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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Every day, teachers work to change lives. Successful Spanish teachers are not necessarily the ones who can teach their students the most vocabulary words. Successful Spanish teachers work to cultivate character, work ethic and enthusiasm for learning in students. You will find that helping your students achieve these qualities is personally enriching for you as a teacher.
People sometimes do not consider creativity an intellectual asset, but the world relies on creative thinkers to drive innovation and change. Creative thinkers are skillful problem solvers and calculated risk takers. Nurture creativity in your students by giving them opportunities to experiment in the classroom. Instead of handing out worksheets every day, you could ask your students to communicate what they have learned through their own preferred medium, such as videos, art or blog posts.
Adolescence is a challenging time in the best of circumstances, and some of your students may be struggling with additional issues like divorce, hunger and homelessness. Your students will need self-confidence as they prepare to graduate and build lives for themselves. Your Spanish classroom can be the perfect environment to cultivate it. Make a note of the strengths and weaknesses of each student and ask them to develop a brief class presentation to teach the skills they know well to the rest of the class. Teaching skills students already comfortable with can build self-esteem when learning a second language.
No matter where your students’ paths will take them in the future, they will need to understand what it means to be part of a team. Good teamwork requires mutual respect, leadership, and a willingness to do one’s share of the work. Teamwork also teaches students that they can contribute to something greater than what they could have achieved on their own. It teaches them how to set their own egos aside and take pleasure in shared accomplishment.
Sometimes, the best lessons a spanish teacher can share have nothing to do with Spanish textbooks or grammar worksheets. After they graduate, your students will need to be informed and open-minded. Get them off to an early start by setting aside the textbook now and then, and giving your students the freedom to pursue outside topics of interest, such as current events in the many Spanish-speaking areas of the world.
If you are fluent in Spanish or simply wish to share your passion for language, consider enrolling in a language-related degree program at Grand Canyon University. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences has many resources to enrich your education. To learn more, visit our website or click on the Request More Information button on this page.
