TEFL Cuernavaca

The rapport between a teacher and their students is one of the most important aspects of a successful classroom. It is a relationship that is built upon mutual respect, understanding and trust, and is the single most effective tool that teachers should use to engage their students. Building rapport in the classroom will create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, where students feel safe and know they can trust their surroundings. If a student feels connected to their teacher, they are more motivated and enthusiastic to participate and try new things. They will have the confidence to ask questions and to voice their opinions, putting themselves out there in front of their peers without fear of being made to feel stupid. Without rapport, there is no connection, and the teacher is alienated from their audience. If a student does not get along with their teacher, they will be less likely to participate. As a result, for both the students and teacher alike, the class will not be as enjoyable, nor as effective. But rapport is not something that can be created overnight or with one single action. It's something that needs to be continually worked on and continued. So how can teachers successfully establish rapport? There are many ways to do this. The first and most obvious way is for a teacher to take an interest in getting to know their students. This is something that should be started from the very first class, when everyone is new and a little bit unsure of how things will work. The teacher can break the ice by asking the students questions about themselves, their lives and their interests, and also about what their goals are for studying english. At the same time, it is important that the teacher has a genuine interest in learning the answers as it will be obvious to the students if the teacher doesn't really care! But if the student feels that the teacher takes a genuine interest in them as an individual, they will be more motivated to work hard and produce the best results possible. The teacher should always respond with a friendly attitude, using eye contact, calling students by their name, and using positive facial expressions and body language. Better yet, the teacher should also share a bit about their own personal history. A student will find it easier to relate to a teacher if they know a bit more about them, and if the teacher is not afraid to show a bit of vulnerability. Here, the students will be less afraid to show their own fears. The next step is to create interesting and fun lesson plans, that are based around the students' interests. A student will be more willing to participate if the topic for the day revolves around something that interests them, especially if they know that this topic was chosen because they personally take an interest. A fun class, with a variety of activities, where all students are involved and where all are encouraged to share their ideas and opinions, will always be a success. In terms of relating to students, it's also important to remember that all students have different learning styles and so the teacher should be sure to incorporate all learning methods into their class. This will help all students feel included, and all students will have equal opportunity to be engaged. There are, of course, many other ways that a teacher can build rapport with their students. But the bottom line is that it is an essential building block for creating a fun and successful class, and should be based upon a genuine interest in the students, and a sincere desire to understand and educate them effectively. Please find sources on next page. Sources: ITTT Unit 5 - Managing Classes PDF http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/khanh-nguyen/how-establish-rapport-classroom http://composition.la.psu.edu/resources/pedagogy-handouts/Establishing%20Rapport.pdf