The qualities of a Latin teacher

Apart from having the best degrees, a teacher of Latin (or of any subject) must have above all good listening and teaching skills  to gain the confidence of the students. Some of these qualities are sometimes innate, but it is quite possible to work on them.

Above all, and we will not tire of saying it,  a teacher must be a pedagogue . This means that the teacher must be able to clearly explain his knowledge to an amateur audience. A good teacher must catch up with his students to be understandable. And this exercise is not as easy as you think.

When Latin classes for beginners seem easy, it is difficult to understand what can block students. Therefore, it is necessary to  show empathy  to unblock students and especially to be patient.

Feel free to explain things to the students several times. You should also think about giving different explanations. Each student may have different ways of thinking, so explaining an aspect in many ways will help you reach more students.

A good teacher must also be able to  follow the progress of his students  and notice when one is having difficulties compared to others. In a group, each student evolves in their own way; This is the difficulty of the Latin group classes.

But this rule applies, of course, to private tutors. You should do a regular evaluation of the student’s progress . In addition to encouraging him, you will also be able to know how to continue your classes.

Finally, one of the main qualities of a Latin teacher is, of course, knowing how to  transmit his passion . Latin is not a very popular subject among students. Passionate about students is an important mission for Latin teachers.

Culture, language, history … Latin has many aspects. Organize your classes according to what you would like to learn if you were the student. And be passionate you too ! The qualities of a Latin teacher