Teaching English

Dr Kirtima Upadhyay | Assistant Professor | SGRR Degree College

What is Teaching English?

Teaching English is a great Career option. Almost everyone seems to be talking about How to start a Career in Teaching English, while one should first develop an understanding of What is a Career in Teaching English. The most authoritative source of information on Teaching English is someone with real experience in it.

Assistant Professor Dr Kirtima Upadhyay is an experienced professional with 21 years & 10 months in Teaching English. Assistant Professor Dr Kirtima Upadhyay defines Teaching English as:

Teaching English refers to teaching the English language and/or literature to students at school or college level. Teaching English can occur either within the state school, private educational institutions or at home, supervised by a personal English tutor.

How Assistant Professor Dr Kirtima Upadhyay got into Teaching English?

After my Bachelors and Masters in English and Psychology, I completed my Masters in Education from DWT College and Ph D from DAV College. Post that, I took up teaching as a career. I have been teaching for over 20 years and I am working as an Assistant Profession at SGRR Degree College, Dehradun.

Assistant Professor Dr Kirtima Upadhyay's Talk on Teaching English

The Journey of a Teacher: Dr. Kirti Upadhyay's Insights on Teaching English In an increasingly interconnected world, mastering the English language holds significant importance for personal and professional development. Dr. Kirti Upadhyay, a seasoned English teacher with over 20 years of experience, shares her journey and perspectives on the art of teaching English. Having pursued her education in diverse fields such as English literature and psychology, she highlights the nuanced elements of effective teaching. This article explores teaching English through Dr. Upadhyay's lens, delving into the required education, essential skills, and both the positives and challenges of this rewarding profession. What Is Teaching English? Teaching English goes beyond mere instruction in reading and writing; it is an arts-based profession that encompasses expressiveness, intonation, and a rich understanding of literature. Teachers must engage students emotionally and intellectually to foster a genuine interest in the language. As Dr. Upadhyay emphasizes, teaching English also involves understanding the psychology of students, crafting lessons that resonate with their experiences, and nurturing their imagination to bring the subject to life. Hence, it is not just about imparting knowledge but also about creating a dynamic learning environment. Education English Literature A strong foundation in English literature is crucial for anyone aspiring to teach the language. Dr. Upadhyay notes that knowing poetry, prose, and drama enables teachers to explain literary concepts effectively. With a comprehensive understanding of various genres and poetic devices, she believes teachers can enhance students' comprehension of the material. Furthermore, literature acts as a gateway to discussions that can impact a child's appreciation for language and storytelling. Psychology With her expertise in psychology, Dr. Upadhyay recognizes that understanding a child's mindset is key to successful teaching. Knowledge of psychological principles allows educators to gauge interest levels and tailor their approaches to meet the varying needs of students. By fostering a stimulating environment that aligns with students’ interests and strengths, teachers can ignite a passion for learning English. Communication Theory Effective communication is an invaluable skill for a teacher. Dr. Upadhyay stresses that teachers must be role models for their students, demonstrating proper pronunciation, intonation, and expression. By enhancing their own communication skills through theoretical understanding and practical application, teachers can confidently engage students and guide them in adopting effective language habits. Personality Development The personality of a teacher plays a pivotal role in their effectiveness. Dr. Upadhyay highlights that teachers should possess a magnetic and inspiring presence that attracts and motivates students. By showcasing strong body language and an engaging demeanor, teachers not only command attention but also encourage students to emulate positive behaviors and attitudes. Skills Expressiveness An effective English teacher must be expressive, as this helps create a vivid learning environment that captures students' imaginations. Dr. Upadhyay describes teaching as akin to painting a picture with words, where expressiveness brings literature and concepts to life. By using variation in tone and voice, teachers can evoke emotions and make lessons memorable. Imagination Imagination enables teachers to innovate and create engaging lesson plans that resonate with students. Dr. Upadhyay reinforces the idea that teachers should cultivate their imaginative capabilities to generate relatable scenarios and narratives in their teaching. This skill is vital in ensuring students grasp complex themes and concepts through relatable context. Training Receiving proper training is essential for any educator. Dr. Upadhyay mentions that structured training equips teachers with various pedagogical techniques and classroom management strategies. Well-trained teachers can implement effective lesson plans, adapt to different learning styles, and refine their teaching methodologies for optimal student outcomes. Reading, Writing & Speaking Comprehensive competencies in reading, writing, and speaking form the backbone of teaching English. According to Dr. Upadhyay, teachers must continuously refine these skills to guide students effectively. As they share their love for