Training teachers requires more than just subject knowledge and teaching techniques. It also requires skills like planning and organization, consistency, the ability to work with people, listening skills, and self-awareness of one's own values, preferences, presence, and habits. Becoming a good teacher can be difficult, as there are roadblocks like clinging to templates, being too passionate about personal interests, or perfectionism. However, there are ways to overcome these challenges, such as using teachable moments, providing feedback, applying the right amount of pressure, modeling behaviors, practicing what you preach, and finding ways to motivate students. While training teachers is hard work, it is worthwhile.

1. Harder than it looks
Training Teachers
Peter Lahiff, Course Director, Cert. TESOL at ESD
@lahiffp

2. Lough Bray: A hike to the upper lake with my wife
Ooo It’s quite
boggy, slippery
and uneven.
Where’s the
path gone?
There yet?
I didn’t think it
would be an
expedition!

3. What do you need to be a good teacher?
Subject knowledge
Teaching techniques
Planning & organisation
A consistent approach
To like working with people
The ability to listen
Comfort in silence
& Self-awareness

4. Awareness of what?
My (educational) values = Autonomy, Prescriptivism, AFL
My learning => teaching preferences
My presence and its impact on others
My own ticks and bad habits

5. Transmission Received?

6. What’s stopping us/them?
The template teacher
Personal passions
Putting on a show
Perfectionism v Inertia
The elastic band
Not so transferable
You can’t make them!

7. Ways of getting around the roadblock
Input (teachable moments)
Feedback before
Goldilocks pressure
Modelling for the monkies
Practice what you preach
or change the sermon?
Taking the horse to water

8. It is hard going, but it is worth the hike

9. Harder than it looks
Thanks - Questions?
Peter Lahiff, Course Director, Cert. TESOL at TES Dublin
@lahiffp