Recently I have questioned
myself about my life as a teacher. For
more than 15 years, I have been an English teacher, and it has been quite easy,
without many complications. I just plan
my classes, always being, depending on the moment, a facilitator, motivator, manager,
controller, prompter, entertainer, juggler, presenter or arbitrator, among
other roles.
However, is that what I want
to continue doing? Do I really want to last
being just an English teacher? Do I want to become a trainer?? Difficult questions that need to be analyzed.
Since I started working at
International House my own view as a teacher has changed, and more after I
started my online Teacher Training Course.
Why? Because now I am not just
going to continue being a teacher, but a trainer, which I find more difficult
and it requires a lot of thinking, and much more working and training. At the beginning of this course, I did my
tasks thinking as a teacher, and of course, I was completely wrong. It took me a little time (or maybe I am still
in that process) to make that switch in my mind.
But what is the difference
between been a teacher and a trainer?
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:
- Teach: ‘To cause to know something’, ‘to guide the studies of’, ‘to impart the knowledge of’, ‘to instruct by precept, example, or experience’.
- Train: ‘To form by instruction, discipline, or drill’, ‘to make prepared for a test of skill’.
Trainers help learners to
use their knowledge and apply it; it is practical oriented. It helps trainees to
learn specific skills to perform a particular task. In training, the learner approaches for the
knowledge as he realizes the need to know.
When teaching, you do not
need to describe where the principles for your teaching practice come
from. In training, principles need to be
deeply exemplified in every practice. You
must have a good understanding of the content you teach and the capacity to
transform it into clear, concise messages and practice through tasks and
materials.
Trainers should also be
involved in other important tasks like class observation, giving feedback, guiding
trainees when lesson planning, supporting teachers while they process new
knowledge and experience, among others.
So, do I want to become a
trainer? Definitely yes, because I believe it is a good opportunity to grow as
a teacher. It requires a lot of effort,
study and time. You need to be active,
updated, and well-prepared. It activates
your mind, your creativity and you become more competent. Being a trainer makes
you challenge yourself and this means to develop in all senses. It is not going to be that easy and it will require
some time, but I think that I am on my way.