language, teachers instill confidence in students to explore their abilities and pursue excellence in these fundamental areas. Patience Patience is a non-negotiable trait for teachers. Dr. Upadhyay emphasizes that children often make mistakes and exhibit disruptive behaviors during lessons. By practicing patience, educators can provide a supportive environment that encourages students to learn from their errors, fostering resilience and understanding in the classroom. Anger Management Managing emotions effectively is critical for maintaining a nurturing learning space. Dr. Upadhyay stresses the importance of anger management skills for teachers, as it allows them to respond constructively to misbehavior. By remaining composed, educators can better support students while creating an atmosphere of trust and security. Handling Different Minds Teachers encounter students with diverse learning styles and backgrounds, which requires adaptability. Dr. Upadhyay highlights the necessity for teachers to recognize these differences and tailor their teaching methods accordingly. Understanding and addressing the distinct needs of each student helps ensure equitable learning experiences. Positives Personality Growth & Confidence Teaching English not only benefits students but also enriches teachers personally. Dr. Upadhyay underscores how this profession cultivates confidence and communication skills in educators, who engage with diverse groups. As teachers navigate various interactions, they too grow in personality and proficiency. Self Expression Being an English teacher allows for unfiltered self-expression through literature and language. Dr. Upadhyay passionately conveys that English teaching provides opportunities for educators to share their thoughts and feelings creatively, which can resonate deeply with students and foster a love for the subject. Interacting with New People The role of an English teacher inherently involves interacting with students from various backgrounds. Dr. Upadhyay cherishes this aspect, noting that these connections enrich her life and provide opportunities for cultural exchange. Each interaction contributes to a broader understanding of the world. Job Prospects Mastering English opens numerous career opportunities for both teachers and students. Dr. Upadhyay acknowledges that proficiency in English can lead to diverse paths, including journalism, media, and communication. This versatility highlights the significance of English education in students' future endeavors. Challenges Mother Tongue Influence One of the substantial challenges English teachers face is the influence of students' mother tongues on their language acquisition. Dr. Upadhyay highlights that students often struggle with accent and pronunciation due to this bias. Overcoming this challenge requires patience and focused interventions to help students refine their English language skills. Confusion Students frequently encounter confusion regarding various aspects of the English language, from grammar to vocabulary. Dr. Upadhyay identifies this as a significant hurdle that teachers must address. Effective teaching strategies and extra support can help clear confusion and boost students' confidence in their language abilities. Disinterested Students Engaging students who are disinterested in English can be particularly challenging. Dr. Upadhyay remarks that it is crucial for teachers to find innovative ways to captivate students' attention. This can involve integrating technology, relatable content, and interactive learning experiences to rekindle their interest. Weak Foundation Many students enter English classes without a strong foundation; hence, they find themselves struggling. Dr. Upadhyay emphasizes that addressing foundational gaps is vital for their success. Teachers must assess students' prior knowledge and introduce effective learning strategies to strengthen their understanding of the language. Following Lesson Plans Teachers who lack proper training often struggle with lesson planning, which can hinder effective teaching. Dr. Upadhyay notes that adherence to well-structured lesson plans can greatly enhance the learning experience. Education systems must prioritize teacher training in lesson design to ensure consistency and effectiveness in instruction. A Day Of Teaching History Dr. Upadhyay's day typically involves teaching classes focused on English literature to 9th and 10th graders. She begins by discussing poetry and helps students visualize the themes and emotions present in the works. Her approach emphasizes making literature accessible and engaging, which fosters greater understanding and appreciation among students. Through her insights, Dr. Upadhyay conveys the importance of a passionate, dedicated, and well-prepared English teacher. The impact of effective teaching is profound, building bridges of understanding and expression in a world where communication plays a critical role. The journey of a teacher is not merely an occupation but a pathway to inspire future generations.

Install the LifePage App to:

(for Free) Watch Assistant Professor Dr Kirtima Upadhyay’s full Teaching English Career Talk

₹ Do a Self Assessment on Teaching English to calculate your Dream Index, which is defined as:

According to Dr Kirtima Upadhyay your chances of success in Teaching English is __%

Access your personalized Dream Index Report which will have all your Dream Indices sorted in descending order.

How to get into

Teaching English?

If you are want to get into Teaching English, start by investing in a Career Plan.

The 14 hour process, guided by a LifePage Career Advisor, will help you introspect and check whether your interest in Teaching English is merely an infatuation or is it truly something you wish to do for the rest of your life.

