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WHAT
MAKES A GOOD TEACHER AND WHAT MAKES A GOOD LEARNER?
6 December,
2004
The idea for this session came
from a book published by UNICEF and Beijing Academy of Educational Sciences
called, "Children say what makes a good teacher".
In it are extracts and pictures
of children all over China giving their views on the above theme.
So we thought we'd do the same,
ask our students what makes a good teacher and ask ourselves what makes a
good learner.
This is what we came up with.
WHAT
MAKES A GOOD TEACHER?
(Most of these came from young
adults aged around twenty and a few thrown in by our good selves!)
The good teacher must have a
perfect speaking. This good speaking is not reading books. He must have his
personal ideas to the class.
A good teacher should study his
students carefully.
The teacher ought to hobnob with
the students, play with them and tell them what they should do and what they
mustn't do.
A good teacher should do some
good things to his students.
"No homework...if you
want!" When I heard it come from my math's teacher, I lost my words. To
everyone's surprise, no one lose at the exam. We all believed him, followed
him step by step, he was the one that won the belief of the students.
A good teacher teaches with
passion. He isn't afraid of being different.
A good teacher should be brave
to accept the flows (flaws) in himself.
A good teacher who must teach
what belongs to himself/herself, and always gives what he/she wants
Teachers are the guides of one's
whole life. Most of one's character is shaped by his or her teacher. So, as a
good teacher, you must be kind-hearted and honest. Second you must be
patient. Thirdly, you have to study hard, because you are the knowledge
provider of your students, but that's not enough, you should also know how to
teach them. So, to be a good teacher is difficult. Thank all teachers!
Among the students, you must
remember you are not a teacher you are their friend.
A good teacher must dress up
tidiness.
To be a good teacher is more
difficult than to be a student. Because if you're a student you can say
"I don't know". But as a teacher I don't think you have the right
to say "I don't know".
You should pay attention to the
students' feedback.
A good teacher continually
improves his/her ability and adapts him/herself to the needs of the class.
A good teacher pulls you up one
step at a time. They make the gap between where you are and where you need to
go small, so you can move up steadily, one step at a time.
A good teacher is aware that
what is taught is not always the same as what is learnt.
WHAT
MAKES A GOOD LEARNER?
(Most of these came from our
good selves!)
Has courage.
Is active.
Is pro-active
Goes into the class with
questions for their teacher.
(We came across the conflict of
cultures with this one. A Chinese student may see this as a lack of respect
for the teacher, the "knower of all knowledge". So re-directing the
class and expecting the teacher to be flexible and accept that, may not be a
possibility.)
Asks for confirmation.
Is motivated.
Has discipline.
Has a goal for study.
Has a good study routine.
Reviews and previews.
Speaks.
Listens.
Puts listening first, speaking
second and is prepared to put their pen and paper away sometimes.
Accepts not knowing something.
Finds reasons why to do
something not reasons NOT to do something;
For example, often suggest to
Chinese students that they can form discussion groups to improve their
English and you'll get an immediate "But ..." response.
Is aware that learning often
happens days or months later. It is not linear and it is not immediate.
Sees learning English as a
long-term 'project' rather than 'modulising' it if you like into clusters of
'to do's'; eg, preparation for an IELTS exam.
Many students will not do anything until about two weeks before a test and
then 'cram' - how do you do that for a communicative-style test? - and wonder
why they do not do well
Does not criticize teachers who
have seen it all and done it all and actually have a better idea of what
students need.
Does not blame a teacher for
his/her lack of application.
Accepts suggestions and tries to
incorporate them into their language learning.
Is just insatiable for what you
are learning.
Sets up his / her language
learning to be enjoyable.
And I think the final words of
this student befittingly bring this topic to a close,
No one is born to be a teacher,
and everyone is a teacher, because we all have advantages that are enough to
be other's teacher. In another word we are both students and teachers.
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