Teaching Skills

Teaching Skills

Introduction

Teaching today is regarded as a difficult profession where teachers are bestowed with the responsibility of imparting the best knowledge to the students. They are considered to be the second parents of a child, and need to know various skills and develop activity plans to make sure that the student has learnt best when they leave the classroom. Teachers usually utilize a child-centered approach to learning so that students are totally involved in what is being taught to them (Blumberg, 2012). A child-centered approach is increasingly encouraged today in Maldives. Teachers often critically observe and analyze which approach of teaching, teacher-centered or student-centered shall be worth adapting for the classroom. A child-centered course and classroom plan focuses over the student where the student receives and assimilates knowledge (Blumberg, 2012). It is commonly believed that at higher levels of education and developing a cognitive learning environment, students are required to build their knowledge through various activities and keeping them engaged in learning actively. The following paper discusses the importance of a student-centered approach and describes an activity plan for teaching various skills of learning, writing and teaching grammar for students of Maldives National University along with the importance of improving and developing the basic language skills.

Discussion

Advantages of a student-centered approach to learning and teaching

Research suggests that institutions must implement a student-centered approach to learning as compared to a teacher-centered approach. The advantages include increased knowledge base in which a student determines what is important for him and filters information according to importance and relevancy. In a student-centered learning environment, the student is able to reflect on his own thoughts and the thoughts of the teachers which is an essential aspect of learning (writing.colostate.edu). When a child learns in a conducive environment, he is motivated and is satisfied with the school norms and strives for achievement. Theories indicate that when students encounter social interaction activities and tasks, they believe, behave and think in a certain manner according to their own differences and capabilities as learning is thought to be a social process (pixel.fhda.edu).

Skills of Language Learning

Language learning involves improving the student's skills of speaking, writing and grammar. The purpose of proper learning is to enable the student to use the language properly. Speaking is inter-related to listening. The two way communication that takes place between the teacher and the student or the student with other students helps in removing the defects of the communication abilities (www.nclrc.org). Speaking also involves thinking hard and making sure that whatever is spoken is spoken right. The next set of learning is writing in which the student is provided with physical evidences and strives for improving the skills and making improvements. The student is able to grasp vocabulary and writing structure and understand compositions(Kayi, 2006). Grammar skills involve the skills of improving the usage of grammar including tenses and punctuations (Beare, 2013). The following activities can be used in various classroom settings for improving the speaking, writing and grammar skills of the ...