Becoming a Teacher: Beyond Training

Alan Maley

Summary

In a recent discussion, a teacher made this comment, “Now that I’ve finished my teacher training, I know how to teach. But I still don’t know how to be a teacher.” This talk is in part a response to that comment, which goes to the heart of teacher education. The results of an informal inquiry asking experienced teachers to recall a teacher from their past who they had particularly admired, liked and respected and to list the factors which led them to this conclusion. Overwhelmingly, it was personal qualities which dominated – of the five main characteristics only one referred to professional expertise. I shall suggest that acquisition or developing these human characteristics is not susceptible to formal training and suggests a number of possible ways teacher educators can help teachers to acquire indirectly some of what seem to be desirable qualities - activities teachers can do alone and activities they can do with the support of others.

Biodata

Alan Maley has been involved with ELT for over 60 years. He has lived and worked in 10 countries worldwide, including China, India, Singapore and Thailand, as well as in Yugoslavia, France and Italy. He has published over 50 books and numerous articles. He is a past President of IATEFL (1988-92) - and is proud to have been in at the beginning of IATEFL Poland.

Presentation Details

Type of presentation: Talk
The presentation is for: General audience
The presentation focuses on: Various
The session is: A balanced mixture of theory and practice
Category: Teacher Training and Development, including Teacher’s Self-Care and Resilience
Presentation is commercial: No
Speaking on behalf of a publisher, examination board, or commercial organisation? No

Scheduled for

Date: Sunday, 2024-09-22, 12:40 - 13:20
Place: AUD 2 012/013 NE