THE ROLES OF TEACHERS IN TEFL By: Daniel Chirino Teaching English as a foreign language is a process that not only

requires the development of skills, competences or abilities, it also needs of a person called teacher. According to Bugwadia (2010) a teacher is someone who not only teaches or imparts knowledge, but also, someone responsible for shaping and molding the minds and hearts of all those whom they teach. For me, a teacher is a person who provides gives instructions, guides, directs and facilitates the construction of knowledge; and teaches her/his students through examples and experiences. In TEFL, a teacher has different roles, which depend on the learning level in which students are, and how fluency and accuracy are addressed in students. Brown (2001) states that knowledge and performance of a student of a second or foreign language can be placed in three levels: The first level is beginners level, in this stage students can be divided into absolute beginners (those who do not have previous knowledge about English) and false beginners (those who have previous knowledge about English); taking into account this, the role of the teacher is act as a model, friend, motivator, leader and communicator. The teacher have to use simple vocabulary, articulate words clearly and try to talk slow, use simple techniques as repetitions, move grammatical topics from simple to complex. The second level is intermediates level, in this stage students start to ask questions, make comments, interact among each other, etc.; then, the role of the teacher is act as a guide and mediator of the knowledge. The teacher must speak at a natural pace with clear articulation, and have to use chain stories, polls, interviews, storytelling, role plays, problem solving activities, etc.; as activities in order to develop English skills and learn grammar rules. Finally, the third level is advances level, in this stage students generate questions and participate actively; as result of this, the role of the teacher is acting as feedback providers, which respond to the restlessness of his/her students. The teacher can use a wide selection of vocabulary, structures, idioms, etc.; also, he/she can use debates, argumentation, complex role plays, determining and questioning authors intent, writing critiques and essays, etc.; as activities in order to build the sociolinguistic, pragmatic and strategic competence of his/her students. References: Bugwadia, G. (2010). The definition of a teacher. [On line]. July, 28, 2013. Taken from: <http://www.helium.com/items/1767180-definition-of-a-teacher> Brown, D. (2001). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language .