Teaching English without Teaching English | Roberto Guzman | TEDxUPRM

In this talk Roberto discusses his three phase system which he uses to teach English without teaching English, to improve the learning experience for students and the teaching practice for professors.
Robert Guzman is a full professor at the University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla Campus. Guzman teaches undergraduate English courses in which he stresses the development of critical thinking skills and hands on language development skills. He’s also a freelance writer and political commentator on the WPRA 990 AM radio show Comunicando with host Toti Figueroa. So far Guzman has published, among other books The Devil’s Advocate Reader, Tropical Tales of Terror, Mitos y Conflictos en la Biblia and Heroes.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@eds1445]

He was my professor and I can reassure you that his class was the best english class I ever had.

[@leydianakarlinq2]

Hola, puedes compartirnos tu experiencia en la sesión de aprendizaje? - el inicio, el desarrollo y el cierre? - lo que recuerdes... gracias!

[@xuanphamduyen1773]

Edwin Soto nice to know you. I am really happy to hear your nice words about your teacher.

[@eds1445]

Karlin Ana​ Claro que si. El inicio de su clase es dedicado a las falacias lógicas, algo llamado los "FiLCHeRS" (que son un método deobservar lo que reclama un escrito), y cómo estas pueden ser vistas en alguna publicación ( cabe notar que esto es crucial para el contexto de un escrito). Uno de sus cursos principales es "Technical Writing" así que tiene mucho sentido que el siguente paso sean los tipos de ensayos técnicos y sus partes. Lo siguiente es la aplicación de estos a traves de ensayos, casos,etc.

[@leydianakarlinq2]

gracias!! aprecio que hayas respondido.

[@pauloeustaquiodeandrade2994]

An American state that can't speak english! Weird, isn't it? I bet Puerto Ricans envy the Filipinos!

[@lixibao]

"You cannot fake content. You cannot fake passion."

[@estherpocock9312]

This is exactly how I teach English, for the same reasons - I want my students to be able to use and enjoy the language, not just pass an exam! Roberto explains it so well, and his passion shines through. Love it. :-)

[@belalfayyad7335]

he has great experience. .very useful talk

[@lovemaghnani6670]

Can you explain it what he did talk about content and form? That see what the content first is not the form

[@johnnybarrera9612]

How to teach like this when all my students book are just full of Grammer and it's the same for me. They know they're Grammer but struggle in speaking English

[@joshuamanuel829]

I always wanted to have a professor who would help us as English major unleash the language within us.

[@hananeouldbabaali7679]

how about begginers?

[@milinysha]

As a newbie teacher I sometimes feel really anxious about teaching my students the correct form that I neglect what they want to express. This was really eye-opening, thank you so much.

[@searchmeinyoutube]

"We never use textbooks". Such soothing words.

[@joesdi]

"Specificity entails responsibility. " Super on point.

[@anastockli9173]

all teachers should use content-based teaching methods. great point

[@WMDistraction]

I think the most effective part of this method is the fact that it's meaning-making. Meaning-making has been shown to be a highly effective method of motivating students to learn a language, and he seems to be utilizing that aspect of language learning very effectively.

[@vireshhiremath7360]

Kannada's itihasa

[@lifeismeaningful6561]

content based emerged with communication ..

[@bananasmatter1321]

This is harder with students who know nothing of the language and are just starting out, but it is still doable.

[@mehmet_albayrak_offa]

@@lifeismeaningful6561 then communication is supported by content especially real or real-like materials which aren't actually created for teaching a language such as videos, news article taken from a newspaper

[@ItchyKneeSon]

Japan needs this. Hard. I've been an English 'teacher' here for a number of years. But the traditional methods always leave the students (and me) scratching their heads. I've executed a number of the points mentioned in the talk, but never really put them all together. Maybe I should learn how to cook.

[@robertguzman337]

Hang in there friend. It takes time to change deep seated ideas and narratives. The proof however is in the pudding. Our students are in the end our best judges. They know what works and all we have to do is listen.

[@p8345]

It's all over not just in Asia

[@Sean.Q]

Would never work in Japan. Their minds don't work like that. They have zero imagination. They can't think in abstract or creative ways at all..

[@mauia88]

@@Sean.Q You've clearly never watched anime.

