A Teacher is …A Teacher is …

Dr. Khaing Phyu Htut

Access English Manager

British Council

BackgroundBackground• World Teachers’ Day - held annually on

October 5th since 1994 - created by UNESCO

• The day may sound new - in Myanmar culture - teachers in the same position as Lord Buddha, valued scriptures, venerable Monks, and parents

• Myanmars give respect to teachers all year long

The best teacher I have ever metThe best teacher I have ever met• Please tell about the best teacher that

you have ever met to the person nearest.

• Time given – 3 minutes• No name.• Where and when you met.• Why he/she is the best for you.• How he/she is different from others.

The worst teacher I have ever metThe worst teacher I have ever met

• Please tell about the worst teacher that you have ever met to the person nearest.

• Time given – 3 minutes• No name.• Where and when you met.• Why he/she is the worst for you.• How he/she is different from others.

A TEACHER IS …A TEACHER IS …

• How can you define a teacher?• With a partner, try to finish the sentence

‘A teacher is …’ (Not more than 20 words)

• Time given = 5 minutes• Exchange sheets • Who’d like to share what they’ve got?

Question For TeachersQuestion For Teachers: Have : Have you ever received a card like you ever received a card like that?that?Question For StudentsQuestion For Students::Have you ever given a card like Have you ever given a card like that to your teacher?that to your teacher?

Qualities of a good teacherQualities of a good teacher

• Kind• Patient• Understanding• Caring• Approachable• Knowledgeable• Responsible• Influencing

• Creative• Up to date• Make lesson

interesting and fun• Link lessons to the

outside world• Possess IT

knowledge and skills• Cater to different

learning styles and strategies

Let’s debate!Let’s debate!• Teachers are to blame for the deterioration in

education systems. • With the closet person, form into pairs.• Combine with another pair. • Draw lots. If your pair gets B, try to put the

blame on teachers and if you get T, fend for teachers.

• Would somebody from T group like to present the blames received? Would somebody from T group like to present how they fended for teachers?

All coins have two sides!All coins have two sides!• Very dictatorial. • Don’t like questions from students.• Lessons are not interesting.• Teaching techniques are uniform and

boring.• Students can’t apply what they have learnt

in the classroom (Just finish school or university and nothing else).

All coins have two sides!All coins have two sides!• How can a classroom be managed if not

authoritarian.• How can I know all the answers in the

world.• I teach according to the prescribed text.• I myself was taught in the same way, have

not received training or support.• This is beyond our reach.

Shall we conclude like that?Shall we conclude like that?

• Teaching-learning is a two-way process (sometimes more than two-way)

• If anything gets wrong, we can’t blame Ts alone

• Nobody in the world wants to make a fool of himself in front of a class

• No one wants to be a bad teacher• Every teacher tries his best!

Who shall we remember on 5Who shall we remember on 5 thth Oct? Oct?

Who shall we remember on 5Who shall we remember on 5 thth Oct? Oct?

Questions to ask oneselfQuestions to ask oneself• Teachers – ‘Are my students learning

well?’ rather than ‘Am I teaching well?’• Learners – ‘What should I do in class and

out of class to be a good learner?’• Parents – ‘How can I help the teacher and

my children in the teaching learning process?’

• Admin – ‘How can we make teachers better and happier?’

Some questions to ponder…Some questions to ponder…

• Is it easy to be a teacher?• Is it easy to be a good teacher?• How can we measure how good a

teacher is? • Who are best teachers?

Let’s commemorate Teachers’ Day Let’s commemorate Teachers’ Day for our teachers!for our teachers!• T (Trustworthy)• E (Educated)• A (Altruistic)• C (Caring)• H (Honourable)• E (Ethical) • R (Responsible)

A poem for my teacher!A poem for my teacher!

• Things that grown-up mind defies Appear as giants in children's eyes. A gentle touch upon my headA simple word when kindly said.Complete attention when I call.I knowing you have given all.Correcting in a loving way.Instilling trust in what you say.

A poem for my teacher!A poem for my teacher!• Making me believe unique

The tiny flaw upon my cheek.Admiring old and faded dresses.Reminding me we all make messes.Words of comfort you've softly spokenA promise you've made I know won't ever be broken.Your knowing my doll that was lost todayIs just as important as bills you can't pay.

A poem for my teacher!A poem for my teacher!

• Helping make my plans and schemesGiving me hope and building my dreams.All of this and so much moreIs in my mind forever stored.They who touch a child’s life awhileCan either make or break that child.Education is important, true,

A poem for my teacher!A poem for my teacher!• But so much more, a child’s faith in

you.You've weathered through the storm and strife;You helped to build a small child's life.You're truly one to be admired.For you gave more than was required.

• - Adaptation of Pat McClain’s ‘I love my teacher’

How to get the Presentation How to get the Presentation PowerPoint? How to contact me?PowerPoint? How to contact me?

• http://www.myanmar-network.net• khaingphyu.htut@mm.britishcouncil.org

Let’s give love and Let’s give love and understanding to our teachers! understanding to our teachers! Thank you very much!Thank you very much!