The top ten tips from KERIC
1. Ask yourself if you would enjoy the class if you were a student?2. Be part of the team and be willing to show that every day.
3. Whatever happens, stay calm! It’s ok, really, it’s ok.
4. Always have something up your sleeve. Always have a plan B.
5. Change the energy in the classroom, when needed. When your students are tired or lacking in energy WAKE THEM UP! When your students are far too lively, calm them down.
6. Give clear instructions! Prepare the instructions before you give them. Use clear vocabulary to explain the task. Make sure you know what you are asking the students to do. Be aware that some people may need to hear the instructions more than once. Do not ignore puzzled faces. If no one in your class understands the instructions for the activity, then you have not been clear.
7. Make the most of your partnership with the organisation in the country. Make friends with the local teachers. Work with them. Work for them. Work like them.
8. Be flexible. Even though you have prepared your class, things will often take a different turn. That’s ok. A prepared volunteer teacher will be able to make changes during the class. A prepared volunteer teacher can adapt to the needs within the class.
9. Be prepared! You must know what you are teaching and why you are teaching it. What is the aim of your lesson, what do you want the students to learn? How are going to do that, and how much time will it take. A good lesson will take some preparation. An excellent lesson will take a lot of preparation.
10. Your attitude shows. Ask yourself, do you really want to teach? There will be challenging days, but it’s your job to motivate your students, and to motivate yourself! Remember that there will be far more good days, than bad days.
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