[@beverlyxox5896]

Sean Quick explain to me manga and anime then???

[@omarkaya42]

"Specificity entails responsibility."

[@ra-gv2si]

"Fear people who fear questions" this should apply to all things in the dimension.

[@ismailbenabdallah3345]

When the teacher does his job with love... this is creativity

[@OinkyYoink]

Such a humble title. This man's biggest flex is how he get the students to be interested enough to work with each other to actually learn something. And learning is a painful process that's why not many gets much enthusiasm towards it. Such a wonderful human being 🥺.

[@anna-laurahocker5570]

This is information that soooooo many people need to hear right now. It doesn't matter whether they're English Language Learners or not. We are all lifelong learners. This teacher does a great job of explaining how to speak in public even when expressing differing ideas. He's amazing!

[@ShabanRashed]

This is one of the most inspiring talks I've ever watched. Thanks a million professor Guzman for sharing your experience on here.. hats off!

[@dadaoluwatoyin424]

Wow!!..............

[@robertguzman337]

Thank you Shaban for your kind words...

[@vince6264]

@@robertguzman337 Thanks for this professor!

[@maryperigoe9625]

Hi Roberto, I am a qualified English teacher in the UK. I stopped teaching in mainstream immediately after completing my training, not as a result of bad behaviour, not as a result of hours of preparation and marking before and after school, on holidays, on the weekends, Not because the school I worked in was mismanaged or because the teachers were apathetic. (I loved and still loved my training school!) I stopped teaching in main stream education because our government decided that grammar, above all else, (particularly learning grammar terms and identifying them) was, above all, THE most important part of the English curriculum. It was depressing and upsetting to watch students who were, had been, and had the potential to be, incredible thinkers, debaters, philosophers, writers, and so on, become apathetic, bored, and disinterested in my lessons. I empathised - because I was too. I had a teacher during secondary school who behaved and taught in ways that you do - she taught us correct use of grammar, syntax, sentence style, form etc. through newspaper articles and interesting novels, poetry and plays. I did not know that I was learning grammar and all of the skills required for the language paper until, a month before the exam, I rushed to her office in a panic, telling her WE DID NOT PRACTISE anything for any of the language papers. I had interrupted her as she was writing an important paper. Instead of shouting at me, or berating me, she calmly raised one eyebrow and said 'didn't we?' We looked through a few past papers and the mark scheme and I realised that I had been learning language while learning literature, in much the same way as you are teaching expression and voice and confidence, while quietly teaching all of the 'language' parts in the background. I would love to say that I could be that teacher, I wanted so desperately to be that teacher, I believe that I am to the number of students I currently teach. I hope that the next government senses the mistakes of today and reverts back to understanding that great writing, speaking, and thinking are so much more important than knowing the difference between a noun and a pronoun. That will come, and if it does not for some, who cares!

[@ramicastell7703]

... so darn interesting

[@Jcodeabstruse]

What country are you in?

[@Creolio]

I am teaching English, currently, and think that it's a great point to let students make mistakes, but it's so different from the modern, standard educational system. You're right. Content is far more important than form. Being able to communicate--even grammatically incorrectly--is the motivation needed to continue to copy those who speak more "correctly." But even then, language is always changing, and English hasn't always been English. There are no hard and fast rules except those we agree to.

[@plerpplerp5599]

CreolioLife ...sooo true

[@mollymai3949]

The problem is that most students in Europe have to obtain a B1 o B2 certificate in order to be accepted on further education courses. Cambridge is responsible for these exams and they expect students to produce very specific, rigid, grammatical forms and phrases, and do ridiculous tricks with the grammar to get the certificate. If you want to work in the English teaching game you generally have to bow to their rules and use their stupid, boring, overpriced books. I think they make their materials boring on a purpose so that it takes students longer to learn and consequentially, their profit margin is greatly increased. As you can see I've been trapped working in this job for a while and all I can say is, "lucky you" to people who have the freedom to teach in this way as the majority of students taught in Europe have to pass through the official Cambridge exam system :(

[@robertguzman337]

englishtearose challenging the fossilized institutions that are not open to change is part of the problem.

[@littlestbroccoli]

englishtearose So, this is helping it spread, right? What exactly is your point bc I'm smelling some bs.

