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Teaching Styles And Classroom Management

We all have our own images of the ideal teacher and classroom. We all have visions of what it is like to be in front of a class. Just as these imagined scenes will differ greatly from person to person, so too will the reality of what you find in schools. Teachers all have their own personalities; classes have personalities too. This can be both a help and a hindrance.

Some people find it easier than others to be spontaneous in front of large groups of children. Some teaching styles are more interactive than others. In the 'About You' section of this resource there is a quiz you can try which should help you become more aware of possible teaching approaches you can adopt. In the meantime here are ten tips to think about.

  1. Do your homework. Whether or not your style is a spontaneous one, always prepare the aims, objectives and core content of your lesson thoroughly. It's not only pedagogically the best way but it helps avoid anxious moments when you can't think what you're doing or why you're there.
  2. Find out what the class can already be expected to know. Check that the content is realistic for the knowledge levels of the pupil and the time allocated.
  3. Find out what style is used by the class's teacher. Are the children used to being very regimented - or ruled with very light hand? Think about the implications of this for your own presentation.
  4. Always check where the teacher will be during the lesson and what to do in case of problems.
  5. Try to use a variety of teaching techniques within one lesson (e.g. discussion, video, presentation, group work) relating to the age and knowledge of the pupils.
  6. Always go through the lesson in advance with the class teacher.
  7. Try to involve pupils actively in the lesson. This may take a bit of practice.
  8. Don't expect that pupils will necessarily behave in the same way as you used to in school.
  9. If things go wrong, don't get too diverted into worrying about what is happening or why. Try to carry on purposefully. You can analyse the situation afterwards, perhaps with the help of the teacher, and adjust it for next time. And don't just blame yourself. There may be difficulties with individuals or the class that you don't know anything about.
  10. Remember you can succeed - and you don't have to get it completely right first time.