What makes a good teacher?

Every second pupil fails the 9th grade final exam. For years. Then a TV station sends award-winning teachers into the classrooms and lo and behold: just six months later, 95 per cent of the young people manage to gain admission to a secondary school.

A few years ago, this experiment at a school in Malmö, Sweden, impressively confirmed what researchers have been saying for a long time: good teachers are crucial in ensuring that children enjoy going to school and learn a lot there. But what characterises a good teacher? And are there any objective criteria?

If a teacher leads a class well, children always know what their tasks are

«There is a great deal of research into what makes a good lesson and therefore ultimately a good teacher,» says Regula Franz, Head of Primary School Practice at the Zurich University of Teacher Education. She cites three key points: efficient classroom management, cognitive activation and feedback. «If a class is well managed, the children always know what their tasks are and what rules apply,» says Regula Franz.

With efficient classroom management, as little time as possible is spent on administrative matters, lessons are started quickly and situations that could cause disruption are considered from the outset. «If I do a circle of chairs and then continue working at group tables, all the work materials are already there so that we can continue straight away and the children are never unsure what they have to do,» says Regula Franz, giving an example.

Making learning progress visible with positive feedback

According to research, the cognitive activation of children is also central to being a good teacher. «A teacher needs a lot of subject-specific and didactic knowledge in order to achieve learning success, make connections to the world around them and link new knowledge to previous knowledge,» says Regula Franz. Added to this is constructive, appreciative feedback to make the pupils' learning progress visible on a regular basis.

A teacher has to be organised and resilient. On average, she makes one decision per minute.

Regula Franz, Zurich University of Teacher Education

«We assume that you can learn these things through good training,» says the teacher. So does this mean that, in principle, anyone can become a good teacher? Regula Franz agrees, but only with reservations. «Teachers need to be able to communicate and cooperate well, they need to be well organised and resilient. On average, a teacher makes at least one decision per minute.»

A good education does not mean that students will become good teachers

These important skills would be difficult to learn - which is why students are closely monitored at the beginning of their training to see whether they have these fundamental aptitudes for the profession. In addition, teachers work with people and society is constantly evolving. «Even if I have a good education, that doesn't mean that I can be a good teacher for the rest of my life,» says Lena Hollenstein from the Institute of Early Education 0 to 8 at the University of Teacher Education St. Gallen.

She therefore believes it is crucial for a good teacher to undergo regular further training and remain motivated for their profession. «Good teachers can have very different personalities; what's important is the quality of the teaching and the relationship with children and parents,» says Lena Hollenstein.

The Swiss Federation of Teachers (LCH) recently pointed out that pupil numbers are expected to grow by eight to eleven per cent by 2030. There would then be a shortage of 13,000 teachers at primary school level alone - which is why attempts are being made to counter this shortage by recruiting lateral entrants. Swiss parents are open to such teachers. Three out of five respondents to the study «What kind of school does Switzerland want?» believe that career changers represent an opportunity for schools. This study was conducted by the Mercator Foundation Switzerland among 7700 participants.

Lateral entry yes, but the right way

Lena Hollenstein and Regula Franz also recognise the potential of career changers. «They often bring many skills from other professions, a lot of life experience and have often already raised their own children, all of which is good for schools,» says Regula Franz.

However, both also warn against allowing career changers to teach at schools without the appropriate training. «Being a teacher is simply a very complex and challenging job. You also need the right tools to protect yourself,» summarises Lena Hollenstein. And what about the pupils? What does a teacher need for them to appreciate them and enjoy going to class?

If a child blasphemes about his teacher, it only shows that he is important to him.

Lena Hollenstein, University of Teacher Education St. Gallen

In Germany, the German Philological Association launched the «German Teachers' Award» a few years ago. Students can nominate teachers who they think deserve an award. The criteria for the award were developed together with students. Michael Anders, project supervisor, mentions, among other things, respectful interaction at eye level, the ability to arouse curiosity and enthusiasm for a subject and the desire to recognise and promote the strengths of the learners as points that play an important role in the assessment of a good teacher from the students' point of view.

A teacher should not be the child's best friend

At the dinner table at home, on the other hand, parents often hear their children grumbling about their teachers, who are either «unfair», «boring» or «strict» and usually give «too much homework». As a parent, Lena Hollenstein wouldn't pay too much attention to such comments at first - and therefore wouldn't immediately doubt whether the teacher in question is actually doing a good job. «A teacher is not supposed to be the child's best friend. They are also supposed to enforce rules that may not always be met with enthusiasm, and of course that can sometimes lead to dissatisfaction.»

As with their dealings with their parents, it is more of a good sign when children complain about things at school. «It shows that the child cares about what the teacher does and that the teacher is important to them,» says Lena Hollenstein. In her opinion, parents should only attach greater importance to complaining about teachers if it affects their child's general enjoyment of school. «Then it is definitely necessary to seek a dialogue with the teacher.» Ideally, the teacher will always have an open ear for parents and maintain a good relationship with them - according to the experts, this is also an important criterion for a teacher who does their job well.