[@skypeenglishexpress]

I think it is good when my ESL students make mistakes; is shows that they are trying and therefore learning. Of course, we need to correct the mistakes. Often in Asia students are afraid to try in fear of making mistakes in front of their collleagues and losing face. Thus I reiterate that they are making face by trying - often more than the students not losing face - and therefore not trying - and learning, more or less that is ;)

[@alejolopera]

This is gold .... thanks so much for inspire all of us.

[@leiberjesusposliguadelacru1616]

You're a Great Professor

[@alisonbowles608]

Yes it is

[@wintax3329]

Profesor :D cool

[@edissonalmontereyes7693]

Oooh Teacher Alejo is right here😂

[@esoteric_renzoflames7573]

You can’t consent for all

[@jackievalle1]

OMG!!! I was your student too!! I loved your class. Even though I already knew how to speak and write English, I loved being in your class because I learned how to improve reading and writing skills. I still remember that I was going to travel to NY to visit my fiancée at that time, and you kept recommending me to go see the Play: The Capeman. Ironically, I am currently a Spanish teacher at a Middle school in New Jersey. I moved to NJ shortly after I graduated in 2002 and I've been here since. It is such a great pleasure being able to listen to your voice again and being able to see this video because you still show the same passion towards teaching that you had back then when I was your student. You are a true inspiration to me!!! I wish that I show the same passion towards teaching in the future. I would like to teach Spanish without Teaching Spanish -Jackie Valle (López-Acevedo)

[@robertguzman337]

Jackeline Valle nice to hear from you and know you're doing well. If you ever come to PR look me up.

[@bananasmatter1321]

@@robertguzman337 this is so wholesome ;.;

[@davidprince97]

Well I am an English teacher too and found this man greatly inspirational as a teacher. Do not feel you learning a language rather you are living the language 😊

[@elena-danielasandu3375]

This TedTalk is brilliant! I’m an English Language&Literature graduate and I can say that I would have loved this kind of professor! His approach to language is amazing. He also uses some Psychology concepts and strategies and apply them to teaching English. I admire him and his passion for English language. ♥️ Thank you for sharing your knowledge! 🙏

[@omarmouffok131]

It's OK to make mistakes. The mistakes I make as an advanced speaker have nothing to do with those I made when I was a beginner or an intermediate learner. Besides, I now intuitively know that something is not right with some sentence, even if I can't detect the mistake immediately. Sometimes, I even correct mistakes to native speakers, teachers, and advanced speakers like me. I find this quite impressive and this has encouraged me further to continue practising my English. Thanks for the talk.

[@lenkavisnich4228]

Thanks for your experience.I study English two years.But my level improve too slowly.I've make a lot of mistakes .I don't like study grammar,but I like listening music in English and I like reading books in English,also I like watching interesting films in English.End the and thats all give me the power to continue to learn English.But my speaking conversation doesn't not develop.

[@Worri]

practicing*

[@treebunnycat]

@@lenkavisnich4228 slow progress is progress. Also, you need to practice speaking to improve. Have someone discuss something with you, like a news article.

[@NugihanDeniz]

​@@lenkavisnich4228 If you don't mind me asking, what kind of books did you read to improve your English?

[@lenkavisnich4228]

@@NugihanDeniz I like reading fairy tale for children.I believe it is the best way for learning .If you want,we can speak each other for improving our skills.

[@MakeSenseToYourLife]

"Ask questions, always questions" I found my best students are always the ones who ask many questions, as well as the ones being very confident in their learning, not being afraid of mistakes and always keep on going. I am on my way to change the way I teach French here in Taiwan. I am also pretty frustrated of the traditional way. From what I observed when I learnt language myself, and also in my students or polyglots, the traditional method is not efficient. Students should "dive into the language" and the teacher is there to guide them and give them the keys to understand how other people communicate....not the grammar. Thank you very much for your talk!! Muchas Gracias!

[@yashwantpawar2407]

Marion Batard I thought I have written me any question. baychance mistakes then what can I do. I am indian men be you talk Indians is not good. but mail problem I understand some word English now a days talk to speaking very impossible. thank you for your teaching sentence.

[@robertguzman337]

Wonderful insight Marion. Thank you for sharing your experiences as an educator. We are all in a very real sense students even if we happen to be teachers.

