How does one become a good teacher?

Question

I realize this is a rather vague question, so I'll try to explain: I teach English to mainly adult students, one to one lessons. They are all non-native speakers of varying levels and abilities. I want to be able to teach, one-to-one, to all levels and abilities. I try a lot of eliciting answers rather than giving, conversation practice, native culture and natural speaking methods. Anyone have any other ideas?

Answer 1

Have you tried getting with ESOL teachers or literacy groups and getting suggestions?

Answer 2

Oh my goodness! My students go to school for at least a year to learn the answer to this question. I have a Master's degree in it. That's why it'll be hard for me to distill the answer to the question in one brief answer. Perhaps I'll just give you some referrals for books instead:
Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language by Celce-Murcia
How Languages are Learned by Lightbown and Spada
PACE Yourself (published by TESOL)
Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen by Lee and VanPatten
Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Richards and Rogers

If you don't have any previous training, start with PACE Yourself, and then work through the other books on the list as much as you'd like. I can actually recommend more, depending on what you'll be teaching, such as if you're going to teach grammar. But this list will be quite comprehensive for now.

And consider taking courses at the university level that will help you be an ESL teacher, if you haven't done so already. Many universities offer TESOL certificates that help you to learn how to be an ESL teacher. And depending on where you live there might be other training opportunities.

Feel free to e-mail if you have more questions.

Answer 3

I have never taught as a head instructor but I did teach trig, basic electronic principles and composition to freshmen and junior level college students as an assistant and as a one-on-one tutor. What I learned was that not all students learn the same, not all students want to learn and that there were some students that I just could not teach. Try to be patient but try not to be all things to all students, that is a sure way to burn out. Take your failures along with your successes. If you do this you will enjoy teaching and by enjoying it you will share your enthusiasm with the students that do truly want to learn.

Answer 4

One does not become a good teacher unless you are proficient in the subject you are teaching. You also need to know and understand human behavior and when to say "I don't know, but I can look it up for you". You either are a good teacher or you are not. I think that this is the problem with our education system today.

Answer 5

Illustrate concepts with silly demonstrations and exaggerated silent-film type comedy. For example, to explain the difference between, "I lie on the floor" and "I am lying on the floor," actually get out of your chair and lie down on the floor. Once the student sees that you're having fun and you're not afraid to make fun of yourself, s/he will be more relaxed and confident in speaking as well.