Next, your Career Advisor will help you document how you can get into Teaching English, what education and skills you need to succeed in Teaching English, and what positives and challenges you will face in Teaching English.

Finally, you will get a Career Plan stating which Courses, Certifications, Trainings and other Items you need to do in the next 7 years to become world’s best in Teaching English.

LifePage Career Plan

14 hour personalized guidance program

Your LifePage Career Advisor facilitates your guided introspection so that you systematically explore various Career options to arrive at a well thought out Career choice.

Next: your Advisor helps you figure out how you will get into your chosen Career and how will you develop the skills needed for success in your Chosen Career.

LifePage Plan will not stop at saying "to become an Architect study Architecture". It will guide you on which Certifications, Trainings and Other items you need to do along with your Architecture education to become the world's best Architect.

Links for this Talk

Assistant Professor Dr Kirtima Upadhyay's LifePage:

[LifePage]
https://www.lifepage.in/page/drkirtimaupadhyay

LifePage Career Talk on Teaching English

[Career]
https://www.lifepage.in/careers/teaching-english-7

[Full Talk]
https://lifepage.app.link/20171211-0003

[Trailer]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v3XOYahVXk

(Teaching English, Kirtima Upadhyay, SGRR Degree College, Educationist, Language Teacher, Tutor, English Teacher, Teaching)

Similar Talks

Teaching English

Tanvi Dhingra
English Teacher | Welham Girls, Dehradun

[ 1 year & 2 months Experience ]

Teaching is all about enlightening minds by sparking a child’s curiosity and moving him or her to think. It’s a multifaceted profession which involves understanding of strengths and weaknesses of each individual and catering for their needs.

"I started teaching in July 2015 and this was my first job and experience in an all girls residential school. I teach English Language and Literature in ICSE and I teach with passion. "

Teaching Hindi

Mrs Sangeeta Rawat
PGT Hindi | Scholars Home, Dehradun

[ 18 years Experience ]

There are several languages spoken in this world, one of them being Hindi. It is one of the most spoken languages in this world. Hindi teaching for an Indian is a great pride and gives a sense of immense satisfaction. It includes the complete knowledge of the Hindi language, where one can read, write and speak it. While teachig Hindi, both Hindi Grammar and Hindi Literature are taught.

"I was born and brought up in Dehradun. This is where I did my schooling from Shri Guru Nanak Academy. I then did my M A and B Ed from Garhwal University. I have been teaching Hindi from 1999 to 2016. I taught Hindi in Asian School and Scholar's Home Senior Secondary School"

Teaching English

Estela Lopez
English Teacher | Oxford Institute

[ 41 years & 3 months Experience ]

Teaching English is a great challenge, because teaching, whatever the subject one has to teach students, is a permanent challenge. Even more so, English is doubly a challenge because you have to teach children not only to talk but to think in a different language. To teach English, and the cultures of the countries where it is spoken, is to open the minds of children, who perhaps through the language, realize the possibilities they have to know other ways of thinking, other ways of living. In short is to teach them that communication is not only in Spanish but there are other human groups, other human cultures, that have a different language and is good to learn them. And since English is a universal language, not one, but the universal language, the challenge becomes more exciting.

"I studied English because it seemed to me that it was a career that was going to have a lot of job opportunities, and I was not mistaken, and to take advantage of the year i lived with Americans when i went abroad with a student scholarship, which gave me a good level of English to begin with. I studied in the UNT, in the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, and while studying English, that was what would allow me to live, I studied philosophy that was what I was passionate about. I graduated as a teacher in English and i got my degree in philosophy in 1974 and 1977 respectively. By paternal suggestion I decided to set up an English academy with which I was able to build my own company, still running today with branches in the south of my province. In addition to teaching English in my academy, i taught English in a private secondary institution and in the UNSTA. Also, along with English, i taught many other things like anthropology, epistemology, logic and psychology, but in fact most of my working hours were dedicated to English. I made several trips to the United States with students from my academy, seeking to have them inmerge in the language, which is necessary to speak it."

Teaching English

Sangeeta Sofat
HOD Commerce Department | Summer Valley School

[ 24 years & 4 months Experience ]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching the English language to students with different first languages. Teaching English can occur either within the state school system or more privately, at a language school or with a tutor.

"I have done B Com & M Com from DAV College. Post that I did a Diploma in System Management from NIIT. I got placed in a Computer Company by the name Microlipi as a Teacher. Realising my interest in teaching and reading, I decided to pursue MA in English followed by B Ed. I have been an English Teacher with Summer Valley School for 23 years."