[@vChilem]

I remember my french teacher (a non native speaker) the first lessons he gave us was how to pronounce the french words(by the way in spanish is similar, you learn a few rules and you can pronounce decently most of the spanish language), we used to study with books without dialogs just the characters in given situations. The other common tool he employed a lot was repetition: "Répétéz avec moi" and with our participation from day one we had to open up our mouths and say the sentences aloud(when you heard "et vous monsieur" it was your turn to repeat. I must say we learned a lot of grammar without knowing it and without the formal study of grammar. At the same time we had english with native speakers with traditional methods. I was able to have a talk with french speakers at a basic level and my english skills were far, far from that. Je pense que l'apprentissage d'une lange étrangère c'est une aventure où nous sommes hereux d'être invités, à bientôt

[@shareyazkhan4845]

Marion Batard , hello hello how are you

[@jwavive5983]

This is one of the best TED talks I have viewed. Mathematics is a language too. Mathematics should be taught this way.

[@loreanalankister3756]

How would mathematics be taught in this way? In English there are newspapers and articles so what would be the equivalent for math? Genuinely curious because I teach math as well

[@jwavive5983]

@@loreanalankister3756 Mathematics is fundamentally about patterns, describing and predicting them. Puzzles are an equivalent to newspaper articles for example. Exercising the ability to see patterns. The puzzles can be in any medium. Word, picture, sound, etc.. Games are another example. Recognizing patterns and developing strategies. Prediction.

[@leticiavetra4894]

This is one of the best presentations I've ever seen in TEDx

[@amaliagonzalez4892]

I have been teaching English for four months now and this was definitely an enlightening talk. I have been trying to get the students out of their shells, to talk more, to have conversations with them. I often take TED Ed videos to the classes for them to have a little debate, but it's very hard to get them to come out, but when it finally happens, it reminds me of why I love my job, and why I shouldn't give up on my students, because they and I know they can.

[@aiyshwariyadonald988]

Omg ...u r flowing like a river Kindly throw light on teaching English for primary school students pl

[@georgesalgado8783]

This has inspired me to open my own English academy in my country. Thanks for the push I sorely needed.

[@Alchemymelany]

love him!! I learned english by not learning English, to find that this is an actual technique used by this professor was so cool! this was so eye-opening for me

[@lifeismeaningful6561]

I teach English with communicative method..İt works.

[@neoshenlong]

Damn, Roberto, I've actually been teaching like you for the last year. I think it's because I was never educated as an english teacher, my education was in literature. So I wanted to aim my english classes towards that sort of literature education rather than grammar. This was basically my instinct from my first month as a high school teacher and I thought I was doing something wrong because I was not teaching grammar or using textbooks, and also because well, I didn't have teaching education and this is my first year on the job. Listening to this talk by an experienced teacher who reached the same conclussions as me reassures me on the path I want to continue as a teacher.

[@martasuarez1568]

Teaching grammar is important too. Roberto explains that his students already knew a lot of grammar.

[@ZLLi661]

One way to motivate is talking about what is their passion/ interest and learning to talk about it in English. Ask questions - that is what learning is about.

[@joysauce4109]

I do this as a tutor, and yes, they seem to enjoy the class more 👍

[@RomanHernandezPERSONALprofile]

Probably the Best Ever presentation I ever seen on How to Teach... anything, to anyone. It really make me to whish having Roberto Guzman as my teacher.

[@fonzichrist]

I am a language teacher and I totally agree with Roberto. In my class, I emphasize that linguistic competence is secondary to communicative competence.

[@Vaidoteful]

It depends highly on the purpose of language learning. If the purpose is academic, the form and linguistic competence are very important. If your students only want to use English for travelling purpose... fine, you may focus mainly on the oral communication.

[@trollingisasport]

This guy fucks.

[@justinehayward2553]

I agree. It is and should be secondary, competence and skills will follow led by confidence.

[@lostandfound1642]

I so agree. I do not teach grammar because I find it an unnatural way to learn another language. For me, INTUITION is the key word. Just as babies use intuition to figure out what their parents are saying, I encourage my students to develop this essential skill: intuition. No translation, no grammar rules to remember. Learn from pictures, movements, sounds, acquire a language. Never "study" it. and I welcome mistakes as a natural part of the learning process. Through mistakes, we learn.

