A TEACHER SHOULD…

Once, in my 12^th grade class, I asked my students what do they expect from their teachers, what should teachers be like. Of course, when I put forward such a question my primary intention was to give them a practice in modals . Plus, I would get to know their ideas and help them in critical thinking. And pat came the responses –

A teacher should be friendly.

A teacher should be sincere.

A teacher must not punish the students.

A teacher should not tease the students.

A teacher should be supportive.

The answers were all predictable and went on smoothly. And then, came a mind blowing response –

“Teachers should love their life and job, and celebrate it too.”

I was surprised by the answer and asked my student why did he say so. Though he never expected a ‘why’ from me, he gave an explanation. He said, it was too frustrating to be in a class where a teacher had a sullen face. The students would enjoy the classes only if the teachers did so.

Sometimes it is the unpredictable student-responses that spell out the right kind of philosophy.

A CONTEXT CALLED KERALA

It is not very difficult to convince the people of Kerala about the need to learn English in this age. People here, are rather ambitious and they value education much. They are also brilliantly adaptable.

But something is hindering the path, there is a slowdown.. I think the reasons are perhaps, the outdated political ideologies, unwanted prejudices, focus on short term results than long term ones and slow technological progress.

I think the teachers need not wait for the system to sort out things for them. The need of the hour is to be a system of your own and work out for the learners to help them achieve the skills they need.