Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL)

A Peer Reviewed (Refereed) International Journal Vol.8. S1. 2020

Impact Factor 6.8992 (ICI) http://www.rjelal.com; (February)
Email:[email protected] ISSN:2395-2636 (P); 2321-3108(O)

REDEFINING: THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN THE 21ST CENTURY-THE NEED TO BECOME

MODERN KNOWLEDGE

Dr. NEERUKONDA VISWASA RAO

Head, The Department of English, S.V.K.P. COLLEGE, MARKAPUR
Mail Id: [email protected]

Abstract
The rapid growth of technology encourages teachers especially who teach English as foreign language to use it
while presenting material and giving instruction in the classroom. In the fast changing world of the early 21st
century public education is also changing. As part of the changes the role of schools and education will also be
different both in the educational system and in the society. Together with them the role of teachers will also
change. In my presentation I am examining how the new social challenges and demands towards education and
teachers change schools into institutions with modern aims and social contracts. We are going to depict the
characteristic features of ’ideal’ teachers by exploring recent literature and the results of a survey. In the survey
teachers reveal their professional aims and needs for the future. Finally, we are going to explore teachers’
knowledge base in the 21st century.

Keywords : education – role of school – role of teacher – society – features of teacher

INTRODUCTION develop the skills they might need at present or in

The rapid growth of technology encourages teachers future.
especially who teach English as a foreign language to However, before we begin to understand the
use it while presenting material and giving evolving role of an ESL teacher, let’s outline some of
instruction in the classroom. The education system the most popular teacher roles. Harmer, J. states
of the 21st century has changed radically with the that ‘it makes more sense to describe different
integration of the technology in every sector. At the teacher roles and say what they are useful for, rather
same time, the students are more matured than the than make value judgments about their
previous time. Now, in the twenty-first- effectiveness.’ So here are some of the most
century education depends on Thinking Skills, common teacher roles:
Interpersonal Skills, Information Media, Teacher Roles:
Technological Skills as well as Life Skills. Especially,
Most teachers take on a variety of roles within the
the education of the present time emphasis on life
classroom, which role do you think most defines
and career skills. Now there has no value for rote
your role in the ESL classroom?
learning. In general, it needs to meet the industry
1. The Controller: The teacher is in complete charge
need. To clarify, the teaching will be effective when
of the class, what students do, what they say and
a student can use the lesson outside of the
how they say it. The teacher assumes this role
classroom.
when a new language is being introduced and
The 7 Roles of a Teacher in the 21st Century:
accurate reproduction and drilling techniques are
It is clear that the 21st-century classroom needs are needed.
very different from the 20th-century ones. In the
In this classroom, the teacher is mostly the center of
21st century classroom, teachers are facilitators of
focus, the teacher may have the gift of instruction,
student learning and creators of productive
and can inspire through their own knowledge and
classroom environments, in which students can
expertise, but, does this role really allow for enough
student talk time? Is it really enjoyable for the

