When students enrol on an EFL course or enter an EFL class, they always have their list of wants and needs. When they feel these things aren’t right and their expectations aren’t addressed, they start complaining or stop attending the course. So EFL teachers should take the following things into consideration:
1. Determining students’ levels of English.
Students come to your class with different objectives, needs and levels of English. So, you need first to start by doing something to identify each learner’s level. You can conduct a placement test to know that. Classify your class into groups according to the level of each one and adjust your activities accordingly.
2. Giving students the chance to feel they make progress.
Students need to feel a sense of progress and achievement. You can do so by telling students the objectives of each activity they do in the classroom. Then give some quizzes to measure their progress giving them immediate feedback.
3. Encouraging students and inspiring them.
Students need encouragement to keep going in their journey of learning. Encouragement for students is like fuel for the car. Praise any little progress and provide support all the time. Plan not only to teach students but to make difference in their life. Always instil positive attitudes in them toward English learning and creativity in using it. Make them convinced that the content they are being taught is meaningful and useful for their progress in life.
4. Creating interesting experiences.
When you plan your lesson, you should put in your mind that today’s students are different. They have control over their choices and spend their time differently so if you want your students to learn, learning experiences should be planned to be interesting and motivating. They should be inspiring, engaging, exciting and empowering.
5. Providing useful learning materials.
Learning materials can support student learning and increase their success. Learning materials should be tailored to the content in which they’re being used and to the students, they are using. The availability of these materials is very important. The Internet has many resources for teachers, most of them free, that can help them make their own materials. And then teachers should upload them to all students to be available at any time everywhere.
6. Covering the four main language skills.
Language skills relate to different aspects of using language such as listening, reading, writing or speaking. Skills are our ability to do these things. They are usually divided into two types: receptive and productive. Receptive skills are those used in understanding, reading or listening. Productive skills involve producing language, speaking or writing. It is important to consider the four skills when designing language learning materials. This helps to identify the objectives of each activity or lesson. It is generally accepted that receptive skills should come before productive skills, however, it is important to remember that communication is interactive and requires the use of all skills most of the time. Learning materials based on covering all skills are realistic considering the real use of language every day.
7. Keeping a good relationship with students.
Students come to the EFL classroom expecting that they will enjoy a friendly and intimate atmosphere. A comfortable learning environment is very important for students to learn and memorize what they get. Teachers should start their classes with a big smile asking students about how they are and call each student by his/her name. when the teacher starts questioning, he/she should avoid threatening or embarrassing any student. The teacher should be just a facilitator or a guide to students, not a boss.
8. Being aware of native speakers’ culture.
Foreign language is more than knowledge of some theoretical aspects like the vocabulary of grammatical items. When communication matters, Fluency becomes more important than accuracy, ideas and opinions more exciting than grammar and vocabulary. EFL teachers in the classroom should combine linguistic competence with cultural awareness. It is the knowledge of communicating beyond words. By understanding, and appreciating others’ values, customs and beliefs and the awareness of the different cultures among and around us, students will be able to absorb the foreign communicative language more easily and consider how it is different from their native language.
9. Providing immediate correction and feedback.
For students to feel a sense of achievement, they should receive immediate correction and feedback for their spoken or written answers. Such feedback can help students learn more efficiently; and if used correctly, feedback can function as a very powerful tool to motivate students to learn.
10. Being fair and flexible.
Even though life is not fair, students expect the classroom should be so. To be fair means being clear, helpful, and caring for all students all the time. In addition, you should be flexible with your students. you should have the ability to change to suit different situations. Your adaptation to new and different circumstances is the key factor that leads to success in your career in teaching EFL.
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