TEFL Union Nebraska

Helping build confidence in students is a vital part of the efl teacher's role in the classroom. A confident student is more likely to be motivated, willing to try, inquisitive and ultimately successful in learning. There are many factors which can influence an individual's confidence. The role of the teacher is to be aware of these factors and create and environment for the learner where these factors are minimized if not eliminated. There are many factors which can influence confidence in students. Culture and background is a first point to be aware of. Many students will come from cultures where they are more shy and less likely to speak up. They may feel embarrassed to make a mistake or their past experience in classrooms has not required them to be active participants in the class. Another factor may be the link students need to make between effort and success. Some students will have a narrow definition of success where they look for perfection. They set strict and unrealistic goals for themselves and are easily discouraged if they do not achieve them. This can also stem from their past experience or their culture. Additionally, a student may feel overwhelmed and confused by the material. They may start to compare themselves to others in the class who seem to go through the material more easily and feel inadequate as a result. While the reality is that different people will learn in different ways and at different rates, the impact to the confidence of a student is no less significant with this knowledge. The role of the teacher is not necessarily to solve these challenges, but help mitigate their effect on the student. Culture, past experience and learning ability are realities in people which cannot be changed. Being aware of these, will help the teacher be more effective and the students more confident. A teacher must first take the time to understand the external dynamics of the group they will be teaching. If they are teaching in a foreign land, they can take the time to research and gain an understanding of the culture and people. If the class is in a business setting, learn about the culture of that business or company. With that backdrop, they can then take the time to learn about the students. Some of the learning will come directly from dialogue and interaction and some will come from observing the students. Furthermore, the teacher must be a positive, patient and encouraging presence for the students. Much of the anxiety students have about failing or embarrassing themselves can vanish when they feel secure and not negatively judged. The teacher can provide frequent feedback and praise for effort. They need to be kind and approachable while respecting the students' learning and not being patronizing. Finally, the goals and learning objectives must be realistic. teachers can set learning milestones and celebrate the achievement of these milestones. If the time and class size permit, these milestones can be personalized to recognize the difference in learning styles and abilities. In conclusion, a confident student will be more motivated to learn and to apply that which they have learned. They will become more self-sufficient and able to translate their classroom learnings to real world situations.