[@NurkaNur-qk1eb]

im new in teaching turkish and the grammer part is really being a bit boring, besides it we listen turkish short audio, read texts and translate unnknown words. But id like to improve my teaching, to make my lessons more funny. What sourse i can use for having this kind of knowledge. İ'd be really glad if u share😊

[@oscarpicon7164]

As a 4th grade teacher, I took his approach (without knowing of Roberto Guzmán or having watched this video) 3 years ago with a student from México. It works. Immersion into the language with cooperative learning, casual conversation and inclusion into the school’s culture.

[@janejuliet]

I look forward to one day traveling the world and using my skills to build bridges between myself and people of all languages. This video was really encouraging.

[@PaxCool8]

This man is a freaking genius... Wish I could take this class

[@PaxCool8]

His*

[@LiquidSpartan117]

Ili Rueda where are you from?

[@nieveshervas3340]

One of the best ted talks I've seen, very inspiring and as a teacher of English myself, (starting today!!) I'll definitely use your method, I couldn't agree more! Thank you Roberto Guzman.

[@Ryan-qz6np]

One of the best college professors I've ever had

[@jlmorales3653]

Awesome job brother. I'm a PR from NY teaching Eng. in Poland. Everything you said is spot-on!

[@happyrussian9808]

Unbelievable!!! What this man is doing is a miracle!

[@Melissa-qr1yr]

I feel as though I'm listening to myself. I'm so happy this exists and that there are teachers out there with whom I can agree with completely. Keep up this excellent work!

[@liveincabo]

Professor Roberto Guzman, I've watched your talk repeatedly and the more I do it, the more interesting I find it. You seem to be the kind of teacher who has devoted a lot of time to thinking and trying to figure out how to teach better. You remind me of the teacher I will become in some years. Thank you professor.

[@carolinaparedes2565]

Mr Guzman! No sé si me lea algún día, pero le comento. Soy maestra de inglés, acabo de empezar mi carrera, tengo solo 23 años. A veces me sentía igual que como usted lo describe, "incómoda" por el hecho de que algunos alumnos no quieren participar. Pero usted me ha dado herramientas valiosas en su TED Talk para aplicar como maestra. Muchísimas gracias! Le agradezco mucho. Espero no solo mejorar yo cómo maestra, sino que mis alumnos mejoren en el hábito de preguntar y cuestionar. Gracias!

[@Ferxo21]

No te preocupes, sé que puedes encontrar o sé que pudiste encontrar una buena forma de dar tus clases de ingles; sé que este comentario es de hace 4 años, pero yo como estudiante de ingles, me doy cuenta lo difícil que tiene que ser dar clases de ingles

[@cherylhernandez4813]

I felt inspired just listening to him. His passion for language and learning for his approach. My favorite is sticking to the content instead of insulting. People get so side tracked at times and start making it personal. I don't know why it has to get to that point and can't just stay on the topic at hand. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him speak.

[@mz6367]

I have been learning English for more than one year and when I started I made many mistakes and until now I do make mistakes but the mistakes are not the same I used to make mistakes about the easiest grammar now I use them correctly and that`s the most important thing ! my English is increasing day by day

[@mahdi-ekn5141]

The question is, which method is correct?

[@chakishajohnson6921]

Excelente!!! Ahora mismo, as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I am learning Spanish in a foreign country and gearing up to teach English for the first time in my life. This talk is a true inspirationl. Muchas gracias!

[@tycobrahe7663]

9:31 “Ideas are not people. Ideas don’t have rights.” Perfect formulation!

[@LaPlaga88]

I don’t know if you still watch this but this is Randy , Sir Robert you are the best English prof I’ve ever known.

[@pathrst]

Roberto, you have changed the way I run my own Ela class room

[@janejuliet]

Roberto Guzman, I absolutely love your talks and your intelligent, tender spirit. I am going to be starting school in the Spring, and I aim to get a degree in ESL. You inspire me to no end.

[@robertguzman337]

janejuliet .. Hi there. I want to thank you for your very kind words. Teaching is an adventure not really a job.

