It should always be understood that each individual is different and unique, students and teachers alike. It is imperative to be perceptive so that you are able to determine which approach may bear the most results. Usually, you are dealing with a number of students, so keeping the lessons dynamic and diverse is necessary in order to cater to all cognitive learning styles.

As a teacher, we are tasked with the responsibility of educating the eager young minds of Taiwan, the minds that will go on to shape the future of the country. A daunting notion? Yes; however, a very rewarding one. So with all this in mind, it begs to ask the question: which method is the best? The answer is simple: none. There is no single way to approach teaching, only elements or aspects that can be incorporated to achieve the best possible results. A fundamental key to always remember is that the classroom is dynamic; therefore, as a teacher you must constantly adapt.

Why is it so important to adapt? It should always be understood that each individual is different and unique, students and teachers alike. The same stands for both learning and teaching. What works for one may not work for all. This is also situational. It is imperative to be perceptive so that you are able to determine which approach may bear the most results. However, in a classroom environment this is not always so straight forward.  Usually, you are dealing with a number of students, so keeping the lessons dynamic and diverse is necessary in order to cater to all cognitive learning styles.

To achieve this, make sure to implement fundamental elements in each class, such as listening, reading, speaking and writing. Whilst this may sound basic and straight forward, it is very easily overlooked. It is pivotal to always reinforce these elements in each lesson, especially in a language learning scenario. The explanation part of your lesson is where the students engage in listening the most.  It should be clear and concise, and involve frequently questioning students, so that they have a chance to participate and remain focused. This is where it begins to tie into reading and speaking. Allow students to assist in reading where possible and give them an opportunity to verbalize themselves. Whether it be in the form of a question, an answer or their own interpretations, summaries, or examples. Teaching is also a very effective way of learning, which is why I strongly recommend teamwork, group exercise and interactive activities.

The students should always be allocated time to practice or do things themselves. Writing tends to fulfill part of the criteria. I tend to let students work through examples on the board but this is entirely up to the individual. I find that putting errors in your examples is a great way to test problem solving, concept understanding and also aids in keeping students on their toes.

All this should be implemented with several aspects. Given my artistic background, I incorporate a lot of imagery and visuals in my lesson. Often students (especially young learners) tend to be visual learners and respond well to this. It also assists in keeping the class fun and interesting. I avidly try to have an open and interactive setting in my class, trying to capture my students’ interest as this tends to improve work ethic. This coupled with positive reinforcement is a great way to help build their confidence and self esteem, which is especially important to learning a second language.  Often students may feel afraid or unsure of themselves, which can be a major hindrance on their progress. Always try to make your students feel comfortable, not just with you, but also their peers. Aim to help remove the fear of error, which is really a big part of the learning process.

The most important thing to remember is that change is inevitable, so always remain adaptable, and open to new ideas. Treat every lesson and individual as its own. Whilst I've summarized some of the methods I believe work for me, developing your own individual teaching style is a significant part of becoming an effective teacher.

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