Last Thursday I gave a presentation at one of the TEFL schools in Prague.
This is a school that trains English teachers.
I was there to talk to them about teaching private students, and one of them asked me an interesting question, “Do all students want grammar?”
I think next time I’m going to make a list of “rules” to give them.
Here’s what I have so far.
Let me know if you have any ideas.
How To Teach An Intermediate English Student
1. Do not teach grammar
Focusing on rules makes a student more likely to speak slowly and nervously, just like focusing on your feet makes you more likely to trip.
This may come as a shock, but the research shows that students improve their grammar faster from Harry Potter than from Murphy’s.
If your student insists, quickly explain the rule then move on to something more pleasant.
2. Do not correct mistakes
If you bring the student’s attention to his mistakes, he’ll feel like a failure and learn to hate English.
Plus, it doesn’t work.
3. Show up early. Cancel rarely.
4. Always be positive and in a good mood.
Emotions are contagious. And no one wants to pay to catch your foul mood.
5. Over-deliver
Doing your job will not impress anyone. Do more than what’s expected and you’ll never have to worry about finding students.
6. Talk about what interests the student, not what interests you.
And don’t talk about yourself; you’re not that interesting.
7. Keep your lesson plans simple.
Introduce your student to a book store, podcast, TV show, club or website where he can choose what’s interesting for him and 1) you won’t have to worry about homework not being done, 2) you’ll always have something to talk about, and 3) his English will improve naturally and painlessly.