Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified and teach in XiAnchaqiao Zhen? Are you interested in teaching English in Shaoyang Shi? Check out ITTT’s online and in-class courses, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English ONLINE or abroad! ITTT offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.
It is likely that at some point in every person's life they have experienced one, if not several, stressful classroom situations. Be it as a child, teenager or adult, regardless of student or teacher, classroom dynamics and the amount of unpredictable situations that can occur can induce stress for all parties. Children, teenagers and adults all experience different kinds of stress and while learning a new language there is a whole other dimension of unknown grammatical challenges and unrecognizable vocabulary to add to the energy, creating tension confusion. Is it possible for a teacher to create a stress free learning environment? What can the students of EFL do to minimize their stress and achieve a balanced classroom learning experience? Both teacher and student have different roles to play in a classroom that can create homeostasis; a stable and balanced equilibrium where the flow of learning is happening and stress is non existent. Teachers Role: (1) Attitude A positive and adaptable attitude within a classroom setting is a top priority. We can't bank that things will go exactly as planned 100% of the time and how we deal with curve balls can shape the energy of the classroom. For example, if the OHP goes down and no back up lesson was planned, as a teacher we can still deal with it with grace and adaptability, showcasing to the students that language can be practiced even without the aids of prepared lessons. (2) Lesson plan preparedness Showing up to a classroom without a prepared and detailed lesson plan is one of the easiest ways to create stress and tension in a class. Teaching English "on the fly" usually backfires and causes the students to feel anxious and mistakes can easily be made that the teacher might not see and the students will end up studying the wrong material. Prepare lessons! Spend time planning out the curriculum and look ahead. If the teacher knows the lesson plan inside and out, then more time can be spent with the students in conversations and observation. (3) Environment It is not always a possibility to prepare the classroom ahead of time if you are travelling to a company or temporary work location, but having a well prepared room will put the students at ease and help them fall into the learning of a new language without the distractions of needing to move furniture around mid lesson or adjust the lighting and address unwanted noise concerns. A teacher at a temporary site should then try to arrive early so there is ample time to set up the room exactly as needed. Have enough materials and double check to make sure AV equipment is working. Students Role (1) Show up eager to learn Learning a new language might not always be by choice. It might be a requirement for work or school, but having an open mind, positive attitude and willingness to put 100% effort in will make the learning easier and more worth while. If it is for work and only basic English is required, make the most of the situation and come to classes with a positive attitude ready to master the skills needed. Stress can be usually caused by a block or obstacle; a feeling of "I have to do this" so it won't be fun. Try swapping it out for "I choose to do this" and see how it changes the level of stress. (2) Ask questions Stress from not understanding or knowing how to do the assignments is so easy to avoid, yet pride or embarrassment prevents us from asking when we really need help. If you don't know, ask! The teacher will do their best to look for confusion but saying that you understand when you really have no idea what to do will cause stress. The teacher will not judge you for not knowing and you will end up saving time and energy by simply asking questions to gain clarity. (3) Do the reading If there is extra reading or resources suggested by the teacher, take advantage of it. Even an extra 5 minutes of reading authentic or curated material usually reinforce what you learned already in that lesson so will boost your confidence and eliminate stress. These are only a few suggestions that can mitigate stressful situations in classroom settings. At the end of the day whether it is a teacher or student, take a deep breath, relax and know that we can always try again. The best learning happens in a space where the energy is calm, and the teacher and students know what is expected of them.
