What do you expect from a teacher?
I'm starting to realize that teaching methods vary a great deal. Personally, I like someone who makes me speak in the target language and knows the right questions to ask at the right time, who is patient and knows what I will benefit from the most.
Talking at me in my target language isn't really teaching, neither is listening and correcting me after I am having to constantly ask "was that correct?" I think using various techniques and methods to get the most out of a lesson is paramount.. the teacher has to be in charge with keeping the student engaged.
This next point is so vital.....Any awkward silences or me having to look through my notes to see what we should do/say next is considered bad teaching in my book.. I've had these experiences and I continue to try and learn from them..
What experiences have you had on here good or bad that have made you adjust the way you learn?
What do you expect from someone that calls themselves a teacher?
Many thanks!!
Rob
Search from various English teachers...
Corrections · 6
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On the other side of the coin, I actually prefer a tutor who will often talk to me in English to explain things. I like to practice my Chinese, of course, but I have language exchange partners to do the bulk of my practicing with. I mostly use the teacher to get information on common mistakes I make. I am a beginner in Mandarin Chinese. (By the way, if anyone's looking for a Chinese teacher, you should sign up with Melaminefree. He is a great teacher!)
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Unfortunately, all students have different ideas for what is best to do as well. One thing students should keep in mind is the difference between community tutors and professional teachers on this website. Technically, community tutors (like me!) are not expected to have materials prepared. We are meant to help students who already know what they want to work on. Professional teachers are supposed to be the ones with lesson plans prepared and such. Despite this, I'd say 80% of my students expect me to have something prepared anyway, so I guess I just do it in advance now.
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Hi Paulo, no need for any apologies, your English is superb! Yes I have had that experience not just on iTalki but also on other platforms with teachers who do this exact thing. It can be worrying as being so elementary in another language, you would expect them to be guiding you and and pushing conversation all the time...
I had a friend who asked the teacher every single lesson to ask him the same set of ten questions in different ways because although he thought she was a lovely person, her teaching skills weren't up to scratch! He managed to build up great confidence and listening skills but would have really wanted for the teacher to be the one to suggest ideas like that not the student.
It takes all sorts I guess!
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Rob, oh oh oh, I understand you so well...I already had some very disturbing periods of silence, where the teacher expected me to ask him questions, as if a lesson should be questions and answers. I expect from a lesson to be a way for me to get enrolled in a conversation, especially in chinese, which is so hard to start talking with all the fonetic problems and words that are so alike. I have been trying some teachers and the sound quality in China is mostly worring. When I get some chinese teacher in the States it is mucher better. Let us hope an improvement and to get better teachers. Sorry for my english.
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You should change your teachers! I don't think they are really teachers. It seems the lessons you had were bad conversation lessons and a language exchange partner may do better than your teachers. A teacher should be well-organized either for each class or a whole teaching period. He/she should be active and keep the student engaged as you said. I think the most important part of learning a language is to be able to communicate and make others understand, a conversation class should be relax and fun. They should give you grammar and pronunciation lessons and they can correct you most in these classes.
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