By the end of this session you should:

mExplore your attitude towards

you as an English learner & you as
an English teacher

mState the many characteristics of

an effective teacher

mCategorise the characteristics of

teachers into three main groups
(personal, professional and ethical)
 ou as an English
Learner
What were your feelings when you were a
student learning English?
How would you rate your English proficiency?
OExtremely good
OI·m quite confident
ONeed to work on it
OWho cares?
Number the skills that you are most proficient as
4 and the least proficient as 1
Reading/ Writing/Speaking/Listening
 !o you agree?
1. People with a general command
of a foreign language can·t teach
it very effectively. (T/F)

2. People with an excellent

command of a foreign language
will surely be an excellent
language teacher. (T/F)
 mWork in groups
mReflect on your own
learning experiences.
mHave you had an excellent
English teacher during your
school days?
mTry to identify as many
qualities as possible of your
best English teacher(s).
mNote down all the qualities
that you think are important
for a good English teacher.
 Accepts when things don·t go according to plans
Willingness to work harder Watch children to get feedback
curious patient
Problem solvers Suspends judgement

creative questions

committed Flexible/ adaptable

Able to deal with conflict Evaluates/ reflects

Open to new ideas A life long learner

Willing to take risks Works well with others

A strong sense of self esteem and a belief in themselves

ãProfessional qualities
are necessary, but only
professional qualities
aren·t enough.

ã What are the other

elements necessary to
make a good language
teacher?
There are a variety of elements
that contribute to the qualities
of a good language teacher.
These elements can be
categorized into 3 groups:
I. ethic devotion, (Motivation
based on ideas of right and
wrong)
II. professional qualities
III. personal styles
' Work in groups and decide which adjectives
describe ethic devotion, which describe personal
styles and which describe professional qualities.

1. kind 8. patient 15. Punctual

2. creative 9.attentive 16. humorous
Having inner resources; practiced or
3. resourceful 10.imaginative:
flexible Able
17. toprofessionally-
"someone adjust
who readily to is
is resourceful
4. well-prepared 11. capable of dealing different
with conditions
enthusiastic trained situations"
difficult
5. accurate 12. disciplined 18. hardworking
6. caring 13. authoritative 19. fair
Characterized by action or forcefulness or
7. dynamic 14. warm-hearted 20. reflective
force of personality
' Red: Professional Qualities
' Green : Ethical Qualities
' Black: Personal Qualities.

1. kind 8. patient 15. Punctual

2. creative 9. attentive 16. humorous
3. resourceful 10. flexible 17. professionally-
4. well-prepared 11. enthusiastic trained
5. accurate 12. disciplined 18. hardworking
6. caring 13. authoritative 19. fair
7. dynamic 14. warm-hearted 20. reflective
The most important and most
difficult part of the making of a
good language teacher is the
development of professional
competence, which is the quality of
being qualified for the profession,
and armed with a specific range of
skills, strategies, knowledge and
ability.
 ãTeachers benefit from practice if
they keep on reflecting on what they
have been doing

ãTeachers should reflect on their

work not only after they finish a
certain period of practice but while
they·re doing the practice as well
 !O OU THINK
OU CAN TEACH
ENGLISH?