Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 25oC, sunny and slightly overcast.
Thursday, the 1st of June, May closes, and June opens. Summing up the month of May, I did two hundred and one classes.
To do so many classes, all at the same elevated level, and to keep that level of quality all the time is not easy, but I can do it.
I have based my classes on three specific pillars:
- Quality: As in English knowledge and the didactic performance of the teacher, a teacher needs to know well what he or she is teaching and how he or she can complement one subject with another, as they are related many times, and it is proactive for the pupil. The teacher must know how to pass on his knowledge to the pupil. It is not just a question of understanding a subject; he must facilitate the learning so that the pupil can absorb such knowledge, usually in a more simplified way. The teacher also needs parallel flexibility so that while teaching a class, he or she monitors what is being produced and said and how that content can be further developed or used better for the pupil.
- Entertainment: The class has to be entertaining for the pupil. It has to be fun and interesting so that the pupil retains the most content possible from the teacher. Nobody pays attention when something is boring, but when it is interesting, we all pay attention, take part, retain it, and use it. Something interesting or enjoyable creates interest, which creates curiosity, which in turn produces retention. The ability to make any class interesting depends significantly on the subject, the teacher, and the pupil or pupils. I am naturally relaxed. I am also English, and the English are famous for their black, dry, ironic sense of humour. I use humour a lot in my classes, as it is an excellent tool for tuition. However, I have to be careful. There is a fine line between what is appropriate and inappropriate in a classroom, and it should never be crossed to avoid causing discomfort for the students. The teacher needs to have a sense of understanding and control over his craft. He or she must know the limit, the line and what can or cannot be said or done. This is an art that few know. And finally, about this, do not, but never mix things. Never come on to a pupil, never have a relationship with a pupil, never ever; it does not work and almost always ends in disaster. Sometimes, a teacher has a false sense of righteousness, that he has more fame and attraction than he really has; an inflated ego is one of your own worst enemies. It is a false bubble that can burst anytime, usually when you least expect it!
- Reliability: Yes, reliability; a good teacher has to be reliable, which means if somebody pays him, he or she has to give the classes no matter what. The teacher has to be there for the pupil or pupils for rain, snow, earthquakes, snowstorms, etc. I have lost count of the number of unreliable teachers I have had contact with during my twenty or so years of teaching. If you are a reliable teacher, you should be able to take all the pupils’ arguments. Whether the classes are good or not is one subject and discussion; however, not being reliable in giving classes quickly kills the teacher-pupil relationship. A classic example is that a pupil can cancel a class because he or she is paying; however, if a teacher regularly cancels and the reason does not matter, the pupil will give up.
These are the three pillars I use for teaching classes: quality, entertainment, and reliability. Because of this, I have survived for more than twenty years in Brazil, teaching in a fickle market and country while supporting two daughters and a family.
It is also important to say that, like many things in life, teaching classes is a two-way street. Sometimes, a pupil forgets this because he or she thinks that because they are paying, they have the right to do whatever they want, but they do not!!! If the teacher is bulletproof, he establishes limits that are sometimes a shock or literally an earthquake for the pupil.
I have decided on a few occasions to stop giving classes to a pupil who, for some reason, is disturbing me somehow. Maybe I feel that the classes are not helpful for the pupil anymore or that the pupil is not valuing or taking seriously the classes.
Or, I think that the pupil is TOXIC, which has happened, so I decided to terminate the classes. Usually, when this happens, it is a big shock for the pupil, especially when the pupil thinks that the teacher is entirely dependent on what he or she pays the teacher, the pupil in some cases becomes indignant, but that is the way and sometimes, unfortunately, life is a bitch!!!
So, it was a day of classes, preparing for the beginning of the month, working and in the evening, going to Yasmin’s school for parents’ evening. We reserved two ten-minute appointments with the Portuguese and Maths teachers at seven and seven-ten, respectively.
Both teachers informed Nalva and me that Yasmin is a responsible and attentive girl in the classes. They also affirmed that Yasmin, besides being a good pupil, is also a nice person, which is very important for her mother and I. The maths teacher also said she has had some difficulties but is doing okay. I asked the maths teacher to inform us in the future if she needs extra classes, and he said he would.
Nalva was incredibly happy to know that Yasmin is doing well at school, but she cannot relax. We can praise her, and we both will, of course, but it is not an excuse to relax or slow down; the battle still continues!!!
In bed by 9.30 pm.
Thank you.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
