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In the time that I have spent teaching English as a foreign language, I do believe that I have

experienced and seen it all - not just the good, the bad, and the ugly, but also the hilarious, the
mind-boggling, and the downright weird. Moreover, in that time, I have come to understand and
appreciate that being the teacher means needing to continue keeping an open mind and being
able to roll with the punches, come what may.

Despite all the years of my life that I have invested in my vocation as as teacher, I find that the
more I know, the more I realize that I don’t know. This realization is as true and humbling as it
is paradoxical. The fact is that just because I am the teacher, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a
thing or two that I can’t learn for myself.

I chose the field of English as a foreign language for the reason that it requires not only attention
to detail and knowledge of grammatical rules, but also because it signifies the need for
empathy, patience, compassion, and an open mind. Come to think of it, it would be better said
that the teaching field chose me. Call it fate, call it a calling, but most of all, call it an ongoing
acknowledgement that one cannot learn without teaching, just as one cannot teach without
learning.

With that being said, teaching is also about sharing; hence, I would like to share some of my
best teaching hacks, which are mostly, but not exclusively, for EFL:

● The 30/70 rule. Referring to the ideal proportion of time that a teacher should speak
versus the student should, this was one of the most difficult concepts for me to
comprehend. As much as I enjoy blabbing, chatting, and rambling, I now acknowledge
that though it may be temporarily more enjoyable for the teacher, the student needs his
or her time to articulate themselves (including during the infamous “silent period” of
language learning). The point is to listen more than you speak. Regardless of who is
the one learning English, you may learn something yourself. Which leads me to my next
point…
● Utilize sufficient wait time. Critical for any effective teacher, it is imperative not to talk
over your student. Give him or her ample time to process the question, think about their
answer, and interpret it from their native language(s). Now, this does not mean that you
or your students should have to endure long stretches of awkward, unproductive silence,
but allowing your budding scholar the opportunity to genuinely think about their response
is key. Remember, you don’t want your kid blindly answering to comply because they
feel like the clock is ticking on their reply. After all, sometimes the most dangerous word
to mindlessly use in any language is, “Yes.”
● Bring props/tangibles/visuals/manipulatives. Bring them ALL! Regardless of your
teaching platform, for visual learners, a simple mind map, an opportunity to sketch note
(http://www.verbaltovisual.com/what-is-sketchnoting/), or a piece of realia can make all
the difference, going from merely verbal to also visible. Young students in particular
really gravitate toward what they can actually see and touch, thus facilitating memory.
On that note, also remember to make a point letting your mouth be as visible as possible
when you speak (i.e. - Don’t talk to the whiteboard), use English subtitles when showing
video clips, and color code if possible to further benefit your visual learners (and all
learners!).
● Speak another language (besides English!). The benefits of being a real-life
language learner when you are teaching a foreign language cannot be understated, as
you subsequently become more linguistically and culturally sensitive to others. Time and
time again, it has been proven that learning a second or additional language helps to
improve your understanding of your first language. Moreover, by making yourself
linguistically vulnerable when speaking a language other than English, you become a
living language role model for your budding scholars. In short: be a better person -
speak another language!
● The affective filter - It’s all about empathy. Regardless of whatever additional tongue
you are trying to master, language learning can undoubtedly be a trying endeavor. Add
an acutely stressful situation into the mix (such as an exam, an oral interview, or having
to suddenly defend your important point of view), and you may very well find yourself
stammering and stuttering. A relaxed student is generally a more fluent student and a
better learner. While avoiding stressful circumstances altogether is impossible, it is still
important for the teacher to try to lower the affective filter whenever possible to
encourage a student and promote better and more effective language learning.
● Marvelous, Magical, Mystical Music - Did you know that music/singing therapy is a
common practice for stroke victims who need to recover their speech? Indeed. The
areas of the brain associated with language learning are NOT the same as those
associated with musical capacities. When teaching English, why not tap into a
universally fun facet of all societies and cultures and make the language-learning
process more enjoyable? Not completely convinced? Remember that the enjoyable
and easily accessible practice of listening to music in the target language is an excellent
accent-reduction tool, and can help the student expand their vocabulary more easily.
● Take full advantage of technology - What a time to be alive! - Learning a foreign
language has really never been more critical and in demand, but also more accessible
and easier for both the student and the teacher. The internet is not just a great way to
argue with strangers on Facebook and look at pictures of cute cats. It is also an
indispensable resource for being able to communicate with others and to share linguistic
knowledge, questions, tools, and experiences
○ www.Rewordify.com (for simplifying texts to make them more comprehensible
while not taking away from the content)
○ www.WordReference.com - An excellent online bilingual reference resources,
complimented by frequented forums with native speakers of English, Spanish,
French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and so on.
○ www.ESLCafe.com - Yet another superb resource with forums and language
learning and teaching tips and tricks of the trade.
○ www.ConversationExchange.com - If a person is looking to have extra, authentic
practice, they can always find a tandem language partner via this website to
meet up with in person or virtually. Most every language spoken on Earth can be
found on this webpage (including South African Sign language and even
Klingon!).
● Follow your gut - Just like in real life, authentic and relevant learning can never be
100% by the book. While textbooks and other forms of references have great value,
language, just like life itself, is unscripted. Some students have special learning needs,
some students have gaps in their learning, and all students have their distinct
weaknesses… but that is perfectly okay. If a topic or lesson is not working out for
whatever reason, a skilled teacher knows how to recognize the situation, think on his/her
feet, and shift gears toward a method or means of teaching that will work for their
students.

In summation, teaching English as a foreign language is not for the faint of heart - but while it
can be equal parts exhausting and unpredictable, it is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the
most rewarding and fulfilling jobs out there.
It is my sincere hope that value can be found in at least one of these “teaching hacks,” though
there are obviously many, many more. For all language teachers and learners: What are some
of YOUR terrific teaching tips and tools?

- Ms. Lauren White

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