9 Signs You Are a Bad TEFL Teacher

What makes us successful as teachers is our commitment to improvement. No teacher is perfect because teaching is a constantly evolving profession. 

One most important thing that will make or break your career as a teacher is your commitment to learn, improve and grow. 

I met a lot of teachers who lost their jobs or got flagged as “bad teachers,” and I thought I would share some of the characteristics they share. 

1 Bad teachers’ classroom management sucks

If you can’t control your class and inspire students to pay attention, you will not be able to teach effectively. And more importantly, a lack of class management will make your classes overwhelming.

One of the essential characteristics of good teachers is effective classroom management.   

From day one, if you are a new teacher, make your class rules clear and follow through when a student breaks these rules. 

In addition, I suggest you always over-prepare your lessons because it will make you confident and help you answer your students’ questions. An unprepared and disorganized teacher loses credibility with their students quickly. 

2 Bad teachers constantly complain about their students, colleagues, school admin

A teacher who constantly complains about others is a teacher that doesn’t take responsibility for their actions.

A good teacher should focus on their students and find ways to engage and help them. You should prioritize lesson planning and meet with parents as a good teacher.

Symptoms of bad teaching generally include unapproachability, aggression, and a lack of effort.

3 Bad teachers focus on doing the bare minimum

Some teachers appear excellent when you look at their students’ grades. But, sometimes, these types of teachers do only the bare minimum to challenge their students because they are afraid of their students’ poor performance. 

Good teachers should strive to challenge themselves and their students. It means trying new teaching methods, and encouraging your students to participate in local and international competitions. 

For example, this year, I got my students to participate in the Math Kangaroo competition. 

4 Bad teachers disrespect or publicly humiliate their students

Another characteristic of bad teachers is their tendency to shame their students publicly or in private. 

They constantly make their students feel that they are not good enough by humiliating them. Consciously or subconsciously, they might also encourage or even allow other students to make fun of certain students.

As teachers, we should focus on making our classes safe spaces for all students to try, fail and try again. It includes allowing students to make mistakes and learning from their mistakes. More importantly, not allowing other students to bully others by laughing at their questions. 

5 Bad teachers don’t try to do better

A good teacher teaches their students, but they also learn from them. They try to get to know their students individually and discover what teaching methods work well and what doesn’t and their strengths and weaknesses.

And when they find out ways that don’t work or their weaknesses, they strive to come up with new ideas and develop their teaching skills. 

They take constructive feedback well, and they implement action plans. However, ineffective teachers don’t try to do better themselves.

6 Bad teachers generally lack professionalism

One of the biggest characteristics of bad teachers is that they are often late or absent. In some cases, they use inappropriate language in class and try to be friends with their students. 

Keep in mind that in some countries, including China, there are topics that a teacher should never discuss with their students, like sex, politics, and religion.

Lack of professionalism generally results in a teacher’s dismissal. I suggest you always think before acting, particularly when angry or upset.

7 Bad teachers constantly lack motivation 

Some teachers simply lack motivation and don’t do anything about it. They usually do the bare minimum, are always late, and leave early. 

They generally use no creative ways to teach and don’t challenge their students. When it comes to administrative tasks, they are often behind on grading and completing school-assigned responsibilities. 

8 Bad teachers shout or talk too much 

You need to watch your teacher’s talking time as a teacher constantly and ensure that you don’t spend more than 20% of your class time talking. Instead, focus on allowing your students to practice and speak more.

Bad teachers generally talk for the whole time, requiring their students to take notes instead of connecting with them. 

Shouting at your students creates a hostile environment making it hard for students to learn. Students should never be afraid of their teachers, and they need to feel safe around their teachers and trust and respect them.

9 Bad teachers know little to nothing about their students’ lives inside and outside school

Knowing your students will help you tailor your teaching methods to the level of your students, especially if you have mixed abilities classroom. 

A good teacher also learns their students’ names and knows them inside and outside the classroom.

In contrast, bad teachers are often aggressive and know little to nothing about their students’ lives inside and outside school. They usually don’t set high expectations and don’t use praise enough. 

Furthermore, they don’t challenge their students and inspire them to reach their full potential. Worst of all, bad teachers will not go the extra mile for their students and may have class favorites.