Italian teachers have an important task. They teach students to read and write well, understand what they read, learn from their peers, and have meaningful and engaging conversations. Becoming a successful Italian teacher can be difficult, but there are some tricks you can use to improve yourself so that the time spent in the classroom produces better rewards for you and your students.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Develop a Lesson Plan
Step 1. Choose content that piques the interest of your students
While classics like The Betrothed are incredibly historically important due to their literary value, they risk being too long, boring and seemingly irrelevant to keep students interested for long. Instead, assign shorter or more current works, or works you know your students like.
Look for writings of literary value in texts not conceived for schools: a novel like Achille piè fast by Stefano Benni deals with important themes that can perfectly complement the reading of ancient mythology, while continuing to be an attraction for the modern public
Step 2. Assign a reasonable amount of homework
While it may seem like a good thing to get your students to read a long novel in a week, it could be an unreasonable expectation. Kids will not be able to read it in full and will just flip through it, reading a summary instead or not reading it at all. Encourage them to complete their homework and do it well by assigning only a reasonable amount of work.
Short stories are great to assign as a critical reading. And just because there's less to read doesn't mean students can't learn the key concepts. Find stories that illustrate what you are discussing with the kids and use them to keep them engaged
Step 3. From homework to help students understand the topic
Ask students to write a short review of a reading assignment, including an interpretation or a question about the text they read. This type of check should inspire students to think critically and consider important issues or make connections between topics discussed in the classroom.
Don't assign unnecessary jobs. Boring and heavy checks don't help students understand or enjoy your lessons, and they're annoying to do and evaluate. Be careful to assign jobs that help kids learn
Step 4. Focus on understanding the big picture
While it is important for students to learn a lot of new vocabulary and understand a text in great detail, it is not what they will treasure once the lesson is over. Focus on general understanding of the topics you teach. Give them the broader meaning of what they are studying and how this can help them in other areas of their life. Teach them how to learn rather than simple facts. This will help get them out of your lessons with a more lasting ability to penetrate and with a favorable opinion towards the topics studied.
Step 5. Arrange the lessons to fit into a single outline
Instead of jumping from topic to topic at your leisure, sort the lessons in chronological or thematic order. Bring the various topics together in your explanations so that students understand how each topic relates. Help them make connections and encourage them to consider their ideas in different contexts. What is the relationship between Kafka and Svevo? To what extent are they the same or different, and why?
Arranging lessons chronologically can make it natural to switch from one topic to another - it makes sense to study 18th century writers before 19th century ones. Also consider ordering topics by themes, so that you can study the development of a theme or idea across multiple texts
Part 2 of 4: Managing Discussions
Step 1. Know the topics well
If you are going to analyze a story, reread it several times to make sure you pick out the smallest details that you may not have noticed the first time. Present an interpretation of the work, but remember that yours is not the only one possible. Make sure you are able to answer any questions students may have about it.
Step 2. Enter external information
Although the main objective of the analysis should be based on the text itself, it may be useful to deepen external elements, such as biographical information on the author, the background of the text or famous or controversial interpretations. Do some research and report the most relevant or interesting information you found.
Step 3. Know what you want to analyze
Extract some key points from the text that you think may be more difficult or confusing for kids. Make sure that the topic to be treated is specific and that the fundamental points that students will have to derive from the analysis are not numerous.
Remember that teens will express questions and interests that you probably won't be able to anticipate. Your class schedule doesn't have to be rigidly set. By responding to what students want to talk about, you will create a lively, engaging and productive discussion
Step 4. Ask interpretive questions
You should guide your students to interpret the text rather than discuss the facts. Ask questions with "how" and "why" rather than "what" or with yes / no answers. For example, "What did Mattia Pascal do?" it is a very simple question, while "Why did Mattia Pascal do it?" is much more challenging and complex and "What do you deduce this from?" requires accurate reading and precise attention to the text.
Step 5. Ask specific questions
It may be okay to start with questions ranging from "What did you like about this story?", But only if they are quickly followed by much more specific ones. The wide-ranging questions do not help students think critically about the text, and encourage generalizations and hypotheses, rather than text-based discussions. Conversely, by asking specific questions about particular aspects of the text you will stimulate children to focus on the things they may have missed, to build analyzes from the text, and to collide with details that question their interpretations.