[@janejuliet]

Thank you for your response, Mr. Guzman. I love adventure, and I think that is what draws me to teaching. I love history, culture, connection to others... I have watched "Are You Sure About That?" many times and posted it on my Facebook account multiple times because it embodies all of those things. Is there a way I can contact you personally?

[@robertguzman337]

+janejuliet you can write to me at my regular address [e-mail]. Have a great Sunday Jane.

[@eliadeida6751]

Robert Guzman I am from PR (Camuy) and I have a home in Rayme Base but I live now in El Paso Tx. about 10 years. I don't speek English with fluency. I went to took ESL for adult. I have 5 moths taking that class but the sistem isn't better, is focous only in grammar. Personally, I try to deeping (immerses) in the language, using all in my environment but still need more. Like speek and speek with other, for me that's the most hard part..

[@robertguzman337]

+Elia Deida thank you writing. Communication must be meaningful to the language learner. Identify areas in which you are interested in. Explore them for the sake of their content not their form. As you do this more and more you will acquire vocabulary, grammar and content. Find others that share your same interests and are equally motivated. Learning will be inevitable. Explore Sugata Mitra's wonderful research in this are. His talks are at TED and KZbin. Tell me what you think.

[@clarafrontela8063]

He shines while speaks. Fascinating speech, man.

[@jintzie1950jth]

Wonderful talk! I wish so very nuch that he were my teacher. His priorities are correct, and not even touched on in many classrooms, even with kind and helpful teachers, because these skills aren't even on school districts' radar. Let us all together go to school board meetings and advocate (in a collegial spirit) for the fostering of these skills.

[@StoryPaul]

This is the best way to teach! Thank you, Roberto, for opening doors for teachers, too! Muchas gracias!

[@Szchandler]

Roberto, eres un genio man!!! me has inspirado!!

[@09polyak]

You are absolutely right! Thank You for this speech!

[@sinovac92]

This is one of the best ted talks that I've seen. Gracias sr. Roberto

[@bann8708]

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SOUL!!!

[@Kronolord]

Proud of Roberto, one of my favorite professors!

[@ssecond_to_none]

The best approach to teaching the language!

[@stefaniabadila8765]

there is no way you can’t love this man.. amazing❤️

[@Deicy55]

This is what we need in every language school! Thank you so much professor, I love your teaching style. I'd love to be your student!

[@rehannadsamara7342]

Inspiring! I always tell my students same thing:" l just give you the keys that open the world for you"..they go and open them and it won't be my job any more..Great speech!

[@kamalmemdali1774]

Remarkable 'teacher' in the true sense of the word. My hat off to you sir!

[@vince6264]

I'm so glad I found this! I'm a language teacher and I don't know what to do to my students. I'll apply this system and see the magic!

[@irenakolbuszewska9556]

Had I seen it right away, it would have been a great birthday gift :) Roberto Guzman, thank you for this talk, I wish you had been my ESL teacher back in the 90s. Right now, I teach English too and I'm really thankful for this inspiration.

[@lifeismeaningful6561]

Irina, all English teachers should share their experiences and create a new method to make English teaching perfect.

[@littlestbroccoli]

Definitely one of the best TEDx talks I've seen, thank you for sharing your ideas. As I prepare to teach overseas this gives me extra motivation and a semblance of confidence :)

[@RassTheCyberCat]

after watching this video i feel like he's my professor now. i wish him the best

[@sofiapena7122]

Just 1 minutes and I can say that I already love this man, 🤍🌎

[@eurosanevieira]

After watching this video I realized I'm going in the right direction. I wish every educator thought this way, we would have so many English speakers around the world! Thank you for that!

[@giullianesoares]

Great, great talk!!! Such precious lessons from this thinking professor.

[@tsouzou1117]

I have never watched this inspiring and touching talk before. Thanks a lot for your sharing, I must try to memorize them all

[@Sigalhodbh]

A great teacher! Thank you for teaching people not just English, but to think and ask!!

[@ssppeellll]

I could hardly agree more with Professor Guzman. We need more teachers--and more people--like him in the world! One thing: I think he misunderstands the term "cognitive dissonance." It refers to something different from what he was talking about. Specifically, it refers to holding two mutually contradicting ideas or beliefs in one's mind. But that's a very minor thing. Besides, like he said, it's OK to make mistakes!

