AboutDr. Widad Ashurax Expertise I can answer questions pertaining to the following areas: Teaching methods, evaluation of teachers, teachers` moral, curriculum design and market research, students` attrition and completion rate, students` counseling and career planning in Post Secondary Education.
Experience I was a President of private two-year school of business for over ten years, Vice president for three years, and a director of education for two years for a two-year college. Additionally, I have over twenty years of teaching experience in high school and post secondary education combined.
Organizations retired
Education/Credentials Doctorate degree in Education from Nova University
Master degree in Early Childhood from Nova University
Awards and Honors School evaluator for the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges & schools in Washington DC.
Question Hello Dr. Widad how are you? There is a specific question that I would like to ask you see. I am a native English speaker and I am teaching intermediate and advanced English to non-speakers. Could you please give me some tips and techniques on how to generally improve my effectiveness in and outside of the classroom and how can I effectively control a classroom situation and organize the situation so that I can both protect myself and gain the respect and trust of the students and administration alike? Thanks Paul.
Answer Dear Paul:
I am a firm believer that teaching any kind of languages, especially the English language, next to being proficient and qualified instructor, is to be very positive, prepared, and creative to stimulate learning, thinking, and participation in class. I presuppose that if the teacher is motivated to teach the class he/she is willing to adopt any valid teaching techniques and methods to improve his/her students’ learning and motivation level.
Here are some tips and considerations that might guide you to the direction for which you aim and hope to reach some desired aspects of your teaching:
• Must always be prepared and write your listen plan(s) with clear objectives.(Let your students know their daily objective to be engaged with their learning process)
• Divide your listen plan into units and each unit must be relative to the subject on hand.
• Make sure that each unit has a clear plan to avoid confusion in class.
• Be alert to your student’s needs to increase their attention, and improve their learning process.( change your pace by being away from your desk and walk around the class to keep them alert)
• Involve your students in the teaching process (Example: Before moving to a new unit, ask them to summarize what they have learned so far (This process will help you test their comprehension level instantly and encourage class participation.))
• Make sure that your examples have certain connection to their own environment to entice their attention.(Avoid boring examples)
• Divide your hour from lecture, hands on, creative writing, reading, conversation, and evaluation to increase their attention and motivation level.
• Scrutinize your dialog with your students to avoid any unrelated conversation that might take you off on tangent and as a result you might lose their attention. (This habit is very common with inexperienced teacher)
• Try to be very efficient at managing time in your period to help grab the students’ attention at all times.
• Again, always try to be prepared regardless of any circumstances that might arise to be in control of your class.
• Try to be in control of any problems that might occur in your class. Objectivity is your true guideline for effective class management.( insecure teacher invites chaos)
• Have a personality that can always be consistent to avoid sending any mixed signals to your students.(Do not change your class rules every time you have a problem.. always be fair)
• Make your teaching methods more effective and sensitive to your student’s age and personality to entice learning.
• Be creative and ready to invite your students to any new ideas to help them enjoy your English class. (Example: invite one of your students to come forward and explain one of your units to the entire class and grade him/her accordingly.)
• Know your subject matter to gain your students’ respect towards you and your class in general.
• Be more sensitive to your students’ restlessness which might lead to class disturbance and dissatisfaction with their entire learning process.( Again, change your velocity)
• Generate participation at each class meeting to decrease bordom and increase motivation level.
PS:
If more concrete examples are needed please be more specific and indicate your actual class problem. Good luck
