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Criteria for selecting teachers of English
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Wed, 03/18/2009 - 01:44
Dear All
As trainers some of us have had the experience of interviewing and selecting teachers of English. If you haven't had the experience, assume that you are part of an interview panel and you have been asked to select the best teacher of English. Based on what criteria do you select teachers? Do you expect teachers to have the following skills? Given below are some criteria:
- proficiency in English (all the four skills)
- teaching skills
- testing skills
- the candidate's attitude towards English, students, etc.
- thinking skills
- creativity
- commitment
- etc.
How do you assess their skills and how do you select them?
Looking forward to reading your comments.
Albert P'Rayan
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 02:58
#2
What are these indicators? Can you provide some examples?
Aiden Yeh
Thu, 04/09/2009 - 17:31
#3
Hi Aiden,
Sorry for the delay due to the Internet connection problem in my country.To my mind the selection needs to align with a set of criteria or standards,namely professional knowledge,professional skills and professional dispositions.The said standards are,in their turn,divided into indicators,say,
1)professional knowledge stands for:
-knowledgeof the curricula
-mastery of the language (grammar,phonology,morphoogy,culture....
-knowledge of school regulations
-knowledge of various approaches,,principles and methods...
2)professinal skills:
- techear's ability to identify clearly the teaching-learning objectives according to the curriculum
- // // //devise appropriate tasks in accordance with the set of objectives (learners levels and needs)
-// // // identify learners'needs,likes,levels,learning styles...
3)professional disposition:
-readiness to be:
- Member of the school community
- to show respect to all the stakeholders
- Fair (treat all children equally)
- Responsible
- ready to learn
- to attend in-service training sessions actively...
The list is by no means exhaustive but I hope it will provide practical benchmarks to set up a framework that will make any selection less subjective and valid.
Cordially,
Abdelillah.
Thu, 04/02/2009 - 21:59
#4
Нi Rayan,
I expect teacher to have at least four necessary skills: Besides being pro in language he (she) has to be a good narrator, a good listener and a good actor.
;) Elena
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 04:04
#5
Hi Elena
Many thanks for your contribution. Why do you say that s/he should be a good actor? Could you explain with some examples?
Albert
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 15:20
#6
Hi Elena and All
Are you really sure that teachers have to be good actors? What do you usually mean when saying or thinking of 'an actor'?
I'm highly interested in your answers as we are having hot and endless debates on this within our colleagues.
Personally I do not think that we are performing in the classroom, though we can play a role of facilitator, advisor, counseller etc. But in any case we are who and what we are, though we can try different shoes.
For me to be an actor means to pretend to be someone loosing his or her own personality, i.e. to live the life of the other person or character. What do YOU think?
Any your ideas will be highly appreciated!
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 07:03
#7
Hi Elena & all
Yes, listening is one of the very important skills that is quite ignored. Definitely, a teacher has to be an actor. How about, a good communicator instead of a narrator because, good comunicators are good listeners.
Samjhana
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 04:06
#8
Hi Samjihana
'Narrator' is a specific term whereas 'commnicator' is a general term. Teachers of English should have good communication skills.
Albert
Fri, 04/03/2009 - 08:04
#9
Hi Samjhana!
Of course you are right. Our profession requires from us to be a good communicator. I used "narrator" to emphasize a skill of a storyteller, a person who can tell smth interesting and does it perfectly.
Best wishes
Elena
Thu, 04/23/2009 - 15:26
#10
Dear All
What about management skills? Do you think a teacher should be a good manager?
I think, yes! If yes, what about soft skills?
Sat, 04/25/2009 - 03:02
#11
Hi All,
criteria :
-knowledge of language aspects (grammar, lexic, phonetics) for language operation
-knowledge of developing of four skills:speaking, reading, writing, listening for teaching
of learners as the basis of mastering of a language
-knowlege of healthy management( consists of methods of teaching, pedagogics,
psychology) for organization of teaching process .
Hi Rayan,
In addition to your suggestions and for more objectivity,the criteria you have pointed out need to be translated into indicators to make any measurement valid and effctive.Moreover,professional disposition,e.g,is also as important as any other standard.