6 Qualities of Successful ESL Teachers

1.

A Genuine Relationship with Students

Researchers Deiro (1996) and Noddings (1992) found that teachers who genuinely care about their students have a
significant impact on the students attitudes, motivation and behavior. These students work harder and are more
successful learners. They learn English faster and display stronger skills. Think of a teacher who you knew really cared
about you as a person. How did this affect your classroom performance and the success you had in that class, which in
turn impacted your future success as a learner? The relationship between a student and teacher is the most important
factor difference for ESL students.
2.

Understanding of a Students Cultural Background

A teacher who openly welcomes students and accepts the cultural differences can help with an easier acceptance by the
school environment. When a student feels valued, he/she is more apt to assimilate into the English-speaking culture, to
make friends and increase opportunities to use English. Students who engage in more conversation and activities with
native-born English speakers, acquire English skills quicker which help to boost more skills.
3.

Training in Second Language Education Techniques and Approaches

Quality professional training development opportunities need to be available to help these teachers and other staff
members who teach culturally and linguistically diverse students. Instruction needs to be ongoing and offered in a whole
array of learning formats from short workshops and one-time inservices to online classes and those that stretch over
longer periods of time. These educational opportunities should be available for free or low cost, possibly with added
incentives to the teacher. They should be available in the most convenient settings and at times to accommodate the
busy teacher who is already pulled and stretched beyond what most careers expect.
4.

Understanding the Individual Needs of Students

It is helpful to assess the students language proficiency and educational history. The design of the classroom lessons
can then be individualized to focus on each students functional English level in the areas of listening, speaking, reading
and writing. This ongoing student assessment helps the teacher obtain current functional levels so lessons can be targeted
towards maximum growth. They can zero in on exactly what the student needs. It is pronunciation of a sound or letters?
Is it vocabulary?
How about writing? Can they write a sentence or do they need help with outlining or research? Do they have study
skills? It is common to have five reading levels in a classroom (i.e. two reading levels above the grade level and two
reading levels below); can you imagine the levels of language ability in ESL learners? Ongoing assessment will support
daily instruction and targeted learning needs of a student will help that child acquire language quicker and build selfconfidence.
5.

Encouraging English Conversations & Involvement Outside the Classroom

Students who more actively engage outside the classroom in extracurricular or community activities cultivate friendships
and interests which help with broadening language acquisition. When students feel more confident and have some degree
of language skill, they can be encouraged to join other school- and community-related activities. These can be based on
the students interests. Maybe a student enjoys the outdoors and scouting is a good option; sports, music and art might be
other avenues; some students might be befriended by native speakers who invite them to participate in something they
are engaged in. Another suggestion is joining groups and clubs that build on an international focus like language clubs
and service organizations. Being active and also volunteering to help towards some larger purpose can also build
relevancy to learning and involvement.

6.

A Willingness to Connect with Communities

Teachers need to analyze what skills are most important to learn at any given time, and then teach those. As students
progress through a hierarchy of skills and meet success, their learning will soar. Lessons that are built on high interest
and tied to the present needs of the students work well. I remember when I taught ESL students who had just arrived in
America. On Friday afternoons, we would take walking field trips downtown not far from the elementary school that
housed the district program.
We could walk to any number of bakeries, toy stores, bookstores, restaurants, a library and museum, and a few
parks. Ill never forget the day we toured the art museum and I asked the kids to stand by a painting they liked the
best. One little girl didnt move. I tried to explain to her what was expected of her. But she could only shake her head
no. When I asked her why not, Maya just said that the paintings all were so beautiful. I knew then that the students
were gaining so much more out of these experiences than I could imagine.
Successful EFL / ESL teachers have these 5 characteristics in common:
1. Excellent Interpersonal Communication Skills
A successful teacher should enjoy people, show enthusiasm and excitement in the classroom, and be positive.
If the teacher is positive, enthusiastic, and teaches with a smile, the energy will spread to the students.
This positive energy can motivate students and make the classroom environment more pleasant.
I think this is especially important when teaching in another country because the students want to get to know their
foreign language teacher.
2. An Attitude of Flexibility
A successful teacher should be flexible and open to change when things go differently than planned. The teacher needs
to be aware of what is happening in the classroom and make mid-lesson alterations, if necessary.
It is important to not get upset when a lesson goes awry. However, you should try to move the lesson in the direction of
accomplishing the outlined goals.
3. Appropriate Classroom Management
A successful teacher should be well-organized, dependable, and able to effectively manage the classroom. In a wellmanaged classroom, students know what is expected of them and respond with pre-established procedures throughout the
lesson. A properly managed classroom motivates student cooperation and teamwork.
It is important to spend time at the beginning of the course making a classroom management plan and carefully
explaining it to the students in the first few lessons.
4. Meaningful Lessons
A successful teacher should develop lessons that appeal to students interests and goals. Students should have the
opportunity to use the language in genuine tasks and gain fluency without worry of mistakes. Students are excited to be
in a foreign teachers class and will respond more positively to meaningful tasks that allow them to use the language.
It is best to associate new information with something students already know, and avoid too much grammatical
explanation or activities without a clear purpose.
5. Cultural Awareness
A successful EFL / ESL teacher should be sensitive of cultural differences and traditions. Teachers should learn the
culture of their students to gain a deeper understanding of their way of thinking and background. It also helps if the
teacher tries to learn the language of the students to better understand the culture.
The students are usually more motivated when they know their teacher is making the effort to learn their language and
understand their culture.