Some people say that to become a good teacher, you should acquire enough training, while others say that teaching capabilities can be developed with experience. Discuss both views and give your opinion. ( Jan 2012 Essay – Canada )

( Question taken from - www.ielts-blog.com)

It is a matter of intense debate whether training is required to become a good teacher or if one can become a good teacher just with experience. This essay shall look into both arguments before reaching a conclusion.

There are many reasons why teacher training is considered necessary. To begin with, it can be said that mere knowledge of the subject is not enough to be a good teacher. Teachers have to fight against pressures from multiple fronts. They have to cope with unending parental expectations, pressures from the management of the school, handling misbehaved students etc in class of at least 40 students. And above all since they are teachers, children future is in their hands so they have to do their best in making children learn. Teacher training ensures that teachers are well prepared to cope with all such challenges.

It is easy to understand why some believe that teaching capabilities can be developed with experience alone and therefore teacher training is not needed. They have a point because in most of the schools, teachers are given training at the end of the session just to complete a formality. The trainers provide stray bits of advice which actually are of no use to teachers but wastage of time. Such training is futile and therefore majority of the teachers learn through their own experience or through the experience and guidance of their senior colleagues. 

In my opinion, teachers are the backbone of education. They play an important role in moulding our country’s future. Therefore, teacher’s education should be regarded as a serious issue and should give preference. It goes without saying that experience does matter, but teachers are expected to perform right from day one and unless they have gone through some training, they are unable to do so. If they have to rely on experience alone, it may take them ages to become a good teacher.

To conclude, I would like to say that both teacher training and experience are needed to be really good teachers. Teacher training is very important in the early stages of a teacher’s career. However, this training should be really good and not just a formality.