Studying EFL Abroad: What If You Don't like Your Teacher?

This is the oddest complaint I heard from a friend who is studying Spanish abroad: He's not learning the language very well because the teacher is too beautiful and he's too distracted to listen to her speak. But he's not going to ask to switch teachers.

Among any complaints that EFL students have lodged against me, I've yet to hear that one. In fact, I'd jump for joy if a student couldn't learn from me because he thought I was too beautiful.

Most of the time, the complaints against teachers are of a less complimentary nature. If you pay for language classes abroad and you don't like your teacher, you must speak up either to the teacher of to the school's director of studies (DOS). Most of the time, your teacher can address your needs or-at worst--you can switch to another teacher.

First, figure out what's bothering you about the teacher and/or the class:

1. Is it the content of the class? Perhaps you want more speaking than grammar activities in class. There's nothing wrong with asking the teacher to provide that. He/she will probably ask the whole class in one way or another if it wants more conversation. If so, which is usually the case, the teacher will be happy to create the atmosphere for more speaking.

2. Does the teacher speak too fast for you? That can be solved in one of two ways: You can ask the teacher to go slower-if the other students agree that he/she is speaking too fast. Or you may need to be at a level lower than the one you're in now.

3. Is it something about the way the teacher handles the class dynamics? Perhaps he/she permits one or more students to dominate the class, not allowing other students to speak. Or you may feel the teacher doesn't control the class well enough. Even adults can present behavior problems in language classes.

4. Is the teacher just plain boring? This is very common because teachers often rely on the textbook too much for student exercises.

5. Sometimes it's a simple personality conflict. This is more infrequent in group classes than in classes with private lessons.

What to Do:

1. Almost always try to talk to the teacher first about what's not right. Teachers appreciate that and are usually very open to finding a solution. Many are unaware that a problem exists because no one says anything about it. A teacher will always be more responsive to a student if the student comes directly to him/her before going to the DOS.

2. If the teacher doesn't respond or the class still makes you unhappy, then go to the DOS. The DOS will then speak with the teacher and will decide a course of action. Often that does involve switching you to another teacher if possible.

3. If you're only at your school for a week and you have two days left, it may not be worth switching and getting used to another teacher for such a short period of time.

4. Whatever you do, just don't go off into another class because you have a friend in there or you're heard that someone else's teacher is better than your own.

Your happiness and welfare are a big part of the language business. And while the language student isn't always right, you have a big say in what helps or hinders your learning of English abroad.

Ilene Springer lives and teaches EFL in Malta and is author of www.an-american-in-malta.com .