How do you define 'teacher'?
 

Hi everybody, what exactly is a 'teacher'? I mean can you really teach a language or do you have to learn a language? What is the difference or rather the link between teaching and learning? What is the difference between a teacher, a trainer and a coach?
As far as I can see it, if you have experiences, knowledge and passion in learning a language and guiding people, you can share this expertise and get other people to do something. This process might be called 'teaching' but it could also be called 'transfering experience/guiding/monitoring' etc. I have been working with adults for 8 years and I'm not so happy with referring to them as 'my students' and me being their 'teacher' because most of them have more life (and learning) experience than me.
Anyway, what are your thoughts on this?
Regards
Torsten

Re: How do you define 'teacher'?
 

Well, I feel a teacher is someone who enables a student to learn, gives him the tools, the explanations, creates the learning circumstances. But this is not all. An ideal teacher knows how to talk to students and give them confidence when they lack it, encouragement when they need it, praise when they succeed. A teacher should also model polite behaviour, acceptable ways of resolving conflict. inspire students to reach for the stars. A good teacher notices the strong points of each student's personality and enables that student to get to know himself and appreciate himself. A good teacher should enable students to become happier persons who live in harmony with themselves and those around them. The good teacher and his/ her students share bonds of love.

Re: How do you define 'teacher'?
 

And there you have it. All of what Manuela said and ..

I believe that my job is also to guide learning. Sort of a teach a man to fish type deal, but also it's good to show him where the other lakes, rivers and streams are.

Re: How do you define 'teacher'?
 

Not only to guide learning but to take part in learning themselves. Teachers have to be up to date with the newest ideas and info for their students. How do I improve the lesson? If I do this would it be better? And so on. Also a teacher who thinks that they know it all is not a good teacher :)

We are always learning.