English Essay needing corrections QUESTION: A teacher’s ability to relate well with students is more important than excellent knowledge of the subject being taught. It is really hard to discuss which of this two abilities is more important, as both of them are compulsory in any good teacher. On one hand, the ability to connect with the students is vital in order to be able to motivate them and to be sure that they are understanding what is being taught. A good teacher should be communicative and empathetic with the students. On the other hand, if the teacher has not a good knowledge about the subject that is being taught, there is few that he or she could do to make the students evolve in their studies. I think the main point here is what kind of students do we have, and what is the subject being taught. If we are talking about basic or high school students or about about a subject that is not very complicated, such as theoretical driving lessons, the social abilities would be more important than the excellent knowledge. These kinds of students and subjects need an active teacher who can motivate their audience, connect with their specific difficulties and help them in their learning process. However, when it comes to more complicated subjects or more advances students, the excellent knowledge becomes a “must-have” ability for the teacher. Imagine a quantum-physics class with a friendly teacher that barely know the basics of the subject, and who have to deal with advanced college or PhD students. In this cases, the knowledge is more important than the social abilities. When the students are grown-up persons that know what they want to learn and do not need anybody motivating them, teacher's social abilities are secondary. In conclusion, there are not a general rule about which abilities are more important in any teacher, but it depends on the context that we are referring to. Perhaps there is an exception to this, as I find one characteristic that I believe is really important for every teacher: their interest in what he or she is doing. To be good at something you must really like it, so a good teacher should either love the subject that he is teaching or like to teach other people. The most they like one (or both) of these aspects of their work, the best teachers they would be.