73 Proceedings of National Seminar on Proceedings of One Day National Seminar on "LEARNER CENTRED
APPROACHES AND EFFECTIVE CLASS ROOM MANAGEMENT” on 29th February, 2020, organized By Dept of
English, VSR & NVR College (A), Tenali.
Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL)
A Peer Reviewed (Refereed) International Journal Vol.8. S1. 2020
Impact Factor 6.8992 (ICI) http://www.rjelal.com; (February)
Email:[email protected] ISSN:2395-2636 (P); 2321-3108(O)
learners? There is also a perception that this role 6. The Participant: This role improves the
could have a lack of variety in its activities. atmosphere in the class when the teacher takes part
2. The Prompter: The teacher encourages students in an activity. However, the teacher takes a risk of
to participate and makes suggestions about how dominating the activity when performing it.
students may proceed in an activity. The teacher Here the teacher can enliven a class; if a teacher is
should be helping students only when necessary. able to stand back and not become the center of
When learners are literally ‘lost for words’, the attention, it can be a great way to interact with
prompter can encourage by discreetly nudging learners without being too overpowering.
students. Students can sometimes lose the thread or 7. The Tutor: The teacher acts as a coach when
become unsure how to proceed; the prompter in students are involved in project work or self-study.
this regard can prompt but always in a supportive The teacher provides advice and guidance and helps
way. students clarify ideas and limit tasks.
3. The Resource: The teacher is a kind of walking This role can be a great way to pay individual
resource center ready to offer help if needed, or attention to a student. It can also allow a teacher to
provide learners with whatever language they lack tailor make a course to fit specific student needs.
when performing communicative activities. The However, it can also lead to a student becoming too
teacher must make her/himself available so that dependent or even too comfortable with one
learners can consult her/him when (and only when) teacher and one method or style of teaching.
it is absolutely necessary. A nation depends on the activities of the teachers.
As a resource the teacher can guide learners to use Identically, they are working to grow the basement
available resources such as the internet, for of the students. No matter it is school, college or
themselves, it certainly isn’t necessary to spoon- university, a qualified teacher is the builder of a
feed learners, as this might have the downside of student. Even a teacher on the special skills or
making learners reliant on the teacher. technical courses is keeping role responsibilities on
4. The Assessor: The teacher assumes this role to see the societies. For this reason, the leader of
how well students are performing or how well they tomorrow is created by a teacher. At the same time,
performed. Feedback and correction are organized if a teacher fails to discover the eternal power of a
and carried out. student, the student fails in his whole life. That
means a teacher is the best mentor for a life of the
There are a variety of ways we can grade learners,
student.
the role of an assessor gives teachers an opportunity
to correct learners. However, if it is not For changing the globalizing world, the role of the
communicated with sensitivity and support it could teachers is essential to improve the sustainable
prove counter-productive to a student’s self-esteem education. At the same time, inspiring and guiding
and confidence in learning the target language. the students in increasing employability skills with
the digital tools is the prerequisite for a teacher.
5. The Organizer: Perhaps the most difficult and
Thus a teacher in the twenty-first century will be a
important role the teacher has to play. The success
digital teacher. Teachers are not the facilitator for
of many activities depends on good organization and
learning of the students only, and now they are
on the students knowing exactly what they are to do
responsible for training the students for increasing
next. Giving instructions is vital in this role as well as
employability skills, expanding the mind, growing
setting up activities.
digital citizenships, critical thinking, and creativity as
The organizer can also serve as a demonstrator, this
well as sustainable learning. Thus, the winning of the
role also allows a teacher to get involved and
students is the win of the teachers. With the passes
engaged with learners. The teacher also serves to
of time and integration of technology in every
open and neatly close activities and also give content
sector, the teacher’s role has changed a lot. They
feedback.
need to enrich some skills to develop their students.

74 Proceedings of National Seminar on Proceedings of One Day National Seminar on "LEARNER CENTRED
APPROACHES AND EFFECTIVE CLASS ROOM MANAGEMENT” on 29th February, 2020, organized By Dept of
English, VSR & NVR College (A), Tenali.
Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL)
A Peer Reviewed (Refereed) International Journal Vol.8. S1. 2020
Impact Factor 6.8992 (ICI) http://www.rjelal.com; (February)
Email:[email protected] ISSN:2395-2636 (P); 2321-3108(O)
Let’s see the changing role of a teacher in the 21st for all students. Providing practical examples in the
century. classroom or collaborating in a class with another
1. A Planner for 21st Century Careers teacher can also help them to learn perfectly. To
emphasize, they know mixing the knowledge with an
This is the most competitive world, and there has the
expert collaborator can make the student
diverse option to choose the next career for a
motivated.
student. In this case, a teacher needs to become a
big planner to support them according to their 4. A Technology Lover for Learning
psychology. The future of a student will depend on Now, it is so tough to attract the students without
4C’s (Critical thinking, Communication, the use of technology. If you don’t teach the right
Collaboration, and Creativity). It is the duty of a use of technology and how to find the internet
teacher to introduce them the mentioned terms resources, they will get the evil resources. Important
very clearly. The students will need to try several to realize, a teacher needs to learn how to read the
multidisciplinary jobs. So the teachers will define psychology and what the students want. With
where they will give more importance and which attention to, if you can’t maintain the online
skills are just for adding value or keeping as optional. community with the students, you will not be able to
Besides, if an educator can provide a proper inform the students about the world. Indeed, there
guideline to build the career in the 21st century for has no way of the teachers to deal with the students
the students, he will be the all-rounder in his career without learning the technology and internet world.
and life. Do you know the quotes from the American As a result, when you want to build the nation, you
Philosopher Nancy Kassebaum? If we teach today as have to develop yourself first. Must be remembered,
we taught yesterday, we rob our children of you have to know how the Google Advanced Search
tomorrow. process works.
2. A Resource Provider 5. A genuine predictor
In this digital age, the internet is full of supportive The teachers of the 21st century know the
resources. When a teacher teaches the students importance of Acquisition-based learning and
from a collaborative perspective, the students will Participation-based learning. Similarly, he knows the
learn more deeply if they get the resources. It can be value of engaging and working in the community.
YouTube Video Tutorial, Digital Content, eBooks or For bringing innovations in the technology sector, it
even the printing documents. If the student receives is necessary to create cooperation with one another.
the supportive materials on how to enrich Critical In this case. The teachers can manage how to ensure
thinking, Communication skills, Collaboration, and the knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
Creativity, they can lead their own future. A teacher  A successful teacher will collaborate with a
can show the resources according to their interest. specific objective
Even a teacher can’t be expert on the topics, albeit
 They know when to listen and when to
he can easily point the links of the supportive
ignore
materials.
 Believe winning of the students is the win
Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was
of the teacher
born in another time. — Rabindranath Tagore
 They can praise smartly
3. A digital Instructor for Different Ways of Learning
 Welcome the changes always
Effective teachers don’t limit the learning resources
for the students. Correspondingly, they are the best  Explore the new tools in the technology
instructor for the students. In contrast, they will  They have the sense of humor
create the learning materials entertaining. In the
 Grow a personal learning network
digital age, you can find a lot of resources who are
 Measure success
teaching the course efficiently. The instructor knows
how to make the meaningful learning opportunities  Be open-minded

