A Good Teacher

[myprofe]

When I taught in language schools it was not uncommon to hear teachers say they dreaded teaching a certain group or particular level or grammatical point. But, strangely enough, there was always someone in the school who found that same group, structure or level to be the most enjoyable to teach. Ever since then whenever a class, a lesson or a grammatical explanation doesn’t work I never blame the students. I always blame myself. The most important things a teacher takes to a classroom are her enthusiasm and willingness to learn to teach. Some method books are more interesting or; let’s be honest, easier to teach than others, but that’s no excuse for skipping the sections - a common practice - that are boring or complicated to explain. It’s the teacher, not the student, who makes learning easy or difficult, fun or boring. Therein lies the challenge and the reward.
Gordon http://www.myprofe.com/tandem

[Tdol]

The area I don't like teaching is relative pronouns.

[Steven D]

Originally Posted by tdol

The area I don't like teaching is relative pronouns. http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/im...s/icon_lol.gif

It's my understanding that teaching conditionals is undesirable to some. I like conditionals.


I like teaching relative pronouns when I'm able to. Depending on the where I'm at in a course or a particular level, they may or may not always come up. When they do, I welcome them. It's kind of fun.

That's right "where I'm at". That's what I said.

If I hear someone use two simple sentences, I don't always know if this person really meant to use two simple sentences, or has a problem combining ideas with a relative pronoun to make a complex sentence. Do you what I mean, TDOL? How do you approach that? I've pointed out at times that it is possible to combine sentences with a relative when I've heard two simple sentences that could be combined. Do you ever do that?

It's something you have to be careful about though, I guess......

[Steven D]

It's my understanding that teaching conditionals is undesirable to some. I like conditionals.

What about modals? Certain uses of modals are not always easy to understand.

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/showthread.php?p=45033&posted=1#post45033

[Tdol]

Modals are so complex that they span levels; they are fascinating.

[lenochek]

The greatest problem is spelling. Sometimes it's impossible to explain why we have to write the letters we actually don't pronounce.