Teacher’s acting / performance skills as a pedagogical necessity and their relationship to student’s motivation and achievement Артистизм педагога как условие эффективного преподавания иностранных языков Автор презентации: Ваганова Жанна Валентиновна, учитель английского языка МАОУ АСОШ

How to be a good teacher? What makes a good teacher?

Good teachers should make their lessons interesting so you don’t fall asleep in them. They must love their job and really enjoy it. They have their own personality and doesn’t hide it from students. They should be able to correct students without offending them. A good teacher is someone who helps rather than shouts.

Our goals: to waken interest, to teach successfully, helping more students to learn more. Factors we can’t change: their basic intelligence, family background, learning style. Factor within our control: teacher’s style, our manner and enthusiasm.

Teacher’s craft: every word, intonation and look counts; the rhythm of teaching and the pattern (or shape) of a lesson are under the control. Enthusiasm is the key to being a successful teacher (Soenksen).

Effective teachers motivate their students with an enthusiastic style of teaching (Brophy and Good). A great teacher has intensity and communicates it enthusiastically (Hanning)

A teacher who is not able to convey enthusiasm for his or her subject labors under a great handicap. Students are unwilling to accept a teacher who cannot transmit to them something of the excitement of his or her field (Jordan).

For boosting teacher’s effectiveness we must adopt some creative verbal and nonverbal techniques. The techniques we recommend are found in the world of the actor.

Teaching is like performing art: both actors and teachers have audience and a message to convey. They have common top-tray tools from a craftperson’s “toolbox”. Teachers as actors can generate interest, give students a feeling that something important has been achieved.

Teacher’s passion, fascination with the subject, his sense of confidence energize his students. Successful teaching is a shift from informative to performative (Conquergood). Successful practitioners agree: there are real educational foundations for using acting skills in today’s classroom, and teaching with energy and freshness.

Being in the spotlight can be frightening and nerves make us behave differently. How to prevent paralysing symptoms such as breathlessness or a dry mouth? The first step to mask your nerves and anxieties is to get rid of any signs of tension. And the way you breathe is a key factor.

Pause for thought Another tip is simply to pause Pause for thought Another tip is simply to pause. This allows you to organize your thoughts, so you can avoid repeating yourself, and makes you appear calm and in control. Developing presence means you can set the tone in your classroom and command attention.

How should teachers use their physical presence, nonverbal expression and voices in class?

What is nonverbal communication (NVC)? All communication conveyed other than the words: Kinesics (body movement/expressions/gestures) Physical characteristics (appearance/smell) Haptics (i.e. touching) Proxemics (space/physical environment) Chronemics (time) Paralanguage (voice) Objects and visuals

Awareness of nonverbal signals is necessary for a teacher Awareness of nonverbal signals is necessary for a teacher. Acting skills include animation in body (physical animation).

A physically dynamic teacher uses the tools of postural changes and commands the class' attention, shows that he has something important to say, emphasizes and encourages. We know that actions speak louder than words! It is very important to move about the classroom and to communicate with students physically.

Recommendations for productive teacher animation: adopt a relaxed and positive facial expression; make eye contact; smile! Try to see yourself through the students’ eyes: think about your appearance. Use different gestures to help clarity, to express delight or boredom.

Do not forget about your posture and overall movement Do not forget about your posture and overall movement. Think about behaviors to avoid!

How should teachers talk to students How should teachers talk to students? We must improve our personal speech (communicating vocally is one of the crucial acting skills)

“Let me tell you a story…” Think of yourself as a storyteller, conveying a secret through your teaching. Vary your language: use active verbs to create excitement and an emotional response. Appear energetic and eager to talk about your subject. Behave as if you are enjoying yourself (even if you are tired!)

Some practical strategies of stress management: take care of yourself so that you can take care of your students. Treat every day as a new day and strive to be a little better each day. But don’t try to be perfect. Focus on what is in your control.

Try to free up your teaching style Try to free up your teaching style. For some time move away from chalk, books and talk. Ask yourself: what can I really do to help my students learn? Do not forget that drama techniques and your own acting skills are powerful teaching strategies.