75 Proceedings of National Seminar on Proceedings of One Day National Seminar on "LEARNER CENTRED
APPROACHES AND EFFECTIVE CLASS ROOM MANAGEMENT” on 29th February, 2020, organized By Dept of
English, VSR & NVR College (A), Tenali.
Research Journal of English Language and Literature (RJELAL)
A Peer Reviewed (Refereed) International Journal Vol.8. S1. 2020
Impact Factor 6.8992 (ICI) http://www.rjelal.com; (February)
Email:[email protected] ISSN:2395-2636 (P); 2321-3108(O)
 Expect students will be the Mentors of HARGREAVES, A. & M.G.FULLAN
future (1992). Understanding Teacher Development.
 Power to the students London:Cassell

 Take the Learning Process Outside of the MIHÁLY Ildikó (2002) Pedagógusok a változ(tat)ás
Classroom kihívásai közepette Új Pedagógiai
Szemle 2002/4 79-88
 Help the students to become the
NIKOLOV Marianne (2003) Az idegennyelv-tanítás
entrepreneur and Innovator
megújulásának hatásai Új Pedagógiai
CONCLUSION
Szemle 2003. március 46-57. old.
Technology, as the newest instructional media
PETNEKI Katalin (2002) Az idegen nyelvek
developed in this globalization era, presents
tanításának helyzete és fejlesztésének
situation which helps the students to have new
feladatai
authentic and meaningful learning experiences
Új Pedagógiai Szemle 2002/7-8 p. 147-160
engaging their effort and behavior by providing
POÓR Zoltán (2003) Pedagógusképzés és
more fun and effective learning atmosphere. In
továbbképzés a változó pedagógusszerepek
addition, it provides the opportunity for the
tükrében Új Pedagógiai Szemle 2003/5 pp.
students to work collaboratively and easily access
50-54.
the information that can supplement their learning
experience. Those benefits become the central part
of 21st century education which should be
optimized in order to create sophisticated learning
immersion and maximize the quality of students in
the future. In this research, some media techologies
are introduced to one hundred student-teachers
having Technology Enhanced Language Learning
class. Those media, Prezi as online software
presentation, Glogster as visual online poster,
Edmodo as online networking application,
Toondooas online cartoon strip making and
Goanimateas animated video creation, are known as
web-based instructional media which can be used by
them to teach English as a foreign language.
However, questionnaire and interview are used to
obtain the data. It aims to investigate their
perception while preparing their teaching by using
those applications.
REFERENCES
Bellanca, J., and Brandt, R. (2010). 21st Century
Skills: Rethinking
BÁRDOS Jenő (1985) A kreatív tanári
személyiség Pedagógiai Szemle 1985/7-8.
753-759
FALUS Iván (1998). Didaktika Budapest : Nemzeti
Tankönyvkiadó

76 Proceedings of National Seminar on Proceedings of One Day National Seminar on "LEARNER CENTRED
APPROACHES AND EFFECTIVE CLASS ROOM MANAGEMENT” on 29th February, 2020, organized By Dept of
English, VSR & NVR College (A), Tenali.