THE TEACHER'S ROLE

During my masters’, I had a professor who said some enlightening things every class…They were, as we say, real food for thought.
One day, he said that the teacher’s role was asymmetric to the students’ roles in class. I usually say something similar but not so poetic: the teacher knows better (or least, he or she should).
I don’t mean to say teachers know it all and students don’t.
I don’t believe information and knowledge form a one-way street that should only go from the teacher to the student.
But I don’t think the students should, for example, decide whether they will do a certain exercise or how, either.
Or that they should talk among themselves to clarify doubts that they shouldn’t be having.
Students and teachers can and should work together but the teacher is the LEADER.
So this is what I mean:
If you have the knowledge of how your class should be conducted, if you know the reason why you are planning it like this, if you are aware of your objectives, and how to reach them (that’s is, by the way, the reason for a class plan), you will most probably be confident enough to carry on this plan / class and consequently gain your students’ trust. The class atmosphere will be inviting and people will feel confident to follow the leader – yes, that is your role. This is why it’s asymmetric, you prepared yourself to take them on this journey. You know more about what is at stake.
If you are not prepared, you might not feel confident to persuade them to come along with you, because you yourself do not know where that path will end.
Exercise your leadership with your students. Be prepared to explain why you believe this is the best path, be prepared to make them ‘visualize’ where they are heading, be prepared to say ‘yes’ to a relevant contribution as much as to say ‘no’ to what is irrelevant at that moment, and ‘maybe you should try something else’ to a student’s inadequate line of action.
Do not fear to step into your role. Your students need you. Be ready to guide them.
Have a great week and feel welcome to comment this post!
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Tânia Regina Peccinini De Chiaro é graduada em Letras pela FFLCH e mestre na área de linguagem e educação pela Faculdade de Educação, ambas da USP. Como diretora da Link English Projects, desenvolve projetos corporativos de capacitação profissional para o atendimento de clientes estrangeiros em inglês e cuida da capacitação de professores. Tânia é autora de Inglês para restaurantes e Inglês para hotelaria pela Disal Editora.
E-mail: tania@linkenglish.com.br