Sergio, I've literally devoured your text. Some messy thoughts I need to share:
Do you think the term “student-centered” has become trendy these days? I do. I also feel it’s gained a certain status, as if “only the best” teachers can truly do it. I might be wrong, but over the years, I’ve learned that classrooms can be hybrid spaces. There will be student-centered moments, and there will be teacher-centered ones. And that’s perfectly fine—there’s no absolute right or wrong. Nothing is black and white. Am I crazy?
When it comes to novice teachers, I think it’s unrealistic to expect fully student-centered lessons from the start. Many of them are still in the early stages of their development and need structure and lots of scaffolding. It’s hard to learn holistically, let alone teach that way. The ability to teach reactively and focus on the learner comes with time and experience. At least, that’s how it was for me.
And especially with groups... how can we offer a truly student-centered experience when there are four (or more) people in the classroom? There has to be a middle ground. A bit of structure is not just acceptable, it’s necessary.
One last thing (I know I’m typing like crazy, and this text is totally all over the place—zero for organization!): with the rise of teacher training programs that keep emphasizing “your ideal client,” aren’t we all being a bit teacher-centered? I mean, I want to teach who I want to teach.
Fernanda, if that’s your version of messy, I’ll take it any day :)
Yes, I completely agree that “student-centered” has become trendy. The way I see it, it even carries a kind of moral superiority, like only a select few can truly pull it off. And that’s dangerous because it can make others feel inadequate or pressured to fake it with “just-for-show” strategies.
I’m also with you on the hybrid nature of classrooms. There are moments when teacher direction is not only helpful but necessary, and others where student voice can and should take the lead. We both know black-and-white thinking doesn’t hold up in real classrooms. It’s rarely either/or, right? The older I get, the more shades of grey I notice. Or maybe that’s just age and overthinking catching up with me lol
What you said about novice teachers really resonated. Expecting a first-year teacher to run fully “student-centered” classes is asking too much. The truth is, many English teachers in Brazil are still developing their own language skills when they enter the classroom. The more pressure we pile on—whether it’s to be less teacher-centered, to design meaningful tasks, or to differentiate everything—the harder we make it for them to grow. By the way, did you know (I didn’t!) that about 70% of English teachers in public schools in Brazil are between A1 and A2? I’m putting together a post on that soon.
Your last point about the “ideal client” really got me. Such an insightful observation. On one hand, we’re told that choosing who we teach is empowering, which it can be. But it’s also a shift in control towards us, not necessarily towards the learner. Definitely something to reflect on.
Honestly, your comment adds so much depth to the conversation. Thank you for sharing it!
It is quite unsettling to think a teacher gets to teach even if their level is A1/A2. I understand nobody starts from the top, but it feels irresponsible to place someone in charge of others’ learning when they haven’t yet built a solid foundation themselves. Teaching requires more than just being a step ahead, it demands clarity, accuracy, and the ability to model language effectively. Otherwise, I guess we risk turning the classroom into a guessing game rather than a space for real growth. Hope I don’t sound too harsh.
And it gets worse. Estimates indicate Brazil could face a shortage of 235,000 basic‐education teachers by 2040. So, on one hand, we’re already struggling with underqualified teachers; on the other, there’s a real risk that public‐school students may not have any teachers at all in the future.
Sergio, I've literally devoured your text. Some messy thoughts I need to share:
Do you think the term “student-centered” has become trendy these days? I do. I also feel it’s gained a certain status, as if “only the best” teachers can truly do it. I might be wrong, but over the years, I’ve learned that classrooms can be hybrid spaces. There will be student-centered moments, and there will be teacher-centered ones. And that’s perfectly fine—there’s no absolute right or wrong. Nothing is black and white. Am I crazy?
When it comes to novice teachers, I think it’s unrealistic to expect fully student-centered lessons from the start. Many of them are still in the early stages of their development and need structure and lots of scaffolding. It’s hard to learn holistically, let alone teach that way. The ability to teach reactively and focus on the learner comes with time and experience. At least, that’s how it was for me.
And especially with groups... how can we offer a truly student-centered experience when there are four (or more) people in the classroom? There has to be a middle ground. A bit of structure is not just acceptable, it’s necessary.
One last thing (I know I’m typing like crazy, and this text is totally all over the place—zero for organization!): with the rise of teacher training programs that keep emphasizing “your ideal client,” aren’t we all being a bit teacher-centered? I mean, I want to teach who I want to teach.
Fernanda, if that’s your version of messy, I’ll take it any day :)
Yes, I completely agree that “student-centered” has become trendy. The way I see it, it even carries a kind of moral superiority, like only a select few can truly pull it off. And that’s dangerous because it can make others feel inadequate or pressured to fake it with “just-for-show” strategies.
I’m also with you on the hybrid nature of classrooms. There are moments when teacher direction is not only helpful but necessary, and others where student voice can and should take the lead. We both know black-and-white thinking doesn’t hold up in real classrooms. It’s rarely either/or, right? The older I get, the more shades of grey I notice. Or maybe that’s just age and overthinking catching up with me lol
What you said about novice teachers really resonated. Expecting a first-year teacher to run fully “student-centered” classes is asking too much. The truth is, many English teachers in Brazil are still developing their own language skills when they enter the classroom. The more pressure we pile on—whether it’s to be less teacher-centered, to design meaningful tasks, or to differentiate everything—the harder we make it for them to grow. By the way, did you know (I didn’t!) that about 70% of English teachers in public schools in Brazil are between A1 and A2? I’m putting together a post on that soon.
Your last point about the “ideal client” really got me. Such an insightful observation. On one hand, we’re told that choosing who we teach is empowering, which it can be. But it’s also a shift in control towards us, not necessarily towards the learner. Definitely something to reflect on.
Honestly, your comment adds so much depth to the conversation. Thank you for sharing it!
It is quite unsettling to think a teacher gets to teach even if their level is A1/A2. I understand nobody starts from the top, but it feels irresponsible to place someone in charge of others’ learning when they haven’t yet built a solid foundation themselves. Teaching requires more than just being a step ahead, it demands clarity, accuracy, and the ability to model language effectively. Otherwise, I guess we risk turning the classroom into a guessing game rather than a space for real growth. Hope I don’t sound too harsh.
And it gets worse. Estimates indicate Brazil could face a shortage of 235,000 basic‐education teachers by 2040. So, on one hand, we’re already struggling with underqualified teachers; on the other, there’s a real risk that public‐school students may not have any teachers at all in the future.
https://jornal.usp.br/atualidades/brasil-podera-ter-carencia-de-235-mil-professores-de-educacao-basica-ate-2040/
Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I’m like “_____.”
Thanks a lot for sharing it with me!