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Whether you are a seasoned professional starting a new year at a school you’ve taught at for years, or you’re teaching your very first ESL class, the first day teaching can be very intimidating. Teaching English as a second language, whether in your home country or in a non-English speaking country, can be especially difficult due to the language barrier faced by both the students and the teacher. Because of the language barrier in ESL classes, it is vital to build rapport with your students to create a productive and comfortable learning environment. Building rapport, or a trusting and respectful relationship, with your students is a crucial element in allowing them to feel free and comfortable to express themselves in English. This should begin on the first day and carry on throughout the entirety of the course for best results. This essay outlines a few techniques which can help establish and maintain rapport with your students. The simplest method to use on the first day of class is to learn the names of your students. While this may be a bit difficult if the names are in a language you do not speak, memorizing the names of each student shows you care and helps prepare for two-way conversations in the classroom. This may take a while to learn, but being able to address each student individually by their name can go a long way in building relationships. Another great tool for establishing rapport is learning about your students’ interests. Teaching a class should not be a one-way conversation with the teacher simply talking at the students. It is important to find out their interests by asking them, thus increasing student talk time, and by paying attention to what topics pique their interests. Make sure to incorporate these interests into your lesson plans to increase participation and focus. It is also vital to take into account the culture and background of the students you are teaching. Some cultures view speaking out as impolite which might lead to awkward silence in the classroom at times. Learning about the culture of your students, especially if you are in a monolingual/monocultural classroom, not only demonstrates to your students that you are making the effort to get to know their culture, but will also allow you to understand different classroom dynamics and relate to them better. While learning about your students is a great step in building rapport in the classroom, it is also important to teach them about yourself. If you’re anxious on your first day, the chances are that your students are also just as anxious as you. They might not want to open up if you’re not willing to do so yourself. Showcasing a bit about your life and allowing your students to ask questions opens the floor for a two-way dialogue and can create a comfortable environment. This also allows them to learn more about your culture and the language they are studying. It is important, however, to maintain professionalism and not be too personal with your students. Boundaries should be established early on. The last technique for creating and maintaining rapport in the classroom is to not be afraid to make mistakes and admit when you’re wrong. Many students, some more than others depending on their cultural background, may be incredibly afraid to make mistakes and, therefore, not feel comfortable speaking out in the classroom. If you as the teacher feel comfortable making fun of yourself or admitting when you’ve made a mistake, you can create a more relaxed environment for students to speak up even if they are not certain what they’re saying is correct. While these techniques may seem obvious, they are very important factors in building and maintaining rapport in an ESL classroom. Each one of the aforementioned techniques is vital in creating an environment in which students can comfortably and effectively learn. Missing one of these methods can have a negative impact on the atmosphere in the classroom. It’s important to remember to get to know your students and let them get to know you. The mutually respectful and trusting relationship between you will allow for the students to flourish in the English language and have them looking forward to your next lesson.
