The teachers have suggested different requirements for an effective lesson.
Interestingly, their ideas might be treated as possible indicators of the general criteria mentioned in the Ministry-mandated criteria for an effective lesson.
Teacher and student talking time
The teachers were aware of the active role of students in class. According to them, more time should be spent on student learning. This was emphasized by Teacher 2 that,
Teacher takes the role of a guide or an organizer in class, not only the role of the one who delivers knowledge while students take more active roles in their learning activities. Therefore, the amount of teacher talking time and student talking time should be taken into consideration. Teachers shouldn’t talk too much. Instead more time should be given for student practice.
Use of English in instructions
The use of English and the mother tongue in class also received much attention. What agreed upon was that more English should be used by teachers in class. However, the amount of English used also depended on a particular lesson. For example, Teacher 3 said in the interview that,
Teachers are encouraged to use English in class to create a communicative environment. However, they should be careful with the use of English for giving
(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10
instructions. They can use mother tongue if they think students need to have better understanding of a language item or know how to do the tasks.
Teaching manner
Teaching manner was mentioned as another factor that promoted relaxed learning atmosphere. According to the teachers, there was a need for teachers to be confident, relaxed and friendly in their performance as good teaching manner motivated students to learn. Following are what Teacher 3 and 6 said in the interview:
Teachers should establish a close relationship with students in class and give immediate encouragement to students and they shouldn’t be too serious with students’ mistakes. (Teacher 6)
Teachers should have a good skill of using body language to make their explanations clear and attractive. (Teacher 3)
Flexibility in teaching
The teachers in this study seem to be experiencing difficulties in teaching new textbooks. This can be seen in the way they voiced their favor of flexibility in handling teaching activities in class. For example, Teacher 1 said,
Depending on a particular lesson, teachers should know how to restructure the tasks to suit their students’ learning styles or language proficiency level. They should know how to adapt the textbook or use teaching aids to make their lessons attractive and effective.
Use of teaching aids
In relation to teaching aids, it seems that the teachers were keen to use what they could afford to meet this criterion for a good lesson. Teacher 3 emphasised the usefulness of simple teaching aids such as pictures and handouts:
Simple teaching aids made by teachers such as pictures and hands outs are practical and useful. They can enhance the effectiveness of a lesson.
This indicates that when teachers are loaded with their teaching, they think of practical and simple and easy-to-make teaching aids which can be used to make lessons more effective.
Teacher – student interactions
The teachers were aware of the need to create a communicative environment in class.
They stressed the importance of interactions between teachers and students. For example, Teacher 1 said in the interview that,
(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10(LUAN.VAN.THAC.SI).Teachers''.and.inspectors''.perceptions.of.an.effective.English.lesson.M.A.Thesis.Linguistics.60.14.10
It is very important to maintain good interactions between teacher and students because it helps to create an active learning atmosphere, in which language is used for communication purposes. Therefore teachers are appreciated for their ability to create good interactions with students.
2.4.2. Inspectors’ perceptions