I

n a language learning classroom, do you look for good pronunciation? If so, just go and hire a native English teacher. No doubt, you will get what you want.

However, language teaching is not all about good pronunciation. Having a good command of English is indeed important for an English teacher, but it is not the only important variable in language teaching.

So, what makes a good English teacher? Does a native English teacher automatically make an effective one?

I was there in my own class, sitting in when there was a kuliah umum, or general lecture, delivered by a native Briton. And my students? Most of them just nodded their heads during the session as if they had understood what the presenter was saying. A good command of the students'€™ native language is one other important element in language teaching.

I also sat in my other English class for a class visit by a native Pole who spoke very fluent English. Aside from her fluency, I found her ineffective by only asking my students one at a time, '€œwhat'€™s your hobby?'€ for the whole session. If fluency were the most important factor, she would have obviously been superior to some of us, local English teachers.

Kao Shih-Fan of The Taipei Times wrote, '€œDouglas Brown, a distinguished ESL expert, provided a fairly comprehensive list of characteristics of a good English teacher which can be classified into four categories: technical knowledge, pedagogical skills, interpersonal skills and personal qualities.'€

Good technical knowledge means understanding the mechanics of the language such as phonology and grammar.

Pedagogical skills include a contextualized approach to language instruction, the ability to stimulate interaction, presentation skills and so on.

To be an effective English teacher requires interpersonal skills to engage students through enthusiasm and humor, valuing the opinions and abilities of students and seeking opportunities to share ideas with students and colleagues.

As for personal qualities, a good English teacher is flexible when classroom activities go wrong, maintains an inquisitive mind in trying new teaching methods and has goals for professional development. Language teaching is a very complicated art.

Indeed it is. Indeed too we have many good local English teachers capable of very effective teaching.

M. Fahir
South Tangerang, Banten