Question # 46 - Do I need any special skills to teach ESL in Japan?
Sadly, for most schools, I think not. For my school, we tried hard to hire good people.
I firmly believe/d that I could teach a good person how to be a good teacher, but I couldn’t always teach a good teacher how to be a good person.
This is important to me. Good teachers, qualified, with a bag full of techniques, games and such came and went.
Good people care about the welfare of their students and are more likely to be in it for the long haul, to want their students to succeed.
It is not hard to teach ESL. It is hard sometimes to do it well.
By far, the most desired qualification I sought after was for a teacher who desired to learn the language. A good student very often makes a good teacher.
I would tell my teachers to think what they wish a teacher would do for them, and do the same for their students.
That’s not all of it, but it makes for a great start.
What do you think is the most important qualification for a new ESL teacher?
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