Journal Topic of the week 2

Q. What type of English teacher do you want to be? Describe an idealistic figure of English teacher in your mind and explain why.

Since when I was an elementary student, I have dreamt to become an English teacher. Therefore, it's been quite a time I started to think about the virtue of a good English teacher. I understand that an idealistic figure of English teacher can vary depending on person, but in my opinion, English teacher must have these elements at full.

First off, a good English teacher must be fully equipped with his or her major, English Language. It would not make sense at all to teach, if students' English skills overshine the teacher's one. School is not a cram school, so each class, every students have a diffrent level of English proficiency. So English teacher must be able to teach everyone of them with a relevent level of teaching skill so that the students can keep up with class's curriculum. That means good English teacher must have a large spectrum of English teaching and language efficiency. Especially, in korea many English teachers seem to lack in English speaking and writing skills, which is the two very important skills for communication through English. So a good English teacher must be specialized in these skills.

Secondly, good English teacher must be not only a teacher who just gives knowledge in one way, but a mentor who can also teach students the other aspects of life, besides studying. Teacher must be a good listener and counselor, so that students can visit him or her easily.

Lastly, English teachers must have good cultural understanding of English-speaking countries, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, the two big speakers of English language. Language comes after the culture has formed so culture is one of the most influential factor that consists of a language. For example, English has had its form through a long period of time and during that time it had many influences of other languages such as French or German. So these kinds of understanding may help teachers create a better curriculum in his or her lectures.

As a conclusion, even though the virtues of a good English teacher may vary depeding on people, I think basically English teachers must be specialized in teaching English and mentoring. Also they should have a good understanding of English language itself in terms of culture, too.