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The new school year isn’t too far away from getting underway. Hopefully you’ve had time to relax and enjoy the 6 weeks that you’ve been off work. Going back to school can be daunting for both the teacher and student, which is why it’s important that you take the lead and make your pupils feel as comfortable as possible in the classroom. To do that, there’s a few little tips and tricks that you can consider to keep your students engaged and help them on the road to success.

Kick-starting the first term back takes patience and preparation, but with our helpful advice, you can overcome just about anything. You may have to learn how to manage disruptive students or how to help dyslexic students, but becoming a teacher in the UK will be one of the best adventures you’ll experience.

Get a Checklist in Order

Having a thought-out to-do-list will make your life a lot easier. It’s important to know what you’re doing before you get into it to make sure that going back to school is as plain sailing as possible. Although there are many teaching methods out there, there are a few basics to consider first. They include:

· Having a warm, practical learning environment
· Decorating bulletin boards with what you’re teaching
· How to welcome students to the classroom
· Classroom activities and lesson plans
· Make what you’re teaching easily accessible (online documents/printed worksheets)
· Rewards and incentives
· Ensuring there’s plenty of supplies and materials
· Setting an end goal

Though this list is not exhaustive, it’s just a couple of things you can look at as an overseas applicant.

Set up Your Classroom in the Best Possible Way

Organising tables and chairs in a certain way plays a big part in how your students interact, not only with each other but with you too. Whether you opt for the classic rows, clusters or horseshoe shape, you need to decide the best way to teach your class. Remember, your pupils need to see what’s been written on the board as well as hear you clearly.

Put Policies and Procedures in Place

The key to a well-managed classroom is establishing a strong student-teacher relationship. You don’t want to go in setting a lot of rules, otherwise you’ll be seen as a dictator. On the other hand, you also don’t want to appear like a pushover by being too friendly.

On the first day back, it’s always a good idea to set a good balance. Try discussing certain things with your pupils so that everyone knows where they stand. Once you get into a good routine, you’re sure to build a great relationship with your students.

Helping Students Feel Confident

Many students may feel a little nervous about being in the classroom. Whether it’s speaking out in front of others or struggling with a certain topic, there’s a couple of things you can do to help them feel more at ease.

The flipped learning technique is a great place to start as it’ll give pupils the chance to learn more about the subject before you talk about it. Things such as videos, reading materials or exercises that clearly define the topic will help the student feel as though they know about the area of discussion, meaning they’re more likely to answer questions or get involved with group discussions. Brainstorming in the classroom is another great way for you to increase student interaction.

Take Time for Yourself Too

No matter the teaching job you end up applying for, it’s important that you still take some time away from your position to relax and unwind. This way you’re sure to feel better about being in the classroom and your students will benefit from this too.