Every teacher has their own approach to bestowing knowledge on expectant (and sometimes, not so expectant!) students. This is influenced by your personality, how you’ve been trained and the kind of students you teach. Take our quiz to find out which category of teaching styles you fall into.

1. Your class is misbehaving and having trouble concentrating on your lesson. What do you do?

1. Gauge the situation and quickly think of a solution on the spot: it all depends on who is instigating the disruption.
2. Empathise with what your students are going through. Misbehaviour is an indication that something is bothering your students, and the best solution is to find out what that is.
3. Send any misbehaving students out of the classroom so that you can get on with the lesson undisturbed.
4. There’s rarely disruption in your classes, as you prefer teaching in small groups or one-on-one.
   

2. One of your students is performing poorly in coursework and is disengaged during classes. How do you approach the situation?

1. Have a casual chat with them about their performance after class. You’ll only take further action if the poor performance continues.
2. Call their parents to find out whether there are any family issues that might be affecting them.
3. Reprimand them for not being prepared or committed enough to their studies.
4. You don’t concern yourself with poor performing students: it’s up to them to motivate themselves.
   

3. You need to teach a particularly tricky subject and worry that the majority of the class will struggle with the content. What’s your strategy?

1. Launch yourself into the subject without too much planning. If your students have questions, you can answer them as you go.
2. Check in with students at regular intervals to determine whether they’re getting to grips with the subject matter. If some struggle, you arrange a time for one-on-one teaching after class.
3. You stick to the curriculum and recommend that any struggling students put in extra hours of studying outside school hours.
4. For harder subjects, you prefer to structure your lessons more like interactive discussions to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
   

4. After your students have finished school, how would you like them to remember you?

1. The fun, eccentric one.
2. Caring and maternal/paternal, more like a friend.
3. An effective and organised teacher.
4. Inspiring.
   

5. What do you think is your biggest strength as a teacher?

1. Your ability to think on your feet and adapt your teaching style to the needs of the students.
2. Being able to sympathise with and relate to your class.
3. Sticking to the teaching curriculum so that students have the best possible chance of succeeding in exams.
4. Being able to give the right advice and coaching so that students achieve good marks without being spoonfed.
   

6. I think students learn best when…

1. They’re taught in a style that suits them.
2. They feel supported and valued.
3. They have clear goals.
4. They can ask as many questions as they need.
   

7. How do you prepare your lessons?

1. You plan your lessons while walking to class.
2. You plan lessons around role play and hands-on exercises.
3. According to the curriculum, at least a few days before the lesson.
4. By brushing up on research so that you have plenty of material for discussion with your students.

Which of these teaching styles best describes you:

Mainly As: The flexible and adaptable teacher

You’re the ultimate think-on-your-feet teacher who enjoys all the challenges teaching brings and has a tremendous awareness of the needs of your class. You relish flexibility, as it gives you space to adapt your teaching style to the lesson and students at hand. Your students enjoy your classes because you’re laid back and approachable.

Mainly Bs: The empathetic and student-focused teacher

You see yourself more of a coach or guide than a teacher. You prioritise your students’ well-being and happiness, and you’re prepared to adapt your teaching style to suit the needs of each individual. You believe that students learn best when they’re in an environment that makes them feel comfortable.

Mainly Cs: The curriculum-orientated teacher

You believe discipline is the best way for students to acquire knowledge, as it prepares them for life after school. If they learn how to be structured and stick to rules at school, they’ll be able to take care of their own studies at university. You think teachers should educate, not deliver pastoral care.

Mainly Ds: The tutor

Perhaps teaching consultant is a better way to describe you, as you prefer delivering teaching sessions to small groups or individuals. Not one for standing in front of a class and performing, you enjoy sharing your expertise with students through discussions over the course of a few sessions, instead of on an ongoing basis.

Whatever teaching styles you adopt in the classroom, setting clear goals, providing support and feedback, and demonstrating an interest in your students’ progress are core attributes of competent teachers—as well as equipping your students with the skills they need to succeed in the world of work after school. Contact us today to enquire about how our work-readiness training program can prepare your school leavers for the next chapter of their lives.

Were you surprised with the results of our teaching styles quiz? Share it with your colleagues so that they can catch a glimpse into their teaching styles, too.