The class teacher.

Exercise 1. Read the text.

Notes: omniscient – всеведущий

zest – живость, энергия

mature – зрелый, сформировавшийся

abreast – в ряд, не отставая, на уровне

The education of children in their formative years is a difficult and important task, which places a considerable burden of responsibility on the teacher. The qualities that have enabled teachers to carry out this responsibility are not easy to define.

Qualities of heart and head go together in making of a good teacher. Her whole attitude is optimistic and cheerful. She does not pretend to be omniscient, but is lively, keen and receptive, enjoying her work and sharing with her pupils their zest for new discoveries. The fact that her interests are far from wider than the school curriculum helps to make her interesting as a teacher. She can explain a difficult point clearly, knows many ways of presenting information, and is resourceful in creating situations in which the pupils make discoveries for themselves.

Out of her daily contacts with children comes the understanding on which the mature teacher relies. She is sympathetic, patient especially with slow pupils, and fair to all, avoiding any appearance of favourites. Her sympathy is genuine but unsentimental, she can be firm when the situation demands it.

Above all, the good teacher is alive to the possibility of improving the content and method of her teaching, and therefore keeps abreast of new developments, gives them adequate trial, and absorbs whatever elements are suited to her own situation. She herself is able through the discoveries which she makes in her classroom, to contribute to the body of knowledge upon which educational progress depends.

The influence of the successful teacher extends beyond her own classroom in yet another way – through the help which she is able to give to inexperienced colleagues who may at first find difficulty in translate educational theory into classroom practice. In return she is quick to appreciate the value of contacts with younger teachers trained in advanced methods.

Exercise 2. Suggest an alternative title.

Exercise 3. Give a rough summary of the text. In your summary answer the following questions:

1. Why does education place a great responsibility upon a teacher?

2. What makes a good teacher?

3. How far does the influence of the successful teacher extend?

Text 4

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