Today, it’s easier than ever before to learn about teaching. There are lots of books, training courses, free online courses, online resources, and university programs that can help us develop as
teachers. Learning about other things is important too. Creative teachers bring more to class than just a knowledge of teaching. They are educated in other areas, and can draw on their experiences and outside interests. I recommend taking up an artistic hobby such as learning to play a musical instrument, or following a drama course. As well as enjoying these things for their own sake, you can use them in your teaching to great effect. Using songs in the classroom, for example, is very motivating for learners and can help them process
the language and improve pronunciation. Including drama techniques and integrating them into your syllabus is another great way of allowing a hobby to enrich your teaching. Although formal training will help you develop as a teacher, it’s important to connect with others in your field. Inspiration can come from the big-name speakers and writers, but just as often, itcomes from teachers like you and me. It’s never been easier to find inspiring teachers to follow on Facebook, Twitter and in the blogosphere. Follow and read their blogs, join a teacher’s association and attend talks and workshops live or online. Inspiration rubs off and will create in you the desire to imitate these teachers in your daily teaching practices. It doesn’t matter if you don’t use the ideas you collect straight away. The important thing is to collect and organize them in a way that makes it easy to try them out when the right opportunity presents itself. It’s these ideas that will nudge you along the road creativity,especially as you begin to adapt and experiment with them. When discovering new ideas online, be sure to use the various bookmarking and curation tools available today, and follow the curetted collections or lists of others. Curation will also help you to be more resourceful: you’ll have ideas and activities at your fingertips in case things go wrong!
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