ve figured that out, it’s knowing where the documents have been scanned to. Then after you’ve covered all the fundamentals, you move schools and be confronted with anadditionalone that you have to learn all over again!
Being Open-Minded
Being open additionally means being culturally aware and culturally sensitive. When you become a TEFL certified teacher, you will be juggling the various personalities, interests and learning needs of all your learners.
Believe us, this is no easy task. That is why to ensure the learning setting is the most effective, you need to be open and communicative. Try to make your ESL lessons as student-centred as much possible. Give your learnersindependence in your classroom. This will make them feel more appreciated and it’ll really make your job easier!
Effective Use of TPR
Total physical response is the ability to use different hand gestures and your body to help your students learn. Needless to say, this is an exclusive way to bring the lesson, words, concepts and sentences to life! It doesn’t have to be intricate. Try to think simple and use TPR when suitable to help your student pair the action with the word.
Situational Supportive Relationship
For this, you need to possess the right attitude. You need to be able to engage as well as connect with your students. With the precise mental attitude, positive mindset and perceptions, you can do it. In difference, if you seem to have little or absolutely no interest in the subject matter or the learners, the students might replicate the same attitude towards you. They will eventually show a disregard for whatever is being educated.
Subject-Matter Expert
To be an effective ESL teacher, you need to develop the skillsets of engaging and connecting with an interesting presentation way. This is particularly true when teaching a foreign language. Many young learners lack the essential motivation. When teachers fluctuate their presentation styles as well as use thought-provoking activities that make the lesson fun yet educational, learners might be more willing to participate.
Classroom Management Skills
Well, it’s no secret that you need to have strong classroom management skills. Good classroom management embraces–
- time management
- preserving discipline in your classroom and
- creating a classroom arrangement
Warmers Every TEFL Teacher Should Know
A teacher whoowns the desirable skills can have a great impact on the lives of his/her students and motivate them to endure learning both inside as well as outside the classroom. Engaging your student can look like numerous different things. Ask them about their hobbies and interests or discover connections to their life by asking applicable questions.
Strong Observational Aptitude
A great TEFL teacher always be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of his/her learners. Though it is not an easy task but if you are accomplished enough, you can figure out ways to help them in the first few minutes!
Try to ask suitable queries to get your student speaking from the start. It is your job to support or extend the lesson to best meet their requirements. Use various props to support your teaching and don’t forget about good TPRs. You can also use your whiteboard to break down words into smaller parts.
Be Tech-Savvy
Needless to say, you will need to have some proficiency with using technology. You will need to learn online teaching English strategies as well because after the global pandemic of Covid-19, education has shifted majorly to online.
Usually, most online ESL companies have their own built-in classroom software but you might also be using different applications like Zoom or Google Classroom to teach your classes. Practice well before entering a new classroom platform and get familiar with the tools.
Apart from the above-mentioned skillsets, to become a great TEFL teacher, you need to be adaptable and flexible enough. Also, nobody wants to be greeted by a cold and boring teacher, isn’t it? So, try to be warm and friendly enough. Always put yourself in your students’ shoes. Doing this can actually help you step up your game and improve your teaching.
The Bottom Line
We recommend taking professional courses and further training with Online 120 Hours of International TEFL Certificate Program. With the above-mentioned approaches, we are certain that your teaching skills will be improved.
Written By : Kalyani Balakrishnan
