So, you have been asked to teach something? Congratulations! You are considered as a solid source of information. However, you have never taught before? In this article, I will share insights with you.
Today, let us focus on how to make your first class a wonderful experience for your students, and hence, a success for the rest of the session.
When I was hired to teach French at my local university, I had no real prior experience. I met my future employers armed with my usual sense of humor and a lot of technical ideas, which worked really well. And, when you know how shy I am, it is not a small feat!
The first class is always a challenge, because in most cases, it will determine the success of your entire session. Below are four steps that will help to make your students feel at home right away.
1) Preparation time
Early preparation is essential: start at least a week prior to the class. Write down everything.
a) Always put yourself in your (future) students’ shoes. Go back in time. When you were a student, what did you like and dislike about your teachers? This is a good technique, as you will probably have to teach people who are around your age. They will have memories of their school years and, as such, a lot of expectations.
b) Try to remember a couple of funny stories that you can tell your class. This is the best way to create a relaxed atmosphere.
c) Write an outline of your class (main ideas and duration of each activity) for yourself and your students. Remember that many Americans are visual learners.
d) You are building a course based on your students’ needs; let them tell you what they want. Prepare a blank list of “Topic Suggestions” that you will hand out at the beginning of your class.
e) If you can, visit the classroom a few days before the start of the session, and sit in one of the students’ chairs for a few minutes…
f) Photocopy all your documents.
2) Only a few hours left!
This moment is usually nerve-wrecking for teachers. Do things that will take your mind away from the task at hand: go for a walk, meet a friend, relax at home, watch your favorite movie…
3) Half an hour before the presentation
Be in your classroom. Turn on all the devices you will need for your presentation (computer, slide projector, etc.), write a welcome message on the board, and get all your documents ready to distribute.
Now, sit in your chair and visualize the space in front of you. Take a few deep breaths. By then, a few students will have already arrived. Smile and strike a conversation with them. This will allow you to regulate your heartbeats and stress.
4) Let’s start!
Welcome all your students. Introduce yourself and share an e-mail address so that students can contact you for concerns, questions, etc. Ask them to write their names on a piece of paper that they will put in front of them. During that time, they should introduce themselves as well.
Errors are part of the learning process; if there are questions, there is a need for answers. So, brace yourself! Encourage your students to ask as many questions as possible. I also advise you to congratulate them for being there. Positive reinforcement is essential…
After formal introductions, you can start your class with role playing. This is a great way to break the ice and evaluate your students’ knowledge on the subject you will teach.
I taught three sessions in a financial institution. The first game we played was a phone game. Pairs of students sat back to back: one was the customer, and the other, the representative. For 5 to 10 minutes, I walked around and listened to the discussions. Most students were too caught up to realize that I wrote mistakes on the board. When I stopped the activity, I invited them to correct the errors out loud (which also allowed me to congratulate them for speaking up and boost their self-confidence). Of course, I wrote the corrections. Then, I changed pairs, and the exercise started again, until all the students had worked with one another. At the end of the game, most students had corrected some of their mistakes and gained some confidence already!
Another icebreaker I used was the “Career Fair”. I invited students to tell me their professions, and I wrote each one of them on the board. We then brainstormed some of the tasks they had to perform. I chose three or four students and asked them to be the representatives of their own company at the local career fair. Other students visited them and asked questions. I walked around the tables and wrote down mistakes on the board. After 15 to 20 minutes, we corrected them and I chose new representatives. The game continued afterwards.
Always remember to start with what your students know. And, make them laugh! They will have a great time, that way.
Good luck! ;-)
GREAT article. These are basic common mistakes that could cost someone a job.
Great post, and a good reason why people cannot depend entirely on their “spill chucker.”
Thank you both! I trained enough professionals to have a say on the topic. And as a professional translator, typos could cost me my clients.
. . . and don’t forget the all-time classic Type-OH’s:
“were there any doughts”
“knowlage is powur”
“waching jepardy makes me feel smarter”
“finished rapping gifts last night”
“never ly to me! i see rite threw you”
“jst got mum to proof reada my annalyticol esssay, first thing she sais. who did you copy off. Do i realy come of that stupd?”
Indeed, there are as many typos as words in a dictionary. lol
I think I should write a book on them, it would be funny!
It would be funny, and you might be able to donate some of the income to a great charity: The International Society of Former Poofreaders.
What a good idea! LOL
Good stuff, I’ll share on the Project DGTS FB page.
Thank you, Khadija!
Good to see that some people really write good content nowadays. Offtopic: I don’t know why but i’m having javascript errors viewing your website on Internet Explorer.. can you check it please? Best Regards
Hello Paul, thank you for your feedback.
I checked for javascript issues, but none on my end. Just remember that IE is not a very good browser. I advise you to go for Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or even Safari.