Language Across Curriculum

Module iv
Characteristics Needed For A Language Teacher

Dr. Asha A. K.
Assistant Professor, Aishabai College of Education
SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai
Characteristics Needed For A Language Teacher

• Learning a language can feel like a daunting task and a seemingly impossible achievement.
• Teaching a language, however, can seem even more intimidating.
• Fluency in a language (while definitely important) is not enough to be an effective teacher.
• Awesome language teachers are able to cater to the specific needs and preferences of each class and
manage each classroom by implementing adjustments that favour students’ language learning.
• Discover what your students enjoy the most, whether it’s doing hands-on activities, incorporating apps and
technology, reading stories, practicing conversation or making a game out of conjugation drills. They’re much
more likely to learn and remember language vocabulary and patterns when they’re enjoying themselves—as
long as it’s a little challenging, of course!
• Awesome language teachers don’t let their students be uninterested in learning because they’re able to
connect with students and let them influence their pedagogic choices.
Characteristics Needed For A Language Teacher

Content competency – A teacher should have adequate competence in the content and should
master the various methods, approaches and techniques to deliver the content effectively.

Personalise the learning environment -- Every individual learns differently. Changing the classroom
environment in a manner to customise learning can be extremely beneficial to students and lead to
increased motivation. Connecting with your students to figure out what manner of learning –
whether it is visual, audio or even kinaesthetic – works best for them.

Understanding the student’s cultural background -- A proper understanding of the students’

cultural background is essential to impart language skills.

Quality professional training -- Professional training in Second Language Education techniques and
approaches is essential. Teachers must participate in workshops, in-service training sessions and
online classes.
 Characteristics Needed For A Language Teacher

Understanding the Individual Needs of Students – Each student’s functional English level in the
areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing are different. This ongoing student assessment
helps the teacher obtain current functional levels so lessons can be targeted towards maximum
growth. e.g.

Be appreciative-- teacher should always encourage students. She should use appreciative dialogue
in the classroom (“Nice job!”; “Great point, can you further clarify?”; “Stick with it!”; “You’ll get
it!”; “You learned that fast!”; “Well said”)

Be passionate and generate passion -- A passion for teaching is an important part of the teaching
process. Sparking an interest in the language is imperative and this can be done by understanding
your student’s motivation for learning the language in the first place or even communicating the
benefits of learning the language.

Be connectable -- the division between one’s knowledge of the language and teaching skills is the
ability to connect and form relationships with students. Teachers can try using apps that are more
student-friendly and activities that students personally connect to.
Characteristics Needed For A Language Teacher

• Initiate participation -- Effective teachers elicit student participation as much as possible.

Stimulating student participation directly causes successful language learning
• Be aware of students’ development – A proper understanding of the language
development stage of students equip teachers with a better idea of customising teaching
to suit their needs in an effective manner.
• Be exploratory in teaching methods -- with the rise of technology and the incorporation
of e-learning in classrooms, methods of language teaching have changed considerably. As
an effective teacher, including the use of the technology available is vital to creating an
enhanced and more relatable classroom. A good language teacher will create a course
that weaves together all of the various learning techniques. A good teacher is also willing
to explore the different ways of teaching language, to provide her students with the best
chance to learn.
• Hold students accountable -- Even the most effective teachers can’t “make” a student
learn or pass the class if the student doesn’t focus, engage with the language and put in
the effort. Bringing a positive attitude and having the motivation to learn them is crucial
to their learning process.
Characteristics Needed For A Language Teacher

• Continuous assessment and improvement -- Teachers should continuously strive to improve their own
teaching and language abilities. Ways to do so include analysing one’s own practices and learning from
peers. Teachers ultimately also remain lifelong students, and effective tutors share what they are
learning as well as show what it looks like to be a learner.
• Evaluate students – Evaluate the progress of students and figure out how successful one’s teaching
methods are. Necessary changes in methods should be made in accordance with it.
• Getting constant feedback -- How do students respond to lessons and educational activities? Do they
give any feedback? What kind?
• Encouraging English Conversations & Involvement Outside the Classroom -- Students who actively
engage outside the classroom in extracurricular or community activities cultivate friendships and
interests which help with broadening language acquisition. They can be encouraged to join various
school- and community-related activities based on their interests. Another suggestion is joining groups
and clubs that build on an international focus like language clubs and service organisations.
Enumerate the qualities of a good
language teacher.

Thank you

Dr. Asha A. K.

Assistant Professor

Aishabai College of Education

SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai