the role of the language teacher

What is the role of a language teacher? I have noticed that one of the things that separates the good language teachers from bad is their answer to this question.

Many people, remembering the teachers they had in history or math or science classes, think that a language teacher should be a source of knowledge. The teacher should talk, and the students should listen and ask questions. Then, at the end of the lesson, the students have learned something.

Unfortunately, learning a language is not like learning history or science. Language proficiency is based on skill, not knowledge, which means that students don’t need to learn new things as much as they need to practice what they know.

So don’t be confused when the teacher:

1) expects you to talk more than they do. YOU need the practice, THEY don’t.

2) wants you to repeat something, even if you understand it. Understanding isn’t enough. You have to perform.

3) asks you to talk about something familiar, like your job or daily life. It doesn’t matter what you say. It matters how you say it.

4) doesn’t correct your mistakes immediately. It’s more important that you finish your sentence without stopping. After you finish, your teacher can give you advice on how to improve next time.

5) asks questions like a psychologist. “Why?” “What do you mean?” These questions will help you talk more.

A good language teacher is not really a teacher. They are a coach. So imagine yourself running by the side of a lake, while your teacher drives their car next to you, shouting encouragement.