February 16, 2023
5 Essential Skills for Teachers and Trainers
Like any activity in life, teaching or training adults comes with its own set of challenges. To overcome these, you’ll need the right skills to deal with them.
Organising and teaching a course isn’t a case of just showing up and effortlessly turning out interesting, engaging and valuable lessons. Of course, great teachers make it look effortless, but in fact, they are deploying a range of teaching skills – all of which you can learn and put into practice.
1. Planning
Planning your course, lesson, training session, or staff induction is a definite skill in its own right. Indeed, planning is so important that it is a significant component of all adult teacher training courses, from the entry-level AET (Award in Education and Training) to the Level 5 Diploma.Â
To plan your teaching properly, you’ll need to start by clearly and logically laying out what you need the learners to achieve by the end of their training, i.e. what they will be able to do, know, demonstrate or understand following your contact with them. This will give you a clear idea of what you will work towards while teaching.
You’ll then need to consider the time and resources available to get the class to achieve these things – as these are the limitations you will plan around. A clearly structured lesson plan will give you a good guide as to which areas or topics you will cover and guide you through the different teaching methods you will use. Think of your lesson plan as a map showing your route; good planning skills make teaching a smooth and enjoyable journey for you and your learners.
2. Time ManagementÂ
Like stand-up comedy, dinner party anecdotes and TV news bulletins, all good teaching and training depends on good timing. Your pre-course planning will help you with this, but on the day itself, as you are facing your pupils, guiding, supporting and enthusing them, you will need to keep your mind on the time.:
- Aim to fit your lesson into the time available without rushing, cutting corners, or running out of time. As well as
- Make sure that the different class activities that you have planned get completed within the time available.
- Check that questions and requests from your group don’t delay your overall progress as time goes by.
3. Presentation
People regularly mention presentation skills when discussing teacher training. Your role and responsibility as a trainer is to impart knowledge, skills, ability and information to your learners.
 The presentation skills that count here are not slick PowerPoint slides, fancy clothes or witty comments. What makes the difference is smoothly and confidently delivering your lessons straightforwardly and clearly. Remember, there is nothing wrong with referring to notes, prompt cards or a computer screen as you progress through a training session, as long as you are not dithering and appearing uncertain. Confidence, speech clarity, approachability and a logical progression from one topic to another are essential. Presentation skills can be learnt, practised and perfected as you gain experience.
4. Classroom ManagementÂ
If we could pinpoint a superhero skill for teachers and trainers, that would undoubtedly be classroom management as part of their leadership skills. This involves many tasks, from maintaining discipline and creating a positive learning environment to managing and understanding different student behaviours – in a nutshell, creating a space where education can happen smoothly.Â
This skill is not merely about quieting a noisy class; it also fosters an environment of respect where every learner feels valued. It’s about creating a structured setting that encourages active participation and empowers your students to exhibit the best version of themselves. Let’s face it – even the best curriculum can falter if not propelled by classroom management techniques.Â
Remember, learning should involve academic growth and social and emotional development. Classroom management skills contribute to a student’s overall learning experience, and when these skills are well-practised, the connection between teaching and learning strengthens, paving the way for effective education.Â
5. CommunicationÂ
Without question, communication serves as a foundation for effective teaching. For teachers and trainers, it means more than just getting your ideas across; it involves understanding the words, thoughts, feelings, and context behind the messages you receive from your learners. Effective communication goes both ways, and it is equally essential to articulate your thoughts, ideas, and expectations clearly and effectively to every student. From clarifying objectives to collective problem-solving, strong communication is indispensable in the teaching toolbox.Â
Effective communication is not just verbal. Non-verbal cues such as body language, tone of voice, and even silence can convey powerful messages. Learning to manage these is an integral part of improving your communication skills.Â
Yet, communication requires the ability to adapt. This is where the difference between hard and soft skills comes into play. Hard skills are fundamental, such as your subject knowledge and academic qualifications. However, soft skills such as empathy, patience, and the ability to adjust your teaching style to the individual needs of your learners are just as necessary. Both these skills have to work hand in hand to create a conducive learning environment.
Learn teaching skills with Carlton TrainingÂ
Consider taking your education career to the next level with Carlton Training. With a range of engaging courses, we enable educators to gain the practical skills and knowledge they need based on current teaching standards.Â
You have the passion. We provide the tools. So why wait to enhance your teaching or training journey? Take the leap and contact us today – unlock your potential to inspire minds and change lives.
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