Avoid the uncomfortable silence and looks of disinterest by following these eight easy steps to success.
Plan B – If you don’t know your student very well, be sure that you’ve got variations of the same activities that are slightly easier and slightly more difficult than what you’ve planned. This means more work in the beginning, but contingency plans become less important in due time.
Over plan – Ensure you’re not going to run out of material before the class ends by adding 20-25 per cent of the class duration into your lesson plan. If you don’t need it, you can use it later; if you do need it you’ll be glad you have it.
Increase relevance – Great lessons bomb simply because they’re generic and being used to teach individuals who have individualised needs. Turn generic lessons into personalised lessons by tailoring them to your student’s location, profession, goals and needs.
Listen – This is particularly important in the first lesson, teacher talk time must be kept in check. Students should know that they’ll be able to practice their speaking skills while you’re their teacher. Limit personal introductions, eliminate procedural comments and never interrupt your student while they’re talking.
Look the part – We’ve said it before and we’ll continue to say it until teachers stop showing up for lessons in casual attire: teachers need to look the part. First impressions matter in Thailand and you want to leave your student feeling confident you’re a professional by looking like one. You can always go casual later if it’s appropriate.
Be punctual – So what if “Thai time” is a real thing and students are almost always late. Teachers should be early, prepared and ready to start the class as soon as the student sits down. Students will be happier knowing they’re learning with someone who can handle something as basic as punctuality.
Limit corrections – Nothing ruins a lesson quite like a persnickety teacher so let language errors fly. Note them down and address them later, but unless they’re directly related to the language point, or they’re being repeated often, leave them be and let your learner feel good about their language skills.
Sanook – The importance of this cannot be overstated. In order to keep a student coming back to class, they must feel as if they’re having fun. Far too many Western teachers fail to understand this and then wonder why their student stops attending class. Make the first lesson as fun as possible; make the student smile, laugh and forget that they’re actually learning. Do that, and you’ve got a student for life.
Assuming the first lesson was a success, end it on a high note by praising the student for their performance, confirming the next class time, and thanking them for coming.
A teacher trainer at TEFL Campus and Phuket resident since 2004, Eric welcomes all questions regarding teaching English in Phuket at: info@teflcampus.com