There are three common descriptions of teaching: Teaching is a science, teaching is an art, and teaching is a craft.
1. Teaching is a science
It’s a science in that there are strategies and practices that a body of research has shown to be effective in enhancing learning.
Just like doctors, effective teachers use research and research-based theories to justify their practices.
Teaching is a science also in that teachers should constantly collect data by observing their students in order to see if learning is taking place and how their students learn best.
And, like scientists, teachers experiment with new techniques or strategies to see how they work.
2. Teaching is an art
It is an art in that teachers must bring themselves fully into their teaching.
To make a success in teaching, you must discover your own unique talents and learn how to use them to help your students achieve the desired learning goals and objectives.
As a teacher, you will need to find the methods and strategies that work best for you with your students. because what works for one teacher may not work for another.
Thus, all the teaching strategies that you learn should be adopted and adapted to fit your particular teaching situation and your personal teaching style.
3. Teaching is a craft
A craft is a skill or set of skills learned through experience.
Teaching might also be described as a craft because good teachers develop and continually refine their craft over time through experience and continued study and reflection.
Final Word
These are the three common descriptions of teaching. What about your own description? How would you describe teaching? How does this description affect your teaching practice?
Let me know your thought by leaving a comment below or by emailing me at: eltguide@gmail.com
Thanks For Reading
Want More In-Depth Content On English Language Teaching?
(NOW OPEN!) Subscribe To Access My ELT Premium Content
Looking For The Best TEFL Courses?! Your Search is Over!
Start With ITA Now!
The ELT training that you will receive at ITA is invaluable that you will be well prepared as an EFL/ESL teacher.
I’m sure you will be amazed by their:
- Countless TEFL courses,
- Course structure,
- Alumni community,
- High number of practicum hours,
- Customer service,
- Lifetime TEFL job assistance,
- Reviews and credentials.
Start now with ITA to make a difference in your TEFL journey teaching online or abroad.
You can also join my email list not only to be notified of the latest updates on elttguide.com but also to get TWO of my products: Quick-Start Guide To Teaching Listening In The Classroom & Quick-Start Guide To Teaching Grammar In The Classroom For FREE!
Join My Email List Now (It’s FREE)!
Want to Continue Your ELT Professional Development?
I offer various ELT publications on teaching English as a foreign language.
In these publications, I put the gist of my experience in TEFL for +20 years with various learners and in various environments and cultures.
The techniques and tips in these publications are sure-fire teaching methods that worked for me well and they can work for you, as well, FOR SURE.
Go ahead and get a look at these publications to know more about each one of them and the problem & challenge each one focuses on to overcome.
Then, you can get what you have an interest in. It is very easy and cheap. You can afford it and you’ll never regret it if you decide to get one of them, FOR SURE.
