Confidence in class?

I am originally from Bangladesh and qualified in the UK for Secondary schools as a science teacher. My English is quite good but have not got the original English accent. How can I establish myself in the classroom with confidence. any advice will be helpful.

Anonymous

15/9/2010

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There are some things you can do to create status and give you confidence when teaching your pupils. I would always urge every teacher to launch lessons by making the topic relevant to the lives of your pupils wherever possible. In order to promote the world wide nature of science and to establish your credibilty with your classes it is important that you provide examples of scientific research from your own country. You could do this through quizzes, photographs, posters, factsheets etc.

I think to some extent this is a matter of how you see yourself in the space. If you can see the room as your domain -- it's your space and you're sharing it with the students -- that helps a lot. Otherwise the territory becomes theirs and you are the outsider. This applies as well to new teachers in a school and to student teachers in a class. You must require respect of all people at all times and you are one of the people. If it comes to it, take the time to talk about what it feels like to be an outsider and how remarks, disrespect, and disregarding you because of your ethnicity or country of origin is hurtful. You can share this vulnerability -- you can even make up stories and ascribe them to your own childhood --to make your point more poignantly. On the other side, show them what a great teacher you so that when they leave you, your class is remembered as one of their best. Teach each kid the way he/she learns best.

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