▶ Your Answer : Personally, I believe that both abilities are important for a teacher. Therefore, I am qualified in response to the prompt. A teacher's ability to relate well with students becomes significantly essential, when the students are underperforming or struggling. Conversely, the ability to give knowledge is crucial when students are studying well and willing to learn more.
During this summer vacation, I recently taught high school students at an international school in Korea. Before doing this, I have been a tutor in various situations and subjects for over 7 years. I have also been a teaching assistant for courses in college. However, this teaching post threw me another challenge. Unlike the previous students I have dealt with, I was to teach after-school remedial classes for students who are failing one or more core curriculum subjects. Being a teacher for these students was entirely different from being one for students who are willing and trying to learn. Rather than constantly reviewing the concepts from textbooks or assigning work for them to do, I had to relate to them first. In other words, I had to become more than just a teacher; I had to be a mentor who would guide them and motivate them first about learning. This process was new for me and difficult one to be adjusted to, but it was necessary. The students had to be put in the right mindset first before they could seriously attempt to learn the material. Thus, in this circumstance, where the students are disorderly, struggling, and not motivated, the teacher's ability to relate well with students is critically important.
In contrast, a teacher's ability to give knowledge plays a major role, when students excel and are willing to learn. For example, people attend universities to pursue a higher education. Therefore, the students in college are ready and willing to learn and expect the professors and staff to convey the necessary knowledge. Truthfully speaking, the professor's ability to relate well with students often does not matter in colleges. Of course, students visit professors and build close relationships with the ones in their major or field. However, otherwise, the professors do not interact with students that much especially in a large lecture. What matters more in this case is the professor's ability to give knowledge to students, so they obtain what they paid for. The teacher's purpose here is to convey as much knowledge as possible for students and make certain that the students comprehend the material.
In conclusion, it is clear that, depending on different circumstances, either ability can be more important than the other. For a teacher who is teaching unmotivated, struggling students, it is important for him or her to relate to the students well. As a teacher who teachers willing and able students, it is important to have the ability to give knowledge. All things considered, I may claim that it would be better for a teacher to have both these qualities and be prepared for every situation.
------------------------------------------------------------------ 읽어 주셔서 정말 감사합니다! 저가 위에 agree/disagree 한게 아니라 중간위치를 택했습니다 (qualifying stance). 토플에서 이렇게 해도 되나요? 아니면 꼭 한 쪽으로 편을 들어야 하나요? Again, thank you for your time and effort!!! | |