My English teachers in Primary School

When I was in Primary school, my English teachers followed the textbook section by section. We learnt a lot of vocabularies and expressions from the textbook. Besides, each year's teacher taught us grammar through chalk and talk. They also guided us to produce 1 or 2 notebooks each year, to keep record of what we had learnt. For example, in P.2 I was asked to draw a table with opposite words.

However, although the in-class activities were similar, different teachers' personality and approach produced different effect.

There was a teacher who had bad temper. One day, a classmate of mine made a careless mistake - missing out a full stop in his homework. Can you guess what was the reaction of the teacher? She shouted at the student and she said, in Cantonese, "You already have a mole on your left cheek. Do you want me to draw another mole on your right cheek to remind you of writing full stops?" I didnt understand why my teacher was so angry. I only knew that what she said had hurt my classmate's feeling. As a teacher, her behavior was a bad example to the pupils who were always encouraged to be considerate and respectful. Moreover, learning in a fearful environment, the students might associate the subject with anxiety, which definetely would hinder the progress of learning.

There was another teacher, who could speak like a native. Although she did not lead any communicative activity, her dramatic speech attracted the class's attention successfully. Moreover, she was always encouraging which increased my interest in learning English.

Students' motivation and a happy environment is essential for learning. When I teach, I would try my best to create an atmosphere that makes my students feel secured.