The Australian Dictionary of Invisible Culture for Teachers
understanding a teacher’s general teaching style
norm: when it is like this, it is good to do some things (see more)
Many students can think like this:
I want to know what my teacher wants me to do, what my teacher wants me to say.
I can know it if I think about some things.
If my teacher wears some kinds of clothes (e.g. suit, formal clothes), I can know they are someone above me. If they are someone above me, I can say some things, I can’t say many things.
If my teacher does things in one way (e.g. stands at the front of the class the whole time), I can know they want me to do things in one way (e.g. sit at my desk, raise my hand to ask questions).
If my teacher does things in another way (e.g. sits on a table in the middle of the room), I can know they want me to do things in another way (e.g. be grouped around them, have spontaneous discussion).
If my teacher says things in one way (e.g. formal speech), I can know they want me to say things in the same way.
If my teacher says things in another way (e.g. informal, conversational speech), I can know they want me to say things in this other way.
Note
A good examples of this is how a teacher asks their students to address them—by first names, or as Mr Someone. This is a good opportunity to discuss with students their experiences and expectations of teachers.Back to Education