Teaching styles.

Between teaching swimming lessons, and the time I have spent here in Spain, I have come to a better understanding of my own preferred teaching style. As I've mentioned in my last post, I have found that the general teaching style in Spain is much more rigid than what I have experienced in my own school. And, let me be clear, I can sometimes understand why that is, it just doesn't work for me. Teaching swimming I had to be active, and the more the kids were moving the more they paid attention and learned because they didn't have time to talk. Obviously, that doesn't work in a classroom setting (unless the classroom happens to be gym class). But for me, having a little fun in school doesn't have to give way to have good classroom etiquette. As long as everyone is respectful of each other I don't mind a joke here or there, or letting them have a minute to talk something out if they need. I have found that the more work I put into a lesson, the more I enjoy a subject/topic I am teaching, or the more fun I am having when teaching, the more the kids pay attention and the more of it they remember. I've also found, I don't like just telling the students things, they get bored and so do I. I prefer to discuss a subject, either in small groups (social constructivism) or as a class, and ask them questions, letting them find the solution or come to the answer together (enquiry based learning). Usually, I will then reiterate the main points in a logical order to makes sure everyone is on the same page, or have them explain how they understand it to their peers.
This sort of teaching just works better for me. It's what makes me enjoy the work I do, and, I hope, benefits the students as well.