WHAT MAKES A GOOD LEARNER?

Once, I read or heard somewhere that ‘the main aim of good teachers should be to make themselves unimportant for their students”, and that is true.

From my point of view, the same is to say that the aim of a teacher is to make their students competent speakers of the language. However, making someone competent is not an easy task, on the contrary, it is a very hard one. Trying to argue why requires responding the question: who is responsible for the learning process? The institution? Students? Teachers? All of them?

I share Jeremy Harmer’s idea in How to Teach English in which he says that “Teachers are not, ultimately responsible for their students’ motivation. They can only encourage by word and deed. Real motivation comes from within each individual”; also, of an old saying that states that “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.” The students have a very important role in this relationship school-teacher-student, the most important one I’d put. In other words, your success depends mostly on you.

So, looking for a new motto? What about this one: "Being a good learner will guarantee an effective productivity during my stay at the school."? It sounds good, doesn't it? =)

Take a look at the list and see how much you fit the description.

Good learners…

a. do their homework.

b. do not get late for classes.

c. do not miss classes.

d. are highly motivated to learn.

e. integrates into the culture of its speakers.

f. have a positive attitude toward their study.

g. take risks during the classes.

h. take responsibility for their own learning.

i. do not wait to be taught.

j. are curious about the language.

l. study by themselves.

m. are willing to listen.

n. are willing to ask questions.

o. are willing to accept correction.

p. participate.

q. study before classes.

r. do the mnemônica study at home.

s. do not forget their material.

t. takes notes during the class.

u. watch films and listen to songs in the language.

v. have a good relationship with the school and teachers.

x. spend their time and money on studying the language.

z. get emotionally involved.

See you,
Instructor Rafa.