This blog is to help all those who have dared to become Teachers of English as a Foreign Language. 

First of all, ‘Welcome to the club.’ Nothing is more fun than teaching English as a foreign language. In the beginning, one may feel a bit shy and nervous. Honestly it's ok to be nervous. I have been an English Teacher for 20 years now. Even after so many years, from time to time, I feel nervy. It actually helps me to take my job seriously.

Here are a few steps to overcome this problem:

1. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.  
The easiest way to face a class is to prepare the lesson well. Children can tell if you are prepared or not in under 2 minutes. Teaching aids will take the eyes of the students off you. Prepare and take a few teaching aids to the class. E.g. Flip Charts, Magazines with a few pictures, Colourful Posters, or even a Model. (I once took an earthen jar to my class to teach 'Ode on a Grecian Urn'). Be innovative and manipulative - use what you have, do not worry about what you do not have. 

2. Greet them.
As soon as you enter the class room, greet everyone pleasantly. Be loud and clear. Never mumble. 

3. Use Black Board / Screen judiciously. 
Never show your back to your children while writing on the board. As soon as you enter the class room write the Title of the lesson you are about to teach on the black board. (If you are using an LCD Projector - show your Title slide immediately) This will work as magic. This is the easiest way to direct their attention to the subject and not to yourself.

4. Be loving but firm.
Smile. Honey draws flies not vinegar. Children hate grumpy teachers. But be firm otherwise they will take you for a ride. Use only positive reinforcers. (E.g. Well said, Well done, Excellent, Very Good and so on). Never say anything negative. This will sour relationships.

5. Manage Time.
If your class is for 40 minutes, prepare a lesson for at least 50 minutes. Beginners tend to be nervous. Nervous people rush through. You shouldn't finish your lesson in 30 minutes. This can be disastrous. Children can harass you asking all sorts of questions. Some of them may simply jump up and down of course, yelling all the time. Keep them busy. Do not let them control the class. Remember you are the boss.

6. Learn to relax and enjoy.
Remember it's all right to make a few mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Be honest. When you make a mistake say sorry. It is human not to know everything. Once again be honest. It's a virtue to say: 'I don't know.' Tell them that you would clarify the next day. And don't forget to do so the next day.

7. Praise publicly, Appraise privately. 
Never argue with children. Even when provoked, do not raise your voice at all. Being firm is different from being strict. Jesus was never strict but He was always firm. Firmness has love and compassion as its foundation, whereas self-righteousness is the foundation of strictness. Trouble makers should not be corrected in front of the whole class especially in a co-education setup. Talk to them after the class privately. You will be surprised at the results. Never say wrong things about students who are absent. Always say good things about those who are present. To praise your children, you need to discover their positive traits. Keep your eyes open. You will find only that which you are looking for. The hummingbird always finds its honey and the hawk its carrion.

I sincerely hope that these few tips would help some lonely souls.