What does teaching mean? A list of practical tips to help young teachers to optimize their classes

1. Teaching 4 all
I am teaching, … but are my students
learning?

2. Knowledge
O Does not belong to
a teacher who is
supposed to deliver
it
O It is the result of
social interaction
and the meaning
the teacher and the
student construct
together

3. Learning
O Is a process
O Is a dynamic phenomenon
O Is not a lineal sequence
What’s the teacher’s rol here?

4. The Teacher
O Acts as a mediator
O Empowers learners to think for
themselves
O Brings some kind of meaning to the
students’ life
O Can turn education into an enriching
experience

6. Ex. 1 – Intermediate Level
Conditionals
Instead of doing this:
Conditional Sentences are also known as
Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are
used to express that the action in the main
clause (without if) can only take place if a
certain condition (in the clause with if) is
fulfilled. There are three types of Conditional
Sentences. …

7. You can do this
Conditionals –
Grammar Structure
Conditionals –
Meaning and function
Formula:
1st Type
If do – will do
2nd Type
If did – would do
3rd Type
If had done – would have done
Meaning
1st Type
It is likely that the condition
will be fulfilled
2nd Type
It is possible but unlikely
that the condition will be
fulfilled
3rd Type
It is impossible that the
condition will be fulfilled

8. Practice
O Watch the film and tell us, What would you
do if …
O http://www.youtube.com/v/AgtZZXlZ1T0

9. Ex. 2 – Elementary Level
Present Perfect
Instead of doing this:
The present perfect is formed by combining
the auxiliary verb "has" or "have" with the
past participle.
I have studied.
He has written a letter to María.
We have been stranded for six days.
(Now let’s go to the book and start the
written practice)

10. You can do this
The present perfect is formed by combining
the auxiliary verb "has" or "have" with the
past participle.
I have studied.
He has written a letter to María.
We have been stranded for six days.
Now let´s listen to the songs …

11. Practice the Present Perfect
with songs and scenes from
TV shows
http://www.youtube.com/v/GWSMgJGRs3E
http://www.youtube.com/v/Nt7O2w1Fpxc

12. Ex. 3 – Beginner Level
Parts of the face
Instead of doing this:
Well, open the books and let’s see the
picture there, now repeat …, now draw ….,
(and so on)

13. You can do this:
Bring a photocopy, ask students to cut the
shapes and start putting the parts together
in funny ways.

14. Finally …
O Every student has to produce their own
face, (the funniest will win a lolly pop), and
name the picture with a strange name.

15. Good lesson planning is
essential to the process of
teaching and learning.
Establish a positive classroom
environment
Plan your lesson and:
O Make the classroom a
pleasant, friendly place
O Accept individual
differences
O Learning activities should
be cooperative and
supportive
O Create a non-threatening
learning environment
O Organize physical space;
eliminate situations that my
be dangerous or disruptive
O Establish classroom rules
and procedures and
consistently reinforce them
O Begin lessons by giving
clear instructions
O Maintain student
attention
O Use appropriate pacing
O Provide suitable
seatwork
O Evaluate what has taken
place in your lesson