ELT News Think Tank
This Month's Think Tank Panel
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Marc Helgesen
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Peter Viney
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Setsuko Toyama
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Topic: "What are good strategies or techniques for developing rapport
with a new class?"
Panelists: Marc | Peter |
Setsuko | Readers Comments: Collette Young | Darryn Shieffelbien
Date: April 2000
Reader's Comments: Collette Young
Establishing your credibility as 'the' teacher from day one is of utmost importance
Especially when one deals with Asian students. This gives them the re-assurance that
they are in good hands. I usually proceed to asking the students to interview their
seatmate and introduce that person to the class. The activity also becomes an ice-breaker
as a lot of laughter is elicited from the class. And the most important thing is to ask
them what their expectations are from the class, the subject and the teacher. I do this
to validate if their expectations are realistic or if there is a mismatch of expectations.
The latter would prove to be very frustrating for the whole class if not addressed early
on. From there I proceed to discuss my teaching style and lay out policies. I also ask my
students why they want to learn English. I want to know what motivated them to be in my
class in the first place. Then I discuss with them the difference between being motivated
by grades and certificates vs. being motivated by really wanting to learn to keep up with
the changing landscape in business and industries where English plays a major role.
Be open to "mistakes" coming from the class and use these to show them it is
perfectly normal to create mistakes. This will encourage students to take risks without
fear of being rebuked. "Teachable moments" always arise in class, whether they
be part of the lesson proper or something that came out from normal conversations outside
of the lesson, a teacher should always be sensitive to these and take advantage of the
opportunity to "teach" or "correct".
Finally, and most importantly, know your students. If they are adults, treat them like
adults. Know their backgrounds. If they are kids, don't treat them like kids but couch your
teaching style with a little more TLC. And oh, if they ask you to repeat several times,
don't make your voice LOUDER. They heard what you said; they did not suddenly become deaf
-- they just didn't understand it. I made that mistake a lot of times when I was a new ESL
teacher. And of course, learn to laugh at yourself and your mistakes, too. You'll be
surprised how comfortable the learning atmosphere will be.
Reader's Comments: Darryn Shieffelbien
Get to know the individuals in the class first.
Meeting a new class for the first time can be pretty intimidating. You don't
know them and they don't know you. Some suggestions:
* Get involved (it can seem a bit invasive to start with but it pays off!)
* Ask questions: what are they doing, what do they like, what don't they like etc.
* Get to know he students names as quickly as possible.
* Be yourself but don't let the students dictate the tone.
* Firmness, in my experience, is respected. As long as its balanced with
fairness, a willingness to be involved and a sense a realness.
* Respect is also generated from knowing the subject too!!
Panelists: Marc | Peter |
Setsuko
Readers Comments: Collette Young | Darryn Shieffelbien
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