How to Find the Right English Teacher for You

If you're really serious about learning English, it's important to carefully choose the right teacher for you. Studying English is an investment, so it's better to choose your English teacher wisely.

We'll talk about certain things you need to considering when looking for the right teacher. Remember that different students have different needs, so there might not be one perfect teacher for everyone.

Keep in mind though that "you get what you pay for." So while you should not go out looking for the most expensive education, try to achieve a balance and don't aim for the cheapest. Usually, the teachers who offer the cheapest services have little confidence over their ability and would just like to break into the industry. I'm not saying that teachers offering a low rate are not competent enough, but a teacher who's compensated fairly enough is more likely to take care of your needs and keep your goals in mind.

Some teachers specialize in teaching beginners while some are very good in pleasing advanced students. It's always best to try out a teacher's services before deciding once and for all. Some teachers offer free trial lesson, so don't hesitate to sign up, esp. when you're not really required to sign up for his/her lessons after the trial. If there is no trial lesson, ask if the teacher would accept payment for only one lesson, and then see from there whether you'll be better off studying with that teacher in the long run.

First of all, the teacher must be competent enough in the subject matter. If you're just beginning to study English, it might be hard to determine a teacher's competence. In this case, try to ask a friend to help you or ask others what they think about this particular teacher.

Just because a person is a native English speaker doesn't automatically mean he'll be a good English teacher. In fact, some of the native speakers/teachers I've encountered don't know the difference between 'it's' and 'its' or when to use 'loose' or 'lose.' Certainly, a lot of them are qualified to teach, but not all. Remember that a person who's good in a particular subject isn't automatically the best person to teach that subject. For example, not all computer programmers can teach computer programming.

Teaching is a gift, and not all are gifted to teach. Teaching involves imparting one's knowledge the best and easiest way he could. A teacher has to have good communication skills, as well as good people skills. A good teacher can make a very difficult subject seem easy. He/She has an uncanny ability to identify the logic behind something.

A teacher has to be sensitive to the student's needs and should be determined to monitor and ensure his progress. After all, the teacher's main goal should be for you to improve in English. Make sure that you and your teacher know what your goals are.

Look for the English teacher who pays attention to the different areas of learning: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation, etc. To be good in a language, one has to work on several areas, not just one. So make sure that you're not neglecting a specific area.

One common mistake that learners of the English language think is that only native English speakers can teach English. Sometimes, non-native speakers of English might be the right teacher for you. Why? Excellence can be achieved by any nationality, given the right talents and opportunities. More often, English teachers whose native language is not English might be more patient with those trying to learn English because they have also experienced learning it at one point in their lives.

Like you, there was a point when they didn't know anything and had to start learning the most basic things. Like you, they didn't grow up with everyone around them speaking in English. They had to work hard and determine which methods and ways are effective for learning English. That is why, they can understand when you find a certain lesson difficult, and when you make mistakes.

But, don't be fooled. Just because the teacher praises your improvement or gives you compliment everytime doesn't mean he/she is the best teacher for you. At the end of the day, what matters is what or how much you learned. It's better to stick to the teacher who gives an honest (although sometimes painful) assessment than to the one who merely does lip service but doesn't deliver.

Learning another language certainly helps a language teacher become better. He/She becomes more familiar with different patterns in languages and their nuances. It's even better if the teacher is familiar with the native language of the student as he/she can compare and or state the differences.

But when you look for an English teacher whose first language is not English, you have to be very careful and to pay attention to the details. As much as possible, choose one who has a neutral or native-like accent. As we often say, it's hard to correct mistakes that you got used to. So try to learn the right way from the start.

It's better to find an English teacher who loves to read as reading is one of the most effective ways to improve grammar. In fact, non-native speakers can beat the native speakers in grammar if the latter hardly read. Aside from that, it'd be easier for bookworms to teach writing. Since they are familiar with different kinds of writing styles and techniques, they're more likely to know how to write well.

These are just some pointers to remember when looking for the right English teacher. There could be many other points to consider. When in doubt, review the basics, or you can ask me a question or two.

Happy hunting!