6 Green Flags for a Teacher
It's perfectly normal to cushion your search with caution when looking for that perfect checking-all-the-boxes English teacher
. However important it is to dodge red flags
, it’s equally essential to seek the green ones in your future mentor. Let’s assume we’ve got the hard skills (a high level of language proficiency and a solid grasp of methodology) covered. There’re other, more subtle tells at play
Owning up to mistakes Picture this - your English teacher slips up and feeds you wrong information. Expect them to not shy away from it.
They'll own up to their mistakes, showing you that to err is human. This kind of honesty and readiness to step down off the pedestal set up a great framework for their students.
Acknowledging boundaries A great teacher is all about creating a safe space. They know that everyone's got their own comfort zone, so they make it a point to acknowledge and respect boundaries instead of trying to make students hew to the line. They foster an environment where you can freely share your thoughts without fearing to be judged.
It's a place where you'll feel like you can throw caution to the wind and morph into your new language self.
Active listening Another skill that sets a class act of a teacher apart is a superpower of active listening. They listen to you, not just with their ears, but with their whole being.
They pay attention to what you're saying, but also pick up on those subtle emotions and unspoken concerns. It's like having a friend who genuinely cares about what you have to say with zero intention of gloating or sizing you up.
High level of self-awareness A mature teacher is past a perfectionist mentality.
They have a keen sense of self-awareness and understand their own strengths and weaknesses. This kind of mindset sets the stage for lifelong learning and shows you that you are a work in progress, too. It’ll help you shed unrealistic goals and make peace with your learning curve.
Honest communication Unless you are into stiff vibes, look for a teacher who is all about keeping the talk real. They want you to be yourself, speak your mind, and ask questions. They champion an honest and open communication style that encourages critical thinking and companionship.
Willingness to challenge With all the green flags that have been listed so far, you might be thinking that a great English teacher is somewhat of a security blanket, a never-ending source of undivided attention and support
. Well, not exactly. A teacher who is serious about your learning needs won’t let the classes slide into mere venting sessions. The challenging part might be put on the backburner for the time being, but at some point you’ll certainly get a nudge to revisit your goals in case you’ve lost sight of them.
Together with your teacher you’ll figure out the optimal balance of “fluff and tough” in your classes, instead of simply rolling with an easy option.
It's perfectly normal to cushion your search with caution when looking for that perfect checking-all-the-boxes English teacher
. However important it is to dodge red flags
, it’s equally essential to seek the green ones in your future mentor. Let’s assume we’ve got the hard skills (a high level of language proficiency and a solid grasp of methodology) covered. There’re other, more subtle tells at play
Owning up to mistakes Picture this - your English teacher slips up and feeds you wrong information. Expect them to not shy away from it.
They'll own up to their mistakes, showing you that to err is human. This kind of honesty and readiness to step down off the pedestal set up a great framework for their students.
Acknowledging boundaries A great teacher is all about creating a safe space. They know that everyone's got their own comfort zone, so they make it a point to acknowledge and respect boundaries instead of trying to make students hew to the line. They foster an environment where you can freely share your thoughts without fearing to be judged.
It's a place where you'll feel like you can throw caution to the wind and morph into your new language self.
Active listening Another skill that sets a class act of a teacher apart is a superpower of active listening. They listen to you, not just with their ears, but with their whole being.
They pay attention to what you're saying, but also pick up on those subtle emotions and unspoken concerns. It's like having a friend who genuinely cares about what you have to say with zero intention of gloating or sizing you up.
High level of self-awareness A mature teacher is past a perfectionist mentality.
They have a keen sense of self-awareness and understand their own strengths and weaknesses. This kind of mindset sets the stage for lifelong learning and shows you that you are a work in progress, too. It’ll help you shed unrealistic goals and make peace with your learning curve.
Honest communication Unless you are into stiff vibes, look for a teacher who is all about keeping the talk real. They want you to be yourself, speak your mind, and ask questions. They champion an honest and open communication style that encourages critical thinking and companionship.
Willingness to challenge With all the green flags that have been listed so far, you might be thinking that a great English teacher is somewhat of a security blanket, a never-ending source of undivided attention and support
. Well, not exactly. A teacher who is serious about your learning needs won’t let the classes slide into mere venting sessions. The challenging part might be put on the backburner for the time being, but at some point you’ll certainly get a nudge to revisit your goals in case you’ve lost sight of them.
Together with your teacher you’ll figure out the optimal balance of “fluff and tough” in your classes, instead of simply rolling with an easy option.
