How to become a great teacher?
The Three Pillars of Great Teaching that can help you grow as a teacher and create a better learning experience for your students.
Think of them as three overlapping spheres:
Knowledge
Materials
Personal Qualities
Each of these areas supports the others, and together they shape the kind of teacher you are and the classroom environment you create.
1. Knowledge
Be Curious
There is a beautiful saying in Chinese:
三人行，必有我师
When three people walk together, there is always one who can be my teacher.
This quote by Confucius reminds me that every person I meet has something valuable to teach me. Each student is unique and beautiful it its own way, regardless of their status or knowledge. Even moments that challenge you — when a student’s behavior bothers or frustrates you — can become opportunities to reflect: Why does this bother me? What this situation can teach me?
Keep Learning Yourself
Knowledge also means expanding beyond the textbook. Watch podcasts, read books, and explore areas that interest you personally — technology, art, science, culture, politics, geography, etc. When you share insights that fascinate you, students feel that passion and are more likely to be inspired themselves.
Reflect on Your Teaching
After each lesson, take two minutes to ask yourself:
What worked well?
What didn’t go as planned?
What can I do differently next time?
Small adjustments over time lead to big improvements.
I also want you to reflect on your time in primary school, middle school, high school, or university. What kind of teachers did you like? What kind of personalities did they have? What activities did you enjoy the most as a student?
I vividly remember the teachers I liked when I was in school. They were friendly, genuinely passionate about their subjects, and didn’t push us too hard. They were not too strict, often funny, and easygoing — like a loving guide, similar to a parent who sets clear boundaries while supporting you.
If you don’t have a clear example in your mind, simply strive to be the teacher you always wanted to have.
2. Materials
Use Quality Materials
Ask yourself:
Are they suitable for your students’ level and interests?
Are they engaging, clear, and well-structured?
Will they help students reach their goals?
Are they visually and technically good enough for online lessons (clear images, good sound, easy to follow)?
Make Lessons Fun (For Them and For You!)
When you enjoy the lesson, your students can feel it — your energy is contagious! Use games, challenges, and role-plays, add humor where possible, and choose materials you find interesting too. Well-designed slides, videos, and activities can make a Zoom lesson come alive.
Mix It Up
Even the best lesson plan can become boring if it’s the same every week. Use different activities (pair work, group work, discussions, games), change the format occasionally, and bring in videos, articles, music, or real-life examples to keep lessons fresh.
3. Personal Qualities
Curiosity
Being a teacher is more than just following a textbook. It’s about connecting with your students and helping them grow.
Ask them what they like, what activities they enjoy, what shows they watch, what music they listen to. Try to understand what kind of personality they have. Based on this, you can choose activities that really speak to them.
💡 Tip: During trial lessons, I like to include a short “Getting to know you” activity. This helps me discover their interests and personality right from the start — which is key for building engaging future lessons.
Empathy
Understand how your students feel — because learning is not always easy. I challenge myself to keep learning new things so I can stay connected to that feeling of being a beginner.
💡For example, I recently started learning Spanish. Struggling with grammar rules and pronunciation reminded me how overwhelming learning can be — and how much a patient, friendly teacher matters.
Empathy means being supportive, not judgmental, and giving students space to grow at their own pace.
Understand Your Students’ Personalities
💡A good teacher is also a little bit of a psychologist.
Every student is different, and different personalities need different approaches. Shy or introverted students may need more time and patience.Don’t take it personally if they don’t respond the way you expect. Respect their quietness — sometimes a small smile from them is already a big success.
Active, talkative students might bring a lot of energy to the class. This doesn’t mean you have to match their energy exactly, but you can choose activities that suit their character — like discussions, debates, or role-plays. The goal is to meet students where they are and create a space where every personality can learn and feel comfortable.
Professionalism
Feedback is essential for growth — but how you deliver it matters.
Start with what the student did well, then gently point out areas to improve, and give specific suggestions. Positive, constructive feedback motivates students rather than discourages them.
Students learn best when they feel safe to make mistakes. Encourage participation, be patient with errors, and celebrate small successes. A positive classroom atmosphere reduces anxiety and builds confidence.
Bringing It All Together
When you work on developing these three areas — knowledge, materials, and personal qualities — you create an environment where students feel supported, inspired, and motivated to learn.
Teaching is not about being perfect; it’s about being willing to learn, reflect, and grow.
Start small: pick one or two of these tips to try in your next lesson. Over time, you’ll see your students more engaged, motivated, and successful — and you’ll enjoy teaching even more.