My teaching is average. What can I do?

I had mixed reviews about my teaching. Some students said that they could not understand my accent. Well, I cannot do much about this. English is not my first language either, so I only do what I can.

Others said that I need to make my powerpoints more interesting. I have decided to add many more pictures on them.

Any similar experiences?

Urghhh why do PowerPoint's have to be 'interesting'. Gets on my nerves. You're there to teach not entertain! Do you have a mix of activities they can do as group or pair work to vary it from you stood reading from the front? Have a look at 'Prezi' instead of pp to jazz things up if that's what they want from you.

Oh Students...they seem to forget the whole point of attending class is to learn, not to be bedazzled by flashy powerpoint!

Regarding your accent/language, that will be a barrier for both you and your students. If English is their first language and not your own, communication will be difficult. I don't have any suggestions regarding what you can do to help this other than perhaps working on pronunciation/taking vocal lessons?

Regarding your teaching style, is this for seminars, tutorials or lectures? Is it possible for you to include relevant media or video clips to help illustrate your points? I use a mixed media format for my teaching, I lecture, but I also include engaging discussions, and have numerous video clips in each lecture to demonstrate my points. Some students are visual, some are audio. Some do better with just listening, others do well with points illustrated by visual media, and others through charts and graphs. Using a combination of mixed media. Depending on your topic, even movie clips can be relevant to help illustrate your points.

Hi marasp,

do you teach undergrads or postgrads?

What I would definitely recommend is to start with the structure of the lecture.

Today we will talk about 1, 2 and 3. I make a list and cross them off during the lecture, so I give them hope that this torture will end eventually.

Don't go into too much detail. Just mention the most important aspects, and give them references "If you think I am boring, wait until you read the 500 pages handbook! HA HA". Most of them are only interested in the exams rather than learn, so try to be clear about the "hot" topics.

Also, you might wake them up if you ask them to participate in groups, and do something.

You can't do change your accent into BBC -accent, just talk loud and clear. I don't understand half of the natives who mumble through their teeth.

Anyway, we are not supposed to be entertaining. Being structured, concise and clear is the best they can hope for.

They are undergraduates and I give lectures. Some students are in their late teens, or early twenties. Others are mature students. Well, I have been living in England since 2002. My accent has improved tremendously through the years, but it looks like some people still love complaining about it. I try to use as many pictures as possible on my powerpoint, but I teach a very intense course. I cannot use videos or audio because the classroom equipment does not support these media.

I would echo what others have said about giving them stuff to do in small groups if that's possible, although I realise it might not be suitable for your lectures.

I am doing some training at the moment in teaching skills, and one tip I am going to try is to set them a couple of questions right at the start of class, to get them wondering what it is about. The example I was shown was a geometry class about working out the height of objects, and the lecturer started by giving the students questions like, 'Have you ever wanted to be shorter/taller than you are? Why?'

At my university there is training available in making best use of your voice, with separate classes for people who have English as a first or second language. Maybe there is similar training where you are?

Of course, at the end of the day, people in their late teens/early 20s sometimes behave like groups of school kids and will complain about anything rather than participate properly. There is only so much you can do and if they learn something, you've done your job.

I had the second class yesterday and it went well! I had students coming to me and say how much they enjoyed my presentation at the end of the class, and anonymous feedback is very positive indeed. It looks like it requires some time for the teacher to get to know the 'personality' of the class and arrange the course accordingly. I think that I got there in the end. All I needed to do in order to spark their enthusiasm was to

a) add more interesting pictures on the powerpoint
b) give them the opportunity to express their views just before the break, and then again, at the end of the class.
c) speak slower and making an effort to improve my accent.

It is interesting, because I am learning through the process of teaching , and I love it!