[@ms.lavernrobinson9420]

This makes me cry~ :) Thank you, professor.

[@madleypimentel90]

One of my favorite talks ever!!!

[@waytoprogramming]

I really loved listening to this talk. It's crucial to establish classroom rules, emphasizing the separation between ideas and individuals. Preventing the potential harm caused by unchecked bad ideas is a thought-provoking concept.

[@zakopiec]

Roberto your: again, again, again is lovely. And: "I want my students to learn how to cook not to learn how to read a book."

[@Nadine1955]

What a great talk--so holistic even though it's supposed to be about learning English, it covers a lot of education!

[@EnglishBMTCity]

Underrated speech! He appears to be a very passionate teacher.

[@nashemanlightwala2082]

Sir, I stumbled upon this video and loved every word you spoke. Thank you for such a brilliant explanation.

[@Anarcath]

I’’ve been a teacher for more than 20 years, have worked in many parts of the world. And while I agree that content is fundamental, he doesn’t tell us how he would teach different levels, different nationalities and age groups. Clearly one can’t expect the same output from a beginner as one would from a more advanced student. And there are great many other questions that need to be answered, but I won’t go into them now. Ironically he didn’t ask these questions and wasn’t specific enough as to the exact step by step process that would take place in the classroom. Furthermore, if a teacher is working with students who have paid for the course and demand to be taught grammar more than anything else, the teacher has a problem. The client is always right and I can’t go against the school, which is a business more than an educational institution, that has a specific curriculum as to how English should be taught. I’ve had many complaints that I don’t teach enough grammar. At the end of the day, I have to keep my job. It’s sad but true.

[@peterbutter2054]

I agree with his opinions, but I also understand your situation. In his case, he mentioned his students didn't have problems with English exams, but they have problem taking in English. Thus, he found a solution- teaching english without teaching English. Now, in your case, your students' learning goal is grammar, which is good for exams. But why do you say " I’ve had many complaints that I don’t teach enough grammar"?

[@rumudinc3057]

It is so hard to teach in an environment where you're reminded that you are paid for a service and you have to give what they exactly ask of you. Teachers are degraded when they're asked to fulfill all the expectations of the school, parents and students. They should only be concerned with the quality of education.

[@pipvila]

What you are saying in the first paragraph wasn't the topic of the presentation. Thet opic was about teaching language through content. For the second paragraph, I agree that teachers are not left with the ideal context for teaching so there has to be an agreement between student - teacher - organization of the teaching process. If a student comes and says he wants to only learn grammar (form), then the teacher must establish that hemust learn the language, and that grammar is just a part of it. I agree that form must go after content in this case, and that the student has to understand this sequence in order to get expectations right. The customer is always right is a really old term that, while it applies to some cases, is a simplification. The customer knows he has a problem that needs solution(s), and is the job of the tutor to recognize the problem and come up with a solution. Sometimes the customer thinks they have the answer to their question, but it's usually not the case.

[@lifeismeaningful6561]

I do agree.English teachers must create their own style or adapt it to students.

[@MarinoBaccarini]

Wow, this guy is so inspiring I feel like I'd like to go back to teaching! Passionate teachers are the cornerstone of a country that wants its citizens to evolve as human beings, learn critical thinking and not just become taxpayers.

[@Thumpermad]

absolutely brilliant I am blessed to share with this man . thank you 😃

[@johneBGood]

OMGosh!!!!! Someone who understands the way I teach and why I teach the way that I do. Build them up, entice them to ask questions, allow them to say what is on their minds and permit them to open doors at their speed. Grammar is not the be-all-end-all, content is what matters, the grammar will come, or use a grammar checker. But if you have great grammar and it is blocking your ideas then you have nothing. Teach them to listen and understand, speak slowly so that they can grasp what you are saying, allow them to speak and write and not to harp on errors but to build them up for their ideas. Be their champion, lots of well dones, bien hecho, encourage, encourage and never ever attack them as a person. Awesome video, thank you for your presentation and your understanding. We need to change how we teach. Doctor, quickly, come we are losing our patient. Relax nurse, give him an injection of 3.5 cc's of the Verb to be! He will be fine. Doctor, it is not working! Nurse, quickly an injection of 10 cc's of prepositions! It is too late Doctor, we have lost him. This is crazy Nurse, we have lost too many patients to this curse, what will bring an end to this death of English? STOP TEACHING GRAMMAR!

