Essential teaching skills and how to improve them

Teaching may be a challenging job, but it’s one of the most rewarding. As an educator, you play an important role in the lives of individual students and in society as a whole. If you’re looking to improve as a teacher or simply curious about effective teaching skills, then read on. 

The role of a teacher goes beyond delivering lesson content. Effective teachers have to master soft and hard skills, have in-depth subject knowledge and be expert communicators. In this article, we explore some of the many different skills teachers need, and offer insights, tips and examples to help educators enhance their teaching methods and create a positive learning environment for students.

What are teaching skills?

While specific teaching skills vary depending on the subject, level and type of student, they can be broadly categorised into two types: soft teaching skills and technical (or hard) teaching skills.

Soft teaching skills

Soft skills – often referred to as interpersonal skills – are essential for creating an inclusive and productive learning environment. These skills allow teachers to engage with students, colleagues and parents in a supportive and encouraging way. Some examples of soft teaching skills include: 

• Communication: conveying information clearly, practising active listening, and picking up on non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions
• Practising empathy: making an effort to understand the different needs of students 
• Problem solving: to overcome challenges and setbacks in the classroom
• Conflict resolution: mediating disagreements between students or colleagues
• Leadership: being able to effectively manage and motivate students

Technical teaching skills

Technical teaching skills are developed through formal education: a teaching degree or diploma and relevant certificates, plus on-the-job training. They include:

• In-depth knowledge of the subject matter
• Lesson planning to meet educational standards and learning objectives
• Assessment skills to evaluate student learning and progress
• General and specialised software and technological skills, depending on the subject and course type
• First aid certification

Teachers must use a combination of technical expertise and soft skills, to teach and assess subject matter in an engaging and effective way. 

Skills to be a teacher

Above is a broad look at some essential teaching skills. In this section, we focus more closely on some of these skills, taking a look at their role in teaching in general and how they are applied in the classroom.

Communication

Communication is one of the best examples of high-level classroom teaching skills. It’s one of the skills teachers use every day, in practically every aspect of the job. Being a good communicator means being able to convey ideas clearly, provide and receive feedback, and answer students’ questions. Teachers with good communication skills know how to encourage and motivate their students. 

Time management

Good time management is also essential in teaching. Teachers have to plan lessons to tight time frames and juggle many different responsibilities on a daily basis – things like marking, lesson prep, admin and school or faculty duties. Teachers also use time-management skills when they’re scheduling student 1:1 sessions, meeting with parents and setting quizzes and exams.

Organisation

Organisational skills are essential for teachers, whose jobs require a large amount of planning. Teachers are responsible for creating lessons, keeping track of students’ progress, adhering to a curriculum, and maintaining cleanliness and order in their classrooms. Teachers need well-developed organisational skills to stay on top of their many responsibilities and avoid becoming overwhelmed. 

Planning

Planning and organisation go hand in hand. Effective planning ensures that lessons are well-structured, meet learning objectives and fit into the allotted time. Teachers use their planning skills to make sure their classes cover all the curriculum requirements, so that students meet learning milestones at the right time.

Problem solving

Problem-solving skills are also essential for teachers, who often need to address challenges in and out of the classroom. These include resolving conflicts between students and mediation with colleagues and superiors. Teachers may also need to adapt their teaching methods to meet diverse student needs or modify lessons to suit their different rates of learning.

Subject skills

Teachers naturally need to be knowledgeable in their subject area. They should have enough expertise in their field to deliver accurate lesson content to their students and be able to answer questions and mark assessments.

The level of mastery required depends on the level and grade being taught. Someone teaching high-level maths to senior students will need a a higher level of mathematics ability than a primary school teacher. Overall, teachers of younger children require more soft skills than technical subject knowledge. 

Classroom management

Classroom management skills are necessary for maintaining a positive learning environment, guiding student behaviour and ensuring safety. Effective classroom management might involve:

• establishing clear rules,
• using positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour, and 
• having strategies in place for handling disruptions.

Special education skills

Not all teachers require these skills, but they’re essential for teachers working with students with special needs. A teacher skilled in special education might use individualised learning plans and adaptive teaching methods to cater to students with different learning abilities. The specific skills needed depends on the specialisation of the teacher. 

How to improve your skills in teaching

Whether you're a new teacher or an experienced educator, there are tools and resources you can use to hone and expand upon your skills. 

Tips for improving your teaching skills

As you continue to develop your career, there are actions you can take to complement your practical experience and further hone your teaching expertise. Here is a short list of things you can do to improve your skills:

Reflect on your teaching

• Regularly assess your teaching methods and their effectiveness.
• Seek feedback from students, colleagues and mentors.
• Reflect on what works well and any areas you can improve upon.

 Customise based on students

• Get to know your students' learning styles, their strengths and their challenges.
• Adapt your teaching methods to meet different student needs.
• Incorporate a variety of teaching strategies to engage all learners.

Practise your lesson plans

• Rehearse your lessons to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
• Be prepared to adjust your plans based on student engagement and understanding.
• Continuously update your lesson plans based on feedback and developments in teaching.

Tools to improve teaching skills

Aside from practical things you can do to improve your skills, there is also a range of tools you can use in your professional development. Some examples include: 

• Planner: use a planner to stay organised. There are online ‘life’ planners and calendars to choose from, and also digital lesson planners designed for teachers.
• Record your teaching: recording your lessons can provide insights into your teaching style and can help identify areas for improvement.
• Professional development resources: books, videos, teacher forums, information sessions – there are countless resources for teachers. 

Courses and certifications to help improve your teaching skills

• Registration and certification: national registration and ceritfication is a must to practice as a school teacher.
• NZ Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care: this certification covers child development, educational programming and care for young children.
• Graduate Certificate in TESOL and Foreign Language Teaching: this certification provides skills in language instruction and curriculum development for teachers interested in teaching English as a second language.
• Continuing education workshops and seminars: regularly attending workshops and seminars on the latest educational trends can keep your skills up to date.
• Online professional development courses: platforms like Coursera, Udemy and EdX offer courses covering many different aspects of teaching.

How to create a teaching skills list for your resumé

When applying for teaching positions, your resumé is your opportunity to make a strong first impression. Here’s how to list and format your teaching skills on your resumé, along with a template and an example to guide you.

How to list your teaching skills on your resumé

Your teaching skills should be in a dedicated skills section near the top of your resumé, following your professional summary. List your skills in bullet points to make them easy to read. Separate them into categories, such as Classroom Management, Curriculum Development and Communication.