Learner-Centered Teaching - Part Two: The role of teachers

 Chapter III: The Role of Teachers

Source: http://www.pngall.com/teacher-png

The role of teachers is very exhausted since they are in charge of many activities to solve problems, provide and construct knowledge on students. Learner-centered teachers work as a guide for students who lead learners on their way to becoming better. According to Darsih (2018), learner-centered teaching is an approach in which learners control their own learning process, and teachers shifts their role to be a facilitator. The keys of this role that make it better are that teachers focus on what students are doing in the classroom to verify if they are learning or not. Also, it aims to get learners  involved in the learning tasks, for instance, learners do not just wait just for the teachers' directions, they should work on their own asking question, generating hypotheses and providing critical analyses as an attempt to encourage autonomy in learners. Weimer (2013) points out that in learner-centered teaching it is required that students reflect knowledge on what they are learning through the assignment that requires talking about their own learning and foster critical thinking in making decisions, etc. However, in many classrooms teacher-centered role is still working as a unique approach because it is a traditional role and think that the LC approach does not guarantee the delivery of knowledge. Learner-centered teaching is full of challenges that teacher must face applying some principles of its implementation; for example: Let students do learning tasks, encourage students to discover, preparing meaningful lesson plans and foster learning from each other. All in all, it requires a lot of concentration and a model to follow in an attempt to help students in their learning acquisition.

The next video shows the importance of student-centered learning and how can be implemented in classrooms.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvzVAQkuSqU

In order to introduce learner-centered approach in the classroom. I would make learners work in a group project, for instance, a problem-based project that is a clear example of LC pedagogy in which learners acquire knowledge through the experience of solving an issue founded. So that, I would apply it fostering collaboration and giving them the opportunity to select any topic, for example: “pollution”. Learners should discover through looking for new information about the topic and stage a presentation proposing solutions for it. Considering that a project takes weeks, in the process many activities can be applied for example “Role-play” in which students concern about the pollution and provide suggestions to take care of the environment. Also, other activities like debates or competitions can be applied and they are an excellent way to foster the four language skills since they are implicitly related to the activities. 

References:

Darsih, E. (2018). Learner-Centered Teaching: What makes it effective. Indonesian EFL Journal, Vol 4(1)., 33-42. Retrieved from: https://journal.uniku.ac.id/index.php/IEFLJ/article/view/796/612

Teaching in Education. (2018, September 19). Student-Centered Learning: Why, How, & What. Youtube (video). Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvzVAQkuSqU

Weimer, M. (2013). Learner-centered teaching: Five key changes to practice. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved from: ProQuest Ebook Central,  https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uta-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1119448