[@joealabarces4589]

Excellent...I love the way he thinks. Mandatory viewing for all educators, tutors and instructors.

[@F4M05D4V35]

One of my favorite TED Talks

[@walkingwithlaura228]

What a beautiful message! Thank you professor!

[@nadinabuzaid9908]

This is only done by passionate teachers who do their job with love, just like you, professor! Thank you!!

[@workbenchish]

Amazing! Richly resonant with my experience and conviction too. Thank you for sharing

[@Zuaachen]

He reminds me of my high school Spanish teacher. She introduced us the history, arts, culture and philosophy.

[@mohammedali-bw1yw]

The true key for learning English language is to be motivated in order to achieve your goal.

[@davidsaraza8298]

Se nota que es el mejor profesor de ingles del mundo... Con la facilidad que habla y lo bien que habla.

[@instructorSergiy]

Great speech! So much valuable advice in a short video.

[@yomnaseddiq7845]

Perfect. I'm glad I watched this video as I am an English teacher as well. Thank you.

[@mfaroukenglish]

I have been English teacher for years, but you have just opened a new door for me. I hope to have the courage to get inside and explore this wonderful world

[@leeb7622]

Excellent! Bravo! As Einstein famously said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” This educator gets that!

[@Jessica-yg1ej]

My English teacher makes me so frustrated. I'm a Portuguese speaker and learned English by myself (it's a work in progress). At school we have English classes, but you don't really learn English. It's 12 freaking years of school, and when you graduate you still can't speak English. So I asked my teacher why our English classes don't teach us at all, and why we learn grammar and conjugation instead of real English (like listening and speaking), and she said "I teach what you'll need to know to do the Enem exam" (it's the exam we make to go to college). Guess what, If you really speak the language, understanding the exam is simple, and the text are really complex, I'm pretty sure the English we learn isn't really helpful. What's the point of having classes, if you have to pay for a course if you really want to learn?Even because nowadays you can't get a good job if you don't speak English. But she was already so mad at me (bc I always point out these things), that I didn't keep the discussion.

[@Vaidoteful]

You made a great point - once you came to understand that you are in charge of your own learning (NOT THE TEACHER!) then you learned... those who expect teachers to teach them.... never learn. Teachers are only guides through your process of learning. The real job is done by the student. Attitude is the key .

[@felipe.1004]

Here in Brazil we really have a problem with public educational system. Classroom have 30/40 students stead of 20/30.. The funniest point is that they use english book which is made for people who already speak english .-. I learnt more out of the school than inside =( its sad

[@MrShou-nw7yv]

we need to know that there are many differenes between learning language as your first language and second or foreign language. we need to know how the language counstructed, which is grammar or syntax, otherwise how can you organizae your words into a complete sentence. I am sure that your teacher definately taught you real English as same as traditional teaching menthod used by many teachers in this world. exam isn't a bad thing depends on how you look at it since there is no easy task for learning a new thing,right?

[@raggmopp857]

@@MrShou-nw7yv I agree. If s/he went through 12 years of school and did not learn English, then there is more going on there than the teaching method. It sounds like those were English classes for native speakers. If students are native speakers, focusing on form is good thing. They already know how to speak, they need to be taught how to speak and write clearly;. It's all about communication.

[@marianapoggian1765]

Hahaha you can only have a clear idea of English classes in Brazilian regular schools IF you take these classes. Teachers are allowed to graduate in English Language and Literature without being fluent in the language. English classes at school are just the overview of the language. The books we use at school don't cover all the skills one needs to know in order to really know the language. I, as an English teacher myself, do my best to prepare my students to real life, but the educational system and the methodology used here to teach languages at regular schools, they really need to be improved. 12 years and the only thing teachers work on is the verb /to be/.

[@vegafit1095]

Loved the dish and proofread book metaphors, so true! This is a great method, everybody should take inspiration from teaching this way, it's way more effective :)

[@JoaoRochaIngles]

Thank you for the lecture! Although this video is from 6 years ago, the content is timeless!

[@narayanofficial9183]

best teacher I ever seen....thank you professor for inspiring me to live my life better....