How to Become the Best Teacher: Students’ Advice

Your students can help you be a better teacher. Here are 10 tips to do it.

Understanding the learning styles of your students can help you become a better teacher. And in this way, you can even learn from them.

Every student is different, each with their own unique, individual qualities. If you learn to recognize these and take advantage of them, you’ll certainly become a better teacher. 

You have a unique opportunity to engage in a dynamic process that will have a positive outcome for you and your students.

You have a unique opportunity to engage in a dynamic process that will have a positive outcome for you and your students.

Let Your Students Help You Be a Better Teacher for Them

1. 1

   A good teacher always has objectives

   A positive approach is essential to a make it clear to your students what they need to study at the start of each lesson that day. A clearly planned learning structure and classroom management will make it easier and more achievable for students to learn effectively – in itself a motivating factor. Teaching is a dynamic process, so respecting their dignity and individuality will gain their approval. Build a relationship with mutual trust and active involvement.

2. 2

   Have purposeful direction 

   As the organiser, manager, and possible designer of the entire learning experience, set down guides, such as to-do lists or a step-by-step lesson plan. Provide a grounding by outlining the basic content of the subject and its relevant terminology. Knowing the basic principles of the subject makes things more understandable for the learner.

3. 3

   Remain firm and consistent

   As a teacher, be firm from the beginning. Students respect a teacher who is confident and consistent. It doesn’t pay to be too nice, but you don’t need to be a tyrant either. You’ll always find students in a class who play the wise guy and think they know better and try to question or distract you. But, they are also distracting the rest of the class. Stay constant and don’t lose direction. Establish boundaries, as these make students feel secure. 

   Students do not like teachers who are too soft and mild.

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5. 4

   Be assertive

   If you notice that a student seems distracted or stressed, find out why. There could be a number of reasons for this. They could be experiencing personal problems or be depressed and, in this case, you should be supportive. Be aware if the quality of a student’s work deteriorates or they seem disinterested. Don’t criticise and make them feel bad by accusing them of laziness. They might see you in a kind of parent’s role. You could even approach them after class and do a little casual investigating to find out exactly what is going on.

6. 5

   Be a friend but keep your distance

   Be involved with your students, even if you are nearly the same age, but know when to draw the line. Maintaining your authority will strengthen your position. Remain professional. Your students won’t respect you if you try to act or speak like them or be on their level. Get their approval by being a source of inspiration without getting too close.

7. 6

   Be a Good Listener

   The ability to listen, observe and pick up on what isn’t being said, such as any anxieties students may experience, are skills that every teacher needs to learn. This will make it easier for you to help students build their skills and confidence levels. Good communication all round will smooth your path to being a successful teacher with a happier class.

8. 7

   Relevance to their world is important

   You want your students to remember your lessons, so find a way to connect the information you give with something that relates to their lives. Try to get them excited and ignite their enthusiasm. Involve them in purposeful dialogue. Encourage them to think for themselves and allow them to comment. Maybe one of them has a story or situation that applies and will help explain what is happening, but don’t let their story take over the lesson. Steer the lesson back to the subject without wasting too much time. Terminology and basic principles are important. Make things interesting by using an example of something they can relate to and how it will help them in the future.

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10. 8

    Variety is key

    Show your enthusiasm by using as many different resources for your lessons as you can. Find out what interests your students – things they can relate to. Search for things like books, music, videos, speeches and presentations. Use striking teaching media where the content stands out becomes more relatable. Then explain what’s going on to make it simpler to understand. Learners comprehend things more effectively when they have the opportunity to form a mental image of the object. Link new contents to relevant concepts that they already know and learning content to previous work. Give students the opportunity to discover things for themselves. Teach in a big variety of ways.

11. 9

    Don’t hold back on explanations

    Students will find it difficult to progress if the basic concept of a subject doesn’t makes sense to them. Learn from their responses. If you notice a student is struggling, don’t reject them or make them feel stupid or fall behind. Show empathy and patience and invite them to tell you if there is something they don’t like or understand. Then go through the material again. You can use different methods until they do understand. This will also help the whole class.

12. q

    Be a positive influence

    Ultimately, show you care about your students and encourage them to do better. Show an active involvement. Show that they can rely on you for support and that you are always there for them. Don’t let them give up, motivate them to do better and give praise where praise is due. Remember you are playing an important role in helping to mould their future success and guiding them with choices that need to be made. And, above all, share your love of learning.