Guiding Principles for ELT Teachers

Principle of Balance

Principle of Choice

Principle of Duration

Principle of "Living The Present"

Principle of Empathy

Principle of Confidence

Principle of Expectation

Principle of Honor

Principle of Application

Principle of Change

Principle of Respect

Principle of Integration

Principle of Balance
§ Strike the right balance

§ Not too much ..... not too little

§ Physical - Give breaks.

§ Mental - Give different activities.

§ Emotional - Don't provide excess love and support. Raise sense of responsibility.

Principle of Choice
§ Increase awareness regarding choices.

§ Decisions you make at present determine your future.

§ Even though you are not obliged to do anything in life, you should be prepared to accept the consequences of the decisions you do or do not take.

§ The acceptance of the results will enable you to form your decisions with respect to 'what', 'how' , 'where', and 'when'.

§ When you assign values to the events from this point of view, your life turns into heaven providing you lots of opportunities rather than into hell where you may feel burdened with the load of overwhelming responsibilities.

§ Empowerment creates a sense of joy and fulfillment.

§ A decision without action is merely a dream. An action without a decision is a nightmare.

Principle of Duration
§ Take one step at a time.

§ It is quite difficult to accomplish objectives right away. Time is needed to gradually achieve most objectives.

§ Today's Knowledge = Yesterday's Knowledge + 1

§ How else would one develop dart skills to hit bull's-eye from 15 meters?

Principle of "Living In the Present"
§ Seize the moment.

§ You can talk about your accomplishments or your failures in the past, and you can make plans for the future but you cannot live in the past or future. What you live is your present.

§ Do not procrastinate. Roll out your plans, take action, make the most of the time on hand.

Principle of Empathy
§ Display affection.

§ The universe does not judge and/or punish you for your mistakes. You should be the one to be aware of the results of your actions and take lessons from these results in order to avoid committing similar ones.

§ Do not punish your students for their errors. Instead, help them avoid similar errors by making them see and grasp the cause and effect relation. This requires love, empathy, and understanding.

Principle of Confidence
§ Promote confidence.

§ Confidence, gained as a result of experience and attained knowledge, encourages you to work harder and proceed forward toward your objectives.

§ It is vital that a person, who is at the stage of learning a second language or who has chosen teaching as an occupation, is encouraged to develop a feeling of confidence in order proceed with success.

Principle of Expectation
§ Shoot for the stars.

§ We see whatever we look at. Whatever we look at depends on whatever we expect to see.

§ Ascertain that your students are aware of the fact that you believe in their talent and skills - even if they may initially struggle. Your focus should not be on their unsatisfactory results but on how students can be guided to improve their existing performance.

Principle of Honor
§ Do what you believe is right.

§ Regardless of past and present circumstances, you should never compromise honesty, and integrity.

§ Establish yourself as a role model not by what you preach but by how you actually behave.

Principle of Application
§ Fortify theory with practice.

§ Regardless of your education or talent, a theory you have adopted does not become a skill unless you put it into practice.

§ Avoid memorization, and encourage students to use the grammar structures and vocabulary items they have learned to express their own feelings and experiences.

Principle of Change
§ Adapt to ever-changing circumstances.

§ Do not let old habits keep you from moving on, and taking your life to new dimensions.

§ Learning takes place as a result of change, which requires a long duration of time, effort, and patience. As a result of the change, you feel conscience of your capacities, which makes you feel relaxed and confident.

§ Do not lose sight of the fact that change takes time, requires patience, and demands the right chemistry.

§ Do not forget that all plants and trees go through a similar process of change on their journey from a mere seed to a full blossom.

§ Patience is almost always rewarded - just step back and let changes do their magic.

Principle of Respect
§ Respect others' views and opinions.

§ Take special care not to hinder the freedom of others for the sake of your desires of minor importance.

§ The most important type of respect is the one you have towards yourself and to what you own within your life - which brings with it true joy, and lasting happiness.

Principle of Integration
§ Fit the pieces together.

§ The principle of integration comprises all other principles mentioned so far. Integrate in order to achieve your goal that you've set on the principles of balance and justice by taking gradual but confident steps with great expectations regarding your success. During this process, honor yourself, respect those around you, and try to show empathy - knowing that change will take time ....