The Teacher’s Personality
The Question
Farida, Azerbaijan
Hello!
I would like to know your opinion on the role of a teacher in the classroom and the way their personality influences the teaching and learning process.
Being a teacher and a student as well, I realise how important the image of the teacher is to students. And every time I enter the classroom I keep in mind three methodological rules: look, sound and speak like a professional. However, I never draw a clear-cut line between myself and my students and convince them that they are my partners, not only students. But some teachers forget their role in the classroom and abuse their duties as a teacher and enjoy mocking students. I was the victim of such teachers more than once and I felt really embarrassed. Of course, I could defend myself but it didn’t diminish the problem of such teachers. I came to the conclusion that the personality of a teacher deeply influences the teaching process. So I would like you to share your opinion on the above mentioned problem.
Thanks.
What’s your opinion? Is there an ideal teacher personality? Would the students be better off without a teacher? Should teachers simply be themselves? Does it depend on the age of the students?
Answers
Gary Stobbs, China
In answer to the question about the teacher’s personality effecting the lesson I would like to give some advice that I have found to be true in most cases from working in schools for the last 18 years and as an English teacher in China for the last of them: “If you want your students to perform then you must perform for them.” By that I mean you always give your best and if you need to demonstrate a word by acting like a fool then act the fool. If it needs you to very carefully explain something then that is what you do. You must allow students to be “able to talk” to you because that is what they need. And if you want to be a critic then find a different job.
Tjang Kian Liong, Indonesia
I would like to write something about a teacher’s personality. I agree that a teacher should have a nice personality that will make the learning processes interesting and enjoyable.
A teacher should always learn to speak in a more attractive way, manipulating his own voice (articulation, intonation, volume, speed, etc.), his own eye-contact, his own body movements and postures.
A teacher should appear nicely, dressed in simple but suitable garments, and wear suitable ornamental accessories.
A teacher should plan and build interesting activities, and conduct those activities using clear instructions.
A teacher should also build students’ confidence by positive encouragement – avoiding critisism and blame.
When students like the teacher, they will learn better and more readily.
Bob Bajirioghene, Nigeria
I would like to contribute concerning a teacher’s personality and how it affects the student or the pupil.
I read somewhere that a teacher is the one who gives just a piece of himself or herself to the student. To do this, he must have at his fingertips a good grasp of his subject matter and realise that the first day, the very first day, in class is crucial. The impression made that day is what constitutes a large chunk of what the teacher would impart on the student or pupil.
Dr. Leena Thomas, India
It is rather important that the teacher is friendly – this helps students to open up. She/he must be sure of her/his subject – you need their respect.
You must motivate – very important in learning English. I would also add:
– Some control is essential.
– Never mock or discourage students.
– Bring out the best in them.
Aysegul, Turkey
I also believe our personality as teachers influences students. If you show tolerance they begin to make noise and don’t listen to you. If you shout at them, they join the lesson only because they are afraid of you. This is not a good thing. I want to enjoy the lesson while I am teaching. I don’t want to threaten my students but sometimes they force me to.
H. Shaefi, Assistance Professor of English as Second Language, Libya
Concerning the teacher’s personality, it is very important in controlling the lessons and the learning process.
I have noticed if the teacher isn’t controlling the class in a commanding way, he will lose control of it and the discipline of the class. As a result, the attention of the students would lessen and the benefits from the teaching process would be limited.
Therefore, a strong personality is recommended for the language teacher, besides his competence and knowledge of the language and teaching methods.
That also results form my observation and my ten-years’ teaching experience.
Marwan Muhammad Azzam, Syria
I would like to answer the question about a teacher’s personality in the classroom. As a teacher of English, once I participated in the second Abu Dhabi Branch Conference of TESOL Arabia under this title: “Connecting the classroom and the community”. The main idea was that the best teacher is the one who is like an orchestra conductor, who gives the instructions and lets the pupils perform. This leads us to say that we must increase pupils talking time PTT and reduce teacher-talking time TTT.
Harrow English School, UK
Regardless of whether the pupil is a member of a classroom full of pupils or a solitary pupil in a tutorial session, we regard the “relationship” aspect of their contract to be a completely individual situation; class teaching may take place in common but, when pupils are learning, a private mutual arrangement runs between the teacher and each individual pupil. With this in mind, we submit that the relationship between teacher and pupil should (ideally) incorporate the following:
1. A craving in the pupil (P) to acquire, as soon as he can, facts and skills that he is certain the teacher (T) possesses; this craving should be so strong as to verge on desperation;
2. A conviction, in T, that the principal purpose for his possession of all his skills and knowledge is for him to make as many other individuals as possible fully acquainted with a total understanding of those same facts and skills; and that T’s life will have been a total waste if he should fail to achieve as much as possible of this in respect of the pupil or pupils now facing him; the desire in T, to do this, should also amount to a craving;
3. The nature of the relationship between P and T (regardless of their actual ages) should resemble that between a younger person (represented by P) enjoying a shared, leisurely activity (for example a rural walk) with a much-loved and admired avuncular older person (represented by T), during which activity the two converse comfortably, in good humour, with mutual respect and a profound sense of fulfilment;
4. We consider that no hypothetical discussion in this context should consider any situation less than an ideal: contemplation of an inferior state must strip all purpose or point from the original question posed. Nobody climbs seriously without wondering about reaching the summit.
Kamran, Pakistan
My opinion about teachers is that they give us the right way of thoughts but whenever a weak student wants to obtain positive attention from the teacher then they try to make personal connections. So, if they are of the opposite sex then this kind of involvement is not good.
“Being without a teacher is just like the Earth being without gravity.”
Ysabel, Spain
The mainstay of all children’s education is the teacher. A school is not only the students, with them is also the teacher and his role in the classroom is very important.
Teachers do not only teach Maths or Literature, they teach children other things, as important as how to be a good person for example.
Evidently, a teacher has to be a personality. I do not think and, also, I do not agree with the idea that all teachers are similar because everyone has to be a personality and that has an influence on their students. The difference between a good or bad teacher depends, many times, on a big or small school drop-out rate. If the teacher is not motivated, he transmits his apathy to the students, but when he has a passion for his job that has a positive consequence on the pupils. They have motivation and go happily to school.
Because of that, I think the role of the teacher in classroom is essential.
Noor
First of all, I want to thank you for your wonderful topic. You are right in what you said but most teachers teach in a very dull way. The only thing they think about is when they will finish.
Parivash Shoghi, Iran
I think the personality of a teacher is very important. I lived in the U.S.A for fourteen years and I think it affected my personality a lot. I got my bachelor’s degree in Austin, Texas. I was always very friendly with my students and they loved it. But most teachers in Iran are very serious. I believe if a student likes his or her teacher, they will study better.
From Internet: www.teachingenglish.org.uk
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