In this post I am going to be continuing my discussion on the importance of the teacher-student relationship.
As you already know, the teacher–student relationship is one of the most important relationships that a person will ever experience in their life.
With this in mind, and in honor of the teacher-student relationship, I have decided to do another post on the topic. After all, I think something this important deserves more than just a few lines.
In this post I am going to list ten ideas related to building positive relationships with your students. I believe that by implementing these tips (and the tips mentioned in my previous post on this topic) you will be able to create classroom environments that are able to meet your students' developmental, emotional and academic needs.
(My post would not be complete without a cute little video.)
1. Care: All too often it seems teachers just don’t care. Don’t be that person! Care for your learners.
2. Listen: Listen to your students. They can teach us teachers a thing or two.
3: Be patient: Sometimes your learner just won’t pick up what you’re puttin’ down (check me out with the slang - I am so hip). Be patient. Learning a language (or any subject) takes time. Don’t make the student feel stupid or inferior by applying pressure - just be patient.
4: Be genuine: Building a positive and valuable relationship requires you to be genuine.
5. Be interested: Take an interest in your students. You do not always need to focus on grammar and vocabulary (or math and science etc.). Take the time to learn about your students. Be interested in them as people, not just as students.
6. Be interesting: No one likes a boring teacher. It is so much easier to form bonds with your students if you or your classes are interesting.
7. Encourage inclusivity: Our classrooms must encourage collaboration and sharing between all parties – parents, teachers, and students. They also must be places where all students are included in a supportive, judgment free, and productive way. This inclusive environment will ultimately promote a sense of belonging and result in increased levels of trust between all parties.
8. Be generous with your time: I know it can be hard to give a student your time when you have been teaching for four hours straight and need a coffee (or a sandwich), but this is the time to step up to the plate and care (see tip one). The simple act of spending a few minutes with a student who needs you can have a huge impact on your student’s life (especially if you deal with younger learners or teenagers).
9. Be sensitive to the individual learner: Teachers should try to understand each of their learners’ individual needs and backgrounds. Doing this really shows you care for each student on a personal level.
10. Be awesome: Try to go above and beyond the call of duty (boom – a cliché for you) for your students. You can do this by following the above nine tips and then combining it with whatever it is that makes you a great teacher and a great person. For me, I try to make people smile. For you, maybe you like to get out in the playground and kick the ball with the students, or help the student who forgot his lunch, or even just offer your students a warm welcome each day. Whatever it is - just be awesome.
Wow – ten tips, several idioms, one slang phrase, and a cliché. This is a post for the ages.
In closing I would like to say that I am sure that if you implement these tips (along with the tips I provided you with here) you will find your job more rewarding, feel more connected to your students, and provide an even more positive learning environment than you do already.
Have a great day,
Josh
Keep English Real!