English teachers often strive to help students craft a voice when writing creative essays or interpreting literature. English teachers assist students in conducting close readings and analyzing prose so that students can make relevant connections between the material they are assigned and their own lives. An English teacher helps students understand their roles in society, art and history. English teachers also strive to teach students excellence in sentence formation, clarity, word usage and punctuation.
Most middle and high schools expect English teachers to craft lesson plans that adhere to the school's curriculum, preparing students for state-mandated standardized testing as well as high school exit and college entrance exams. English teachers are expected to familiarize students with a broad literary canon, from contemporary texts to classic works. English teachers are expected to provide students with the skills to analyze and produce quality work. For example, a well-taught English class may include a section on a play by Shakespeare, followed by a section on constructing convincing argumentative essays. English teachers are also expected to be able to negotiate with parents, discipline students, and recognize learning disabilities in students.
Specific personality traits are well-suited to the role of an English teacher. Instructing a class in this subject ideally requires a love of English, including writing and literature. Your passion for a book or a well-crafted sentence will translate to your students and motivate them to succeed in English. Patience is also an essential characteristic for English teachers, since you are likely to encounter rebellious students who do not obey class rules and do not turn in assignments. You may also encounter parents who are difficult to appease or with whose parenting methods you may not agree. A balance of patience, self-respect and perseverance are useful qualities for an English teacher to possess.
Many qualities that good English teachers possess can be learned. Experience will allow you to adjust your expectations and teaching style for maximum effectiveness. One adjustment that you may need to make is the willingness to accept change. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by cultural traits the younger generation displays that you do not understand or agree with. Instead, help students understand that they can access positive aspects of youth culture while valuing education and cultivating a desire to learn. As an English teacher, you may also need to work to improve your presentation skills. Time in the classroom will help you learn what keeps students' attention and what is ineffective. For example, you may need to speak with an elevated voice to maintain the attention of the class, and you may have to dismiss chalkboard lectures for power point presentations, depending on the way your students respond to each medium. Being able to change and adjust with the needs of each class will help you be a successful English teacher.