November 6, 2017
How to Gain Confidence in Teaching
The long-awaited moment has arrived. You enter the classroom, everyone’s eyes are on you, and suddenly, a bright spotlight tracks you around the room. You stand there, unable to move, your mouth as dry as a desert, articulating incomprehensible sounds that soon appear distant and distorted. You start feeling dizzy, and the colour of your face changes rapidly: at first, it is so red that it would be the envy of a ripe tomato, and then you are as white as a sheet. The only sound you can hear is your heart pounding in your chest.
This is not the opening scene of a horror movie, but it’s what many newly qualified teachers think will happen to them. Feeling anxious and nervous about teaching and leading a group of students is common and quite normal, especially if you are a newly qualified teacher. However, there are ways to manage stress and gain confidence in the classroom.
The secret? Time and practice. It might sound simplistic, but it’s true: the more you teach, the more yol build confidence. By spending time in the classroom, you will have fantastic days with lessons that run smoothly and days which will be more tiring and less successful.
It’s not possible to gain confidence with the snap of a finger. While waiting patiently to accumulate experience, you could try a few things to help avoid the fear of a nervous breakdown:
1. Be Prepared
Plan your lesson and be prepared. Dedicate some time to writing a clear lesson plan with aims and objectives and include various activities to engage your students. Include extra activities in case things go slightly differently than planned initially.
A confident teacher will arrive early and check the classroom and the resources you will need for your session. Understanding what you’re going to teach next will make you feel more confident in your teaching ability.
Don’t be afraid to use notes/prompt cards. Have you noticed that many great public speakers have notes in front of them?
2. Be Positive
To build teacher confidence, be positive and take small steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it can take a while for a new teacher to develop their confidence in the classroom.
Students will be able to tell if you lack confidence in the classroom. Smile, be friendly and approachable: your students won’t mind if you are a bit nervous. It’s certainly better than having a cold, heartless robot as a teacher!
Wear your lucky socks, jumper or a suitable garment that makes you feel comfortable. Comfortable clothes might work for you, give you confidence, and help you feel more relaxed.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Before a new lesson, teaching method or a job at a new institution, practice in front of a mirror or teach a small part of your lesson over dinner to your family or friends. You’ll be amazed at how confident you can appear in the classroom with some preparation time and practice.
Work on your tone of voice and posture. Try to breathe normally, and you will notice after a few attempts that if your body is relaxed, your mind will be too. Teachers who are scared or unsure tend to slouch or cower in the classroom. Walking tall will give you a strong sense of self-assurance, even if you lack confidence.
4. Classroom Management
Establish a good relationship with students from the very start of the lesson. If you have a good sense of humour, use it! It helps you and your learners break the ice and feel more comfortable.
Calmly and confidently demand the behaviour you expect in your classroom. Teachers can quickly become frustrated when they feel their lesson is not going how they want it to. As the lesson begins, build a rapport with the students. They will recognise your positive impact on the classroom dynamic.
5. Ask for Help and Feedback
The best way to improve teacher confidence in the classroom is to gain peer feedback, whether that is from new or experienced teachers.
New teachers can build confidence for their next lesson by gaining positive feedback from other teachers. This tried and tested method will improve your self-confidence in your teaching ability.
Constructive feedback is very helpful to new teachers, but this can also be scary. Be flexible and receptive to valuable feedback, and don’t take it personally. This will not only help your confidence in teaching but also help your students.
Confidence is not a single achievement but rather a long process. It’s not something that you gain instantly: you need to be patient and learn from success and mistakes. Don’t expect to find the ‘confidence’ potion in one of the aisles of your local supermarket. You will find the right ingredients to mix and create the perfect combination that works for you and only you.
Build Confidence in Teaching with Carlton Training
If you’re looking to enhance your confidence as a teacher, Carlton Training has the right tools for you. Our training and instructor courses are designed to build your skills and self-assurance in the classroom. Don’t wait any longer to take this important step in your teaching career. Contact us today and establish confidence and success in teaching.
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