Learning from Our Teachers

As another year comes to a close, SingTeach asks some teachers what they’ve learnt.

“Every teacher must have a very good oral and written command of the language, especially grammar and accurate usage of vocabulary. Be persistent in pursuing teaching goals until evidence of achievement can be seen in students’ work. Teachers must do their part in achieving overall department success and read to upgrade themselves.”

– Ms Ameline Sia, teaching for 28 years

“‘I see, I think, I wonder…’ – This is one of the many thinking routines that teachers at River Valley High School used to promote a ‘thought-full’ classroom. Short and simple to implement, these routines are a set of questions or procedures that can be used to get students to ‘think visibly’, so as to create and nurture a thinking culture. Since the beginning of 2008, teachers have caught on this very simple yet powerful way to engage our students to deepen and extend their thinking beyond what they see. Based on the Visible Thinking project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, thinking routines have definitely changed the way we teach.”

– Mr Choy Ban Heng, teaching for 8 years

“To give your students more practice at speaking fluently, make them take turns to present a subject of their choice at the start of each English lesson. Set some guidelines but give them enough freedom to share something of interest to them. And do prepare a ‘Topic of the Day’, for the benefit of students who may have conveniently ‘forgotten’ that it was their turn to present. This would give them something to talk about anyway. If possible, try to assign some marks to this exercise or reward them for the best presentation made. This will encourage them to take this activity seriously.”

– Mrs Lim, taught for 6.5 years

“It is always good to have a few games up your sleeve. This would help your class combat sleepiness in the middle of the day. Try and remember the more interesting ice-breaking games you have played and get your class to work through it with you. I find that the best ones are those that require some form of movement. After that, everyone will be awake and refreshed!”

– Mr Chronos Kwok, teaching for 3 years

“Opening up students’ horizons to the communicative capacities of the English language through lessons is a challenge and joy. I am inspired when students gain satisfaction from being able to translate the value of the language from the classroom to their everyday lives. The key to success is passion, constant self-reflection and the belief that every small improvement in our students matters.”

– Ms Joy Koh, teaching for 3 years

“Students, like anyone else and yourself, love to be heard. Spend some time listening to them and you will see an improvement in their learning attitude. The personal time you sacrifice is definitely worthwhile when you see them raising their hands eagerly to answer your questions and when they hand up their work on time.”

– Miss Yanling, teaching for 4 months