Program Fast TEFL

Learning teaching skillsThe thing that distinguishes a teacher from his student is not only the knowledge but how to deliver that knowledge. Teachers have the difficult task of teaching authentic, correct knowledge and at the same time keeping their class well-focused. To make sure that the teachers are keeping their students attention they have to learn to teach dynamically, strategically, and emotionally. Teachers have to teach dynamically. A static class will only bore the students and hinder them from paying attention. A teacher has to use whatever she has at her disposal. The more the better. Visual aids such as, projectors, photos, videos and internet are the best forms. students don't only learn with their ears but also with their eyes. Besides listening and watching the teacher, it is important for them to see and listen to each other during group activities. Group activities add to the dynamism of the class. Its also important for teacher to get students out of their seat and move around. She should activate their knowledge with fun games and skits. If it's possible, the teacher can take her students out of school and take the lesson outside in the park. Teachers have to teach strategically. Benjamin Bloom stratified learning into a ?spectrum? of tasks which he called a taxonomy. One of the reasons Bloom's taxonomy is famous is because of its efficiency and effectiveness. From the least cognitively demanding to the most are; knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Knowledge is just the ability to recall something. Comprehension means that you understand the knowledge so well that you can teach it. However, the road doesn't end there because comprehension is fortified by the next steps. Application means doing something after being shown how to do it. Like an English teacher showing students how to do one question and lets them carry on with the rest. Analysis means breaking a complex whole into parts, and looking at each part in detail. Synthesis challenges the student with extended writing and problem-solving. Learners use whatever skill, knowledge, and experience in order to complete the task. Lastly, evaluation is to give the value of something, in other words, to state its strengths and weaknesses. By this, Bloom doesn't mean for the teacher to evaluate the student, rather the student to evaluate others and himself. This is the stage where the student knows what the teacher knows. Teachers have to teach emotionally. By emotion I don't mean unwisely but with a more caring approach to the students needs and goals. The teacher has to be involved with her students. She has to know their weaknesses and their strengths. A smart teacher will use the student?s strengths and attack the weaknesses. She has to make sure the students understand. If they don't she would try to give as much time to each student as possible. Feelings are reciprocal. When students see the care they will be motivated to learn. Once the students realize that the teacher cares for her students, they will learn to trust her. It is this trust that boosts the confidence of the student to learn and yearn to come the next day. By teaching dynamically, strategically, and emotionally, the teacher will be able to do what few teachers can do today, teach. Teaching doesn't simply have the selfish sense of teaching and leaving the class. Teachers have a responsibility of reasonably trying utmost for their students in hope that they will understand and it will motivate them to improve their life. Bibliography: Petty, Geoff (2009) Teaching today, London: Nelson Thornes Ltd.