What makes a great ESL teacher

Anyone who has tried to learn a second language knows how difficult it can be. In some countries, English is the official language of instruction, making it even more challenging for non-native speakers. Students face many obstacles when learning English as a foreign language (ESL), and teachers must do everything possible to make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Here are just some of the qualities that make an ESL teacher great.

what makes a great ESL teacher

A great ESL teacher has a passion for their job and the ability to build relationships with students. They are committed to excellence, dedicated to their craft, and adaptable enough to handle changes in the classroom environment. A great ESL teacher will be culturally sensitive, learning a second language themselves so they can better understand what it might feel like for someone new to this country.

Passion for the job

• Passion for the job: A great ESL teacher is passionate about teaching English as a second language. This means they are interested in helping students learn and grow, enjoy working with people from different cultural backgrounds, and are committed to ensuring that every student has access to quality education.

• Passion for learning: It's important to have enthusiasm about learning languages-especially your own! If you love the English language, you'll be able to pass on this passion when you teach it.

• Passion for helping others: As an ESL teacher, you'll be responsible for helping students achieve their academic goals. If there's anything that makes a great teacher genuinely stand out from others, it's having a genuine concern for others' well-being and happiness-and knowing how best to help them achieve those goals without being overbearing or judgmental about personal choices.

• Passion for travel: As an ESL teacher, you'll be able to travel to different countries where English is not the primary language. This can be a great opportunity for personal growth and cultural understanding. The more you travel, the more open-minded you'll become-which will allow you to connect better with your students, who may come from very different backgrounds than yours.

The ability to build relationships

Building relationships with your students is one of the most important things you can do as an ESL teacher. You'll want to ensure that you build solid relationships with your students, so they feel comfortable asking questions and participating in class.

The best way to build relationships with your students is by being active in the classroom. Don't just sit there and go through PowerPoints - interact with them! Start off by introducing yourself at the beginning of class, and then ask questions about where they're from, how long they've been studying English, etc. This type of conversation will help break any ice between both parties quickly!

Commitment

A great ESL teacher is committed to their job. This commitment can manifest itself in many ways, from how you teach classes and interact with students to your appearance, punctuality, and professionalism at school. The students will notice how consistent you are in your approach and how seriously you take your work as an educator.

It's essential to be committed to your students too. You want them to feel safe and comfortable when they're learning English. So they must know that their teacher is there for them, which means showing up on time (or early) daily, being friendly and supportive, maintaining a positive attitude even when things get tough, etc.

Adaptability

• Adaptability. As a teacher, you need to be flexible and open-minded to meet the needs of your students. Even if a method worked for you two years ago, if it doesn't work for your current class of students, it's time to try something new!

• Willingness To Try New Things. As an ESL teacher, you'll have many different teaching methods at your disposal-but only some will work well with your current group of students. Be willing to try new things each time you teach so that you can find a suitable method for each group of people.

Cultural Sensitivity

To be the best ESL teacher you can be, you must know and understand your students' culture. This means that you need to learn some of the essential aspects of their culture: what they eat and drink, how they dress, what their traditions are, how they greet one another, etc. It also means that you must be aware of cultural differences between yourself and your students so that you can adapt your teaching style accordingly. For example, suppose a student says something that sounds rude or insulting; this may not mean anything negative in his native language but could have different meanings in English-speaking countries.

Learning a Second Language Yourself

Learning a second language yourself is an important part of being an ESL teacher. It helps you understand your students' challenges and develop empathy for them, making you more effective in the classroom. Also, it helps you be aware of how English is learned as a foreign language and gives you insight into what to teach your students so that they can become fluent English speakers.

The best way to learn a new language is immersion-living in the country where you want to speak it fluently, surrounded by native speakers who can correct any mistakes or misunderstandings on your part (which will happen). But if that's not possible right now, I recommend taking classes at community colleges or online courses with professional teachers who know how to explain things clearly without overcomplicating things. 

Not taking it all too seriously

While it's essential to maintain a serious tone and approach when teaching, you should never take yourself too seriously. Humor is integral to students' learning; if your class becomes too rigid or dull, students will lose interest quickly. Make sure that humor is used appropriately so it doesn't come off as silly or condescending. Being able to laugh at yourself can help defuse tense situations with students-and if you make a mistake while speaking, laugh it off! The best way to learn something new is by making mistakes and asking questions along the way; don't let fear of embarrassment stop you from doing either!

Conclusion

A great ESL teacher is a good listener. They are patient and understanding and know how to motivate their students to learn English. A great ESL teacher will also consider the needs of each student in class so that everyone gets what they need out of the lessons. A great ESL teacher will make learning English fun. They know how to make a lesson interesting and engaging for their students, so they never feel bored or overwhelmed by the subject matter. Finally, a great ESL teacher always supports their students-both in class and outside of it. 

Have fun teaching!