How a Teacher Can Affect Student Performance

When learning a new language one’s teacher plays an important role in how they develop and increase their knowledge, as well as how motivated they are to continue studying, regardless of teaching methodology, differences in culture, age, experiences that affect students way of learning or their initial reason to start learning said language.

This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ria J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.

Teachers’ Responsibilities

A Teacher must help students learn new material and concepts as well as teach them to incorporate these concepts into their daily life. Teachers should be knowledgeable, willing to help, able to assess students’ level of learning, evaluate their students as well as their own strengths and weaknesses, be able to tailor or adapt lessons to suit the needs of the students, motivate and inspire students to learn and be able to increase the overall level of interest and enthusiasm in their students for the subject matter.

Also Read: 5 Challenges of Teaching EFL to Kindergarten Level Students

Point of View

The teacher’s attitude and interactions with students can have a profound effect on student performance. Younger students can sometimes see teachers as another parent as they are perceived as someone that has a certain level of authority. In some cultures, a teacher is seen as a role model or the ideal that needs to be emulated. Studies have shown that students who had caring and knowledgeable teachers who ensured the classroom experience was fun, interesting and purposeful were remembered in a favorable light. Positive and negative relationships between students and teachers also affect their relationships with their peers. If peer relationships are negative, it can disrupt pair and group activities during a lesson. Getting to know your students and making them feel comfortable can aid in alleviating some of these negative behaviors.

Methods of Delivering Lessons

A balance needs to be found between student-centered and teacher-centered lessons, therefore teachers wear different hats based on the class setting such as controller, organizer, assessor, facilitator, observer or model just to name a few. As a class manger, teachers may be at the front of the class explaining the lesson, an organizer getting students ready for an activity, assessing student’s knowledge and giving feedback, prompting to assist those that need help, either participating in activities or remaining as a resource for general guidance. These roles can be interchangeable throughout the lesson and are dependent upon the activity or goal they wish to achieve. Teachers, therefore, need to be aware of these changes and be able to adapt quickly and effectively to match the activity with the appropriate role.

Also Read: Should I take a TEFL course online or in a classroom?

Behavior Management

Discipline and correction of errors are vital aspects for teachers and learners, however, they need to be done in an appropriate time and manner. Teachers are responsible for creating the class dynamics, and therefore must be punctual, organized, consistent, fair, even-tempered, respectful and give equal attention to all students. These roles are important for keeping students interested in learning and creating an environment where they feel safe, confident and not embarrassed or unwilling to participate.

Also Read: How Will Brexit Affect TEFL Teachers?

Parents-Teachers Communication

Teachers not only interact with students but their parents as well. Rapport is essential in this case as a negative relationship between any combination of the three can result in the student showing a lack of interest, poor performance, or the parent being unsatisfied with the other parties involved, which could lead to the student or teacher being removed from the school. Teachers, therefore, need to be respectful and understanding of both parents and students to avoid such unfortunate situations.

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In conclusion, teachers must take their role in their student's life seriously, as they are one of the major influences in that person’s life. Their overall outlook on teaching and how they present themselves can leave a lasting impression on their students. While it is easy for new teachers to become overwhelmed or even experienced ones can burn out, it is imperative to keep in mind that their approach affects those around them and therefore should always aim to portray a positive attitude that is conducive to learning.

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