“Dareness1” in English Language Teaching2

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper‟s gist is simple: To be a good teacher of English, you need to have some „dareness‘—daring to be different, daring to change and daring to innovate. Such dareness in English language teaching (ELT) can happen at various stages: When you prepare for the class, design activities and materials, do the teaching, manage the class, assess students and attend professional development sessions. Using shocking pictures, dirty jokes and riddles, as well as taboo words, offensive topics and discriminatory stories are instances of this dareness. When you dare to do things, with the students in mind, your teaching becomes more interesting and the classroom turns livelier. The students are then highly motivated. For one moment, they forget the rules that constrain them and start to get creative, enjoying what is done in the class. And, finally, the class is full of fun, energy, interspersed with occasional laughter, and becomes a great source of inspiration for both parties.