What is the use of a language teacher?

Especially in times of AI and apparently limitless free language learning resources, you may ask: What is the use of a language teacher?

Every language teacher or instructor has an individual self-image. Many see themselves as administrating textbooks and dishing out exercises. Or as explainers.

Personally, I view myself as a coach.

What are the implications?

In professional sports, no matter how good you are, you will always employ a personal or group coach.

A coach fulfills many vital functions:

-      Giving regular expert feedback on your performance,

-      Helping you overcome psychological blocks,

-      Pushing you constantly harder and out of your comfort zone.

This is how I view the role of language instruction.

However, for most language learners, especially beginners, the language teacher is more like a midwife. You employ the teacher to overcome initial difficulties, to pass a critical language test. Then you move on - on your own.

However, especially, if you have been using a foreign language at your job you may have realized the following:

-      You have reached a certain platou (or glass ceiling) in your language proficiency.

-      You need to transform your overall communication skills to reach better professional results.

If you decide to use language instruction as in a sports setting, you should – together with your “coach” – define clear and measurable job-related targets.

Just passing a final exam or completing lots of paperwork (aka text and workbooks) will no longer be a sufficient success indicator.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

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Gerhard Ohrband is a communication consultant, psychologist and author of 9 books from Hamburg/Germany. He speaks 11 languages fluently and assists individuals and companies in doing business in foreign languages.

 

 

 


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