Teaching English

Late Pramod Lal
Head, Dept of English | Education Department

[ 22 years & 8 months Experience ]

Education is something that teaches you how to live a better life. Therefore, teaching is a very important function, in fact we all are born teachers, like mothers, they are the first teachers a child has. Teaching is the sharing of knowledge which comes naturally to a person and it is an unending process that benefits both the teacher and the learner.

"I have been an English teacher for almost 39 years and I was one of the few lucky ones who could enter his profession of choice. I always said that I should be remembered as a teacher or else nothing at all. I observed my teachers and their methods of teaching right from my early childhood and in that way teaching became my passion and the profession of my choice."

Teaching French

Dr Shivika Dutt
Visiting Faculty | UPES

[ 11 years & 11 months Experience ]

French is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It descended from the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire, as did all Romance languages. French has evolved from Gallo-Romance, the spoken Latin in Gaul, and more specifically in Northern Gaul.

"I have done my graduation in Textile, French & Psychology from University of Rajasthan. I also did Masters and Ph D in Clinical Psychology from University of Rajasthan. I started my own practice in 2011. I am a Visiting Faculty of French in University of Petroleum & Energy Studies."

Teaching Chinese

Anukriti
Teacher | Doon University

[ 1 year Experience ]

A teacher is a person who helps others to acquire knowledge, competences or values.

"I did my Schooling till 10th from Bal Bharti Public School, Kotdwara. I completed my 12th from Banasthali University, Rajasthan. I did my Graduation and Post Graduation in Chinese Study from Doon University. I have been working as a Chinese Teacher in Doon University since 2016."

Teaching English

Sunaina Sangal
Trained Graduate Teacher | Summer Valley School

[ 3 years Experience ]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching the English language to students with different first languages.

"After completing my Schooling from Welham Girls' School, I did my graduation from LSR in History, Political Science and English. I came back to Dehradun and did my B Ed from Patrician College of Education. I am an English and History Teacher at Summer Valley School."

English Language Training

Shuchi Kaushal
English Language Trainer | Various Assignments

[ 17 years Experience ]

English Language Teaching (ELT) is based on the idea that the goal of language acquisition is communicative competence. It adopts concepts, techniques and methods in classroom for recognizing and managing the communicative needs of the language learners.

"After doing my schooling from HMV Senior Secondary School Jalandhar, I did my BSc in Economics from Guru Nanak University and then did my MSc in Information technology from Punjab Technical University. Thereafter, I worked as a ABAP Developer for Daikin Air Conditioning India Pvt Ltd for four years. In 2002, I started my own institute by the name of The Learning Edge where we give training for IELTS, TOEFL, English speaking and personality enhancement. We are also providing training to students of class 9th and 10th for Science, Math, English and NTSE. I am also a health & wellness consultant and a content writer."

Teaching English

Bina Venkatesh
Teacher | Welham Boys School

[ 20 years Experience ]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching the English language to students with different first languages. TEFL can occur either within the state school system or more privately, at a language school or with a tutor.

"After completing my Schooling from Nagpur University, I did my Graduation in Commerce from Nagpur University itself. I also did my Post Graduation in Public Administration. I have also done my B Ed as a correspondence course. I have been teaching English and Social Studies in Welham Boys."

Teaching English

Esha Shaunik
PGT | GD Goenka Public School

[ 35 years & 10 months Experience ]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching the English language to students with different first languages. It can occur either within the state school system or more privately, at a language school or with a tutor.

"While I was doing my MA English, I started teaching in Jalandhar. After that, I pursued M Ed in teaching and since 1980, I was teaching English in various schools and took up various administrative roles too. I have been teaching since 1983 and my last school was GD Goenka in 2016."

Teaching English

James Macnamara
Teacher | Japanese School, Delhi

[ 5 years Experience ]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) refers to teaching the English language to students with different first languages.

"After completing my Schooling from Wimbledon College, I did a course in English from Roehampton University. I have been Teaching English since 2013, and I am teaching English at a Japanese School, New Delhi."

Teaching English

Anuradha Bhatnagar
Trained Graduate Teacher | Greenway Modern School, Delhi

[ 15 years & 9 months Experience ]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching the English language to students with different first languages. It can occur either within the state school system or more privately, at a language school or with a tutor.

"After completing my education, I started teaching English as Trained Graduate Teacher and it has been almost 16 years for me teaching the language."