Questions to Ask Your English Teacher

Questions to Ask Your English Teacher

Engaging questions that help you connect with your English teacher while learning about their teaching philosophy, literature preferences, and how to improve your writing and critical thinking skills.

1

What is your favorite book or author and why do you love them?

Opens conversation on a personal note and reveals their literary preferences, teaching philosophy, and what kind of literature they find most engaging.

2

What advice do you have for improving my writing skills?

Shows interest in learning and reveals their approach to writing instruction and what techniques they find most effective for developing writing skills.

3

What is your teaching philosophy and how do you approach literature?

Demonstrates interest in their teaching approach and reveals their philosophy on literature, critical thinking, and how they approach teaching English.

4

What are the most important skills you want students to develop in this class?

Shows interest in learning objectives and reveals what skills and competencies they value most and want students to develop.

5

How do you approach teaching critical thinking and analysis?

Demonstrates interest in critical thinking and reveals their approach to teaching analytical skills and how to develop critical thinking abilities.

6

What is your approach to teaching grammar and language mechanics?

Shows interest in language skills and reveals their approach to teaching grammar, mechanics, and how to develop language proficiency.

7

How do you help students develop their voice and style in writing?

Demonstrates interest in writing development and reveals their approach to helping students find their unique voice and writing style.

8

What is your approach to teaching poetry and creative writing?

Shows interest in creative expression and reveals their approach to teaching poetry, creative writing, and how to develop creative skills.

9

How do you approach teaching different literary genres and forms?

Demonstrates interest in literary diversity and reveals their approach to teaching various genres and literary forms.

10

What is your approach to teaching research and citation skills?

Shows interest in research skills and reveals their approach to teaching research methods, citation, and academic writing.

11

How do you help students develop their reading comprehension and analysis skills?

Demonstrates interest in reading skills and reveals their approach to teaching reading comprehension and analytical skills.

12

What is your approach to teaching public speaking and presentation skills?

Shows interest in communication skills and reveals their approach to teaching public speaking and presentation abilities.

13

How do you approach teaching different writing styles and formats?

Demonstrates interest in writing versatility and reveals their approach to teaching various writing styles and formats.

14

What is your approach to teaching literary criticism and theory?

Shows interest in literary analysis and reveals their approach to teaching literary criticism and theoretical approaches.

15

How do you help students develop their vocabulary and language skills?

Demonstrates interest in language development and reveals their approach to teaching vocabulary and language skills.

16

What is your approach to teaching different cultural and historical contexts in literature?

Shows interest in cultural understanding and reveals their approach to teaching cultural and historical contexts in literature.

17

How do you approach teaching different reading strategies and techniques?

Demonstrates interest in reading skills and reveals their approach to teaching various reading strategies and techniques.

18

What is your approach to teaching different writing purposes and audiences?

Shows interest in writing versatility and reveals their approach to teaching different writing purposes and audience considerations.

19

How do you help students develop their editing and revision skills?

Demonstrates interest in writing improvement and reveals their approach to teaching editing and revision skills.

20

What is your approach to teaching different literary periods and movements?

Shows interest in literary history and reveals their approach to teaching different literary periods and movements.

Want to learn more?

Best Practices for Teacher Conversations

Best Practices

Show Genuine Interest in Learning

Demonstrate authentic curiosity about their teaching approach and your own learning. Ask follow-up questions and show enthusiasm for improving your skills.

Focus on Skill Development and Growth

Ask about specific skills and competencies you want to develop. This shows you're committed to growth and want to improve your abilities.

Be Respectful and Professional

Maintain a respectful and professional tone. Show appreciation for their expertise and ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in learning.

Question Sequences

The Teaching Philosophy and Approach Sequence

1
What is your favorite book or author and why do you love them?
2
What is your teaching philosophy and how do you approach literature?
3
What are the most important skills you want students to develop in this class?
4
How do you approach teaching critical thinking and analysis?

The Skill Development and Growth Sequence

1
What advice do you have for improving my writing skills?
2
How do you help students develop their voice and style in writing?
3
What is your approach to teaching research and citation skills?
4
How do you help students develop their reading comprehension and analysis skills?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Questions That Show Lack of Preparation

Avoid questions that could be answered by basic research about the class or curriculum. Show you've done your homework and ask thoughtful, informed questions.

Don't Ask Questions That Are Too Personal

Avoid questions about personal matters or private information. Focus on professional and academic topics that are relevant to the class.

Don't Ask Questions That Are Too Narrow

Avoid questions that are too specific or narrow in scope. Ask questions that are relevant to the class and show your understanding of the subject.

Conversation Templates

The Teaching Philosophy and Approach Approach

1
Step 1: Start with: "I want to understand your teaching approach..."
2
Step 2: Ask: "What is your favorite book or author and why do you love them?"
3
Step 3: Explore: "What is your teaching philosophy and how do you approach literature?"
4
Step 4: Connect: "What are the most important skills you want students to develop in this class?"

The Skill Development and Growth Approach

1
Step 1: Begin with: "I'm interested in improving my skills..."
2
Step 2: Ask: "What advice do you have for improving my writing skills?"
3
Step 3: Explore: "How do you help students develop their voice and style in writing?"
4
Step 4: Connect: "What is your approach to teaching research and citation skills?"

Further Reading

"The Art of Conversation" by Catherine Blyth
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
"The Friendship Factor" by Alan Loy McGinnis
"The Art of Friendship" by William Rawlins