Good teachers

I think there is no one agreed-upon recipe for 'good teaching'. The term- good/bad teacher-  is even problematic. I personally believe that there is no such a thing as a good or bad teacher.

To me, a real teacher is the one who keeps on improving his practical skills and theoritical knowledge.

Molhim

Dear Molhim,

I agree with the last part of your comment  but I’d like to add something to that.

A simple answer may be, a good teacher is someone who really cares about his/her teaching, but cares even more about the learning of the students.

Thanks,

Amir

I think a good teacher: 
- has profound knowledge about the subject 
- knows how to engage their students in the process - loves and cares about the students (they can feel it, believe me)
- never stops developing 
- maintains classroom discipline
It is difficult, but it is worth trying  to be a good teacher!

I think a good teacher is like a sports coach who:

•Encourages and supports individual 'players' and the whole team's performance.
•Knows the individual and group needs and acts accordingly.
•Understands that language learning (sport) is interactive, and that teammates are a great resource to learn from.
•Knows that scoring/winning (accuracy) as well as good performance (fluency) are important and keeps changing the focus according to the needs.
•Accepts failure sometimes when enough efforts have been exerted.
•Thinks of the players as people who are able one day to be as professional as he/she is.
•Is available to model all the time.
•Receives and welcomes feedback from the players on their and his/her performance and acts accordingly when applicable.
•Has a clear plan for the outcomes targeted within a certain period.
•Has sufficient knowledge about the sport itself, the psychological needs of the players, the new technology and ideas relevant to the sport.
•Undergoes professional development to keep fit and to improve.
•Is expected to deal with problems and challenges beyond the physical ability of the players.
•Has been there and knows the difficult/challenging bits of language (in case of non-native teachers) so he/she can guide the 'team' to success.
•Doesn't stick to one type/style of exercise for the team to practise.
•Works in coordination with management ,learners, other colleagues…

Dear Amir,

Thank you very much for having started this discussion thread on a very common but challenging question.
In my view, a good teacher essentially is the one who is concerned about his/her learners' success, guiding them, giving advice, helping them to make their own discoveries.
Of course, a good teacher has to be very much committed to his/her job, and always ready to improve teaching skills. Besides all that, he/she should be interested in developing social attitudes and cultural matters.

Best wishes,
Maria

Dear All,

I would say that being a good teacher is quite subjective. Some people value certain characteristics, while others place emphasis on other features. However, I think a good teacher of English should combine mastery of the language + teaching ability + constant improvement and learning. In my opinion, those teachers who feel they have learnt everything because they have vast teaching experience are not on the right track at all.

Best wishes,

Guadalupe

I think:

• A good teacher should be kind and patient.
• A good teacher should really love teaching.
• A good teacher should be lively and entertaining.
• A good teacher is able to motivate learners.
• A good teacher has a good knowledge of his/her subject.
• A good teacher should have good rapport and interaction with the class.
• A good teacher should be able to involve all students equally throughout the lesson.
• A good teacher should be able to correct students without offending them or affecting their motivation.
• A good teacher should know students’ weaknesses and try to give help and individual attention where necessary.

We can see that the first four examples above are concerning a teacher’s personality, whereas examples five to eight are more of a reflection on the relationship between the teacher and the students.

So, what exactly does make a good teacher? A simple answer may be, a teacher that really cares about his/her teaching, but cares even more about the learning of the students.

Dear Amir,

I totally agree with you. Being a good teacher means to care both about your teaching and your students. Shall I put in other words, it should be a vocation not simply a job.

Dear colleagues,
I think there is no such thing as "a good teacher". It depends on how your students see you: some of them appreciate your kindness, others appreciate your precise explanations, others your way of talking to them, others your way of assessing their work etc. I think this is the most important: to the way you manage to make yourself understood and appreciated by your students. They are the only ones who can say if you are good or bad. And you have to find it in your heart and in your mind to be good for each individual you teach.

Hello! My idea of a good teacher has found some reflection in the previous comments. I think, a good teacher first of all is a person, who understands why he or she became a teacher, understands that there is more than just teaching (first of all you should understand that every student is individual and they are many with their own characters, and if you are prepared to deal with it, then teaching is your sphere). Then, I think a good teacher learns himself all the time, rises his/ her qualifications, develops together with students. Of course, there should not be too familiar relationships.

Dear Ana,
I kind of disagree with you. There is such a thing as "a good teacher" and you are the one who describes what a good teacher should be aware of. Adding the characteristics given by Amir and Galina we see the ideal teacher. Naturally, there is nothing ideal and perfect in this world and we cannot expect to find "a perfect teacher", but if we are aware of the things mentioned above, we will be able to improve ourselves and our performance.

Hi
A 'good teacher' in whose eyes? The students, my line manager, my students' parents, my colleagues, the management's ... or mine?

Honestly I feel like I am very aware of my performance and i feel I am the best judge (after years and years) as to whether I did a good class or a good job or not. I am my own harshest critic - what about you?
Heather

Hi Heather,

You are quite right.One and the same person is considered to be an excellent, good or bad teacher. Probably, we have to make sure our students believe us and do what they are told as well as pass their exams successfully. It is more than enough and it is not important what other people say, but it is vital to possess the characteristics mentioned above in order to consider ourselves good teachers.

Hello,
I do agree that there's nothing like a good or bad teacher, it's actually a 'good' or 'not so good' class I would say and that depends on a lot of factors.
Teaching and learning complement each other , it's a two way process. Often I've noticed that the same group of students are both successful and unsuccessful or rather uncooperative learners. This change in behaviour depends on the time of the class, the subject they've had prior to mine, time of the year , topic under discussion to name a few.

A successful teacher is one who's able to perceive these aspects and do the needful to generate learning.

In my view, a Good teacher must be (few characteristics):

• a good communicator
• a good leader and a good friend
• having a good sense of humor
• adopt a fair attitude
• having good time management skills
• having the necessary command over the subject matter he teaches
• dedicated towards his work

Thanks.