Step 6. Encourage students to replicate each other
In a discussion, students shouldn't talk to you. Rather, questions and comments should be addressed to each other, while you should only step in to keep the discussion going. They will learn best if they work together to build ideas and interpretations - they won't gain much from the conversation if you say what you think. Remember that you are helping them learn, and a big part of this work is teaching them the best way to learn.
If your students will listen and respect each other, encourage them to intervene in discussions without them raising their hands, waiting for an invitation to speak. This will create a more responsive, lively, and engaging conversation that can hold up even without you. If the voices get confused or if some students monopolize the debate, have the person who has just finished speaking choose the next one or find another way to speak, without you having this task
Step 7. Stimulate ideas in students and encourage them to do the same
It is wise to disagree with everything they say, but ask them to argue their claims with textual evidence, and encourage other students to bring up different interpretations. Putting pressure on students' ideas makes them think more about how to introduce compelling arguments. Also, help them develop the ability to speak persuasively and argue with their peers.
Debate and confrontation help a discussion to be lively, engaging, and interesting. If they start to get personal, or if students offend each other, consider directing the conversation to text. You should provoke the interpretation of the text by the students, not the students themselves
Part 3 of 4: Knowing the Matter
Step 1. Read regularly
Read many literary genres, including books, magazines, newspapers, and poetry. Reading is the best way to tackle challenging topics, collect lexical and writing techniques, and discover new topics to bring to class. Depending on the school where you teach, you should be familiar with the most important works in the history of literature. And you should always be able to make reading suggestions for your students.
- In addition to literature, read for fun. Remember why you enjoy reading and encourage students to do the same.
- Be aware of current publishing trends and try things you think kids might be reading. By doing this, you will be able to better understand their interests and relate to them outside of the classroom, and in this way you will be a more efficient teacher all around.
Step 2. Expand your vocabulary
Consider it important to look for new words you come across in your readings. Study your favorite words and start enriching your vocabulary. Challenge yourself to think about words you don't know. Guess their etymology and use similar words to understand their meaning. Don't be afraid to look for words you feel unsure of and encourage students to do the same.
At the same time, teach your students that a good writer's mark isn't just about pulling out cheap words and using them in a sophisticated way. Teach children the difference between using a word to draw a historical comparison, to make an alliteration and to impress someone with their erudition. There are more or less useful ways to draw out words
Step 3. Practice your calligraphy
Students need to be able to read your handwriting so they can understand the notes you write on the board or your comments on their papers. Write a few letters or keep a journal to keep your handwriting alive and healthy, and always focus on readability rather than the speed of your writing.
Step 4. Develop your Italian skills
Make sure you have a solid understanding of spelling, punctuation and grammar. You certainly don't want to find yourself giving your students inaccurate or incorrect information. Use reference texts and the internet as resources for grammar and punctuation rules, and don't be afraid to search for topics you don't feel confident about.
Part 4 of 4: Developing Your Skills in the Classroom
Step 1. Try to be comfortable when speaking in front of the class
Learn to have confidence in yourself, to stand in front of students and to speak well. Read aloud to make yourself comfortable, speaking loudly and clearly, and to make sure you don't stammer when in class. Practice public speaking so you can do it well in class.
Step 2. Encourage the students
Pay attention to your students, giving their ideas full consideration. Treat them as intelligent and valid people, and respect them in school and elsewhere. Encourage them to follow their interests and curiosities and stimulate them in and out of the classroom. When you give them attention and respect, you will see that they will behave so well that they deserve all of this.
Step 3. Be available outside the classroom
Encourage students to visit you after school. It could be useful for students in difficulty or who want to continue a discussion. Your availability towards them encourages them to promote a genuine interest in the subject, and reflects the respect and desire you have in helping them learn.
Step 4. Be strict but fair
Don't scold them at every opportunity, but on the other hand don't let them trample you. Show discipline, but don't overdo it, otherwise this attitude will lead them to behave worse towards you. If a pupil has done well, tell him and reward him. Similarly, if a learner is in trouble, tell them that you will follow them to help them find out what's wrong, or ask for a hand from another kid who understands the concept of helping those in need.
Step 5. Make sure your students understand what you teach
Don't speak and write too fast. This will give them time to listen, understand and write things down so they don't miss out on essential information. Help them assimilate the lessons and encourage them to make connections between various topics and the reality outside the classroom, so that they can more fully understand what you teach.
