First Step to be Mastering in Teaching

Teaching looks easy in the eye but harder in practice.

Ron Ashrovy
Aug 31, 2018 · 3 min read
Illustration by Sydney St. Clare on Dribbble

I am often impressed by teachers or lecturers who teach well. They are able to inspire us, even come to class without carrying books. They explain clearly and flawless. They also memorize all the difficult terms or unusual sequences. Until one of my lecturers said:

“How can I memorize? Because I have taught the same material for about 5 years! “

Let’s count, if there are 10 classes that take the same lecture, then he must repeat the material 10 times. Instead of being nervous. If you have taught the same thing more than five times, you will get bored because you already memorized it all. Then this is a question:

“How do they prepare themselves for the first time teaching in class?”

If they are not accustomed to appearing in front of the public before. Of course, they are nervous and afraid of something that does not happen yet such as:

Then how to deal with it?If you are a new lecturer or teachers who want to teach. Do we have to teach first for the first 5 years before student for fluent speak? Yes! For memorizing material and all difficult terms. But, to be able to perform well in front of students and students there are several things you can do.


Come to class early!

Illustration by Zazuly Aziz for Brightscout in Brightscout on Dribbble

Students will feel reluctant if the teacher/lecturer is already in class first. In Indonesia, you may use this trick. For the average teacher always comes late or even more late, rather than his students. So if you come first students or students will feel awkward and reluctant. Another advantage, you can control the feel of the class earlier than coming later.

Once, my lecturer did it. We shocked, and we felt inferior when we entered the class. The class atmosphere became conducive when the lecturer immediately began teaching.

Wear the Best Clothes.

“closeup of hanged shirts on rack” by Parker Burchfield on Unsplash

Appearance reflects 50% of a person. If you don’t feel confident teaching before students. Then, at least make the outfit that you wear makes you feel cool and proud when you wear it.

The strength of the appearance of one of them will make the one who wears it feel something like his clothes. So, if you see someone who looks arrogant wearing some fancy stuff; like a bag, shoes, clothes and pants. Please, don’t be surprised. That is the reflection happens because of the power of the appearance.

That’s why some known wealth people outfit looks simple (check Warren Buffet, Mark Zuckerberg, etc.). To avoid “arrogant people” label because of the sparkle of the clothes they wear.

Start by chatting

“people sitting in front of table talking and eating” by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Initiation or the first step in teaching for the first time, do not start with something rigid. Because if you are familiar with it, then it will be difficult for you to change the habit.

When students enter the class, they know their duty is to learn. Whatever word you speak before them is material for in their ear. This is what happens if you start with heavy material. Students will feel bored and sleepy or even depressed by your submission.

Start by chatting, and you must aim to share instead of giving them a lesson. That way, you will release some pressure on yourself. The nuance of sharing will encourage more harmonious. And also be friendly in delivery rather than patronizing and press.

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Ron Ashrovy

Written by

Public Speaking Mentor, Businessman, Expertise on IT, Pursue Master Degree of Computer Science in Gadjah Mada University

Curi Ilmu

Curi Ilmu

Kumpulan ilmu yang saya curi dengar dari orang lain

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