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Keep English Real!
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Set a Great Example!

2/21/2017

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Hi Everyone,

Today it is all about setting a great example – not just in the way you present yourself or in the way that you carry yourself as a leader – but also in the way you present your classroom, the amount of effort you put into preparing engaging materials and classes, and in the way you interact with your students, your students’ parents, and your colleagues.

Setting a Great Example: Personal Level
Setting a great example involves actively thinking about the way others see you. It involves taking stock of the way you carry yourself, the way you interact with others, and the way you present the knowledge you possess.

Some of the key factors you might like to consider when trying to set a great example for your students could include being on time, dressing the part, speaking in a respectful way, having knowledge, effectively sharing and presenting your knowledge, listening well, caring, being curious, and always trying your best. 
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Setting a Great Example: Classes and Classroom Level
Setting a great example also requires you to think about the subtle messages your environment (i.e. your classroom and workspaces) sends about you. This is because as educators our workspaces and the quality of classes are under constant scrutiny and are often viewed as reflections of ourselves. To be sure, this scrutiny does not just come from concerned (and sometimes overzealous) parents and facility managers, but also from our students, colleagues, and any special guests we invite into our educational spaces.

This being true then it is clear to see how thinking about the way we present our classrooms, workspaces, classes, and activities  should be taken into consideration when thinking about how to set good examples for our students.

Some of the things educators can do to highlight their professionalism and dedication to their students in the classroom and other educational spaces include delivering fun and/or engaging classes, ensuring your learning area is a safe and welcoming space (both physically and emotionally), ensuring in-group membership by actively encouraging and respecting all learners equally, having educational spaces that are suitable for your students’ needs and expectations, and by reflecting on your teaching practices and style to ensure your classes are educational, engaging, and effective.
 
Of course there are many other things you can do (and not do) to set a great example for your students, but the above ideas are a perfect place to start. Of course, if you have any thoughts, tips, or feedback on this issue then I would love to hear from you – just post your feedback in the comments section of this post.

Thank you for reading and remember to set a great example for someone today (even if it just for yourself),
 
Josh

Keep English Real!

josh esl, josh efl, efl josh, esl josh, teaching English in Korea, how to teach English, TESOL, eslblog, eflblog, efljosh, esljosh.com, efljosh.com, IELTS, KOTESOL leadership for teachers, teacher's mindset, positive teaching, set a great example
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Teachers - Don't Stop Learning!

2/6/2017

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In today’s post I am going to try to inspire and motivate all of the teachers (language teachers and otherwise) out there to really invest in learning. Yes, that's right. Not teaching - but learning. Learning to be a better presenter, learning to be a better communicator, learning to be a better listener, and learning to be more professional. Actually, learning anything at all that you think will help you become a better educator and help your students achieve their goals.

Sure, you can get away with stagnating and failing to grow as an educator, but wouldn’t it be better to invest a bit of time each week trying to learn things that will make your job easier and improve the quality of education you provide your students?

Of course it would be.
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The ways we can improve our own teaching is almost limitless. Here are a few ideas for you:
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  • Take a class: Just by being a student you can get a clearer perspective of what it’s like to learn something new. You can see what the teacher does (the good, the bad, and the interesting) and draw from that.
  • Team teach: Ask a co-teacher to teach a class with you. This affords you an opportunity to learn from each other.
  • Record your class: Make a video recording of your class and then get some popcorn, sit back, and watch. You don’t need to show anyone else. You don’t need to broadcast it on YouTube (unless it is really awesome, really bad, or really funny – then please do share it). All you need to do is reflect and think about how you can improve, think about what you did well, and think about the ‘value add’ you provide your students.
  • YouTube is your friend: Need ideas? Go to YouTube. Simple! (e.g. JoshEsl on YouTube)
  • Professional organizations are also your friend: When was the last time you checked out http://www.tesol.org/ or http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/? These organizations run great websites to help you in your chosen career. Take the time to see what they have to offer.
  • Get outside the box: Professional organizations and websites etc. related to teaching your chosen subject matter are great resources, but don’t forget the benefits of looking elsewhere for new ideas, information, and inspiration. My favorites include http://www.criticalthinking.org/ and https://www.coursera.org/​

I know these ideas are not overly novel, nor are they overly original, but they are necessary – especially if you wish to be an effective, dynamic, and innovative educator.

Thank you for reading.
 
Josh

Keep English Real!
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    Josh's ESL Blog

    Josh' blog about teaching ESL/EFL in Seoul, South Korea.

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