Video transcript
Ever wonder about what kind of teacher you really are? Today I’m having a look at five different styles of teaching and I guarantee you’ll relate to at least one. Ready to see where you fit in? Keep watching and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!
If this is the first time we’re meeting, I’m Jo Gakonga, I’ve been teaching for 35 years and training teachers on CELTA and MA TESOL programmes for 25 of those. I’ve also got a website at ELT-Training.com where I make video-based material for teachers at all stages of their careers. Check it out and don’t forget to like and subscribe if you want to see more – I make a new video every week.
So, what kind of teacher are you? Which lesson stage describes your favourite teacher self? Is it…
The Warmer-Upper?
Are you the teacher who kicks off every lesson with a bang? You thrive on those engaging warm-up activities, and your learners love it too. You’ve got that special knack for building rapport: you know what your students were up to over the weekend and they can’t wait to tell you about it. But here’s the question. Do those warm-ups sometimes run a bit long? Are you sacrificing precious time that could be spent on other crucial parts of the lesson? If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “We’ve been warming up for half the class!” – you might be a Warmer-Upper.
The Explainer?
Give you a piece of grammar or a chunk of vocabulary and you’re in your element. You love breaking things down, making complex ideas accessible. Your students nod along, clearly getting it – because you’re that good at explaining. But here’s a thought: Are you spending a bit too much time explaining when your students could be practicing? It’s a fine line between being thorough and over-explaining. If you find yourself tempted to explore every detail, you might just be an Explainer.
The Checker?
You’re the teacher who wants to be absolutely sure your students understand. You ask question after question, ensuring that no one is left behind. But sometimes, could this be a bit much? Is your classroom turning into a guessing game, where students are trying to figure out what’s in your head? Maybe there’s a quicker way to get everyone on the same page. If you’re nodding along, perhaps you’re a Checker.
The Gap-Filler?
You’re a big fan of controlled practice – those neat and tidy gap-fill exercises where students work quietly on their own. You like the order and the focus, and you’re great at clearing up misunderstandings during feedback. But is there a danger of sticking too closely to the script? Could your students benefit from a bit more freedom and creativity? If you’re often reaching for a printed worksheet, you might be a Gap-Filler.
The Free Practicer?
You’re all about giving your students the chance to actually use the language. You understand the importance of fluency and confidence, so you make sure there’s plenty of time for group work and breakout room discussions. But sometimes, do you wonder if that time could be used more effectively, especially with your more advanced learners? Are they really getting the most out of those sessions? If you’re always pushing for more speaking time, you could be a Free Practicer.
So, which one are you? Or maybe you’re a mix of a few! Remember, there’s no right or wrong here – every style has its strengths and areas for growth. Let me know in the comments below and if you’re looking for development ideas to be the best teacher you can be, head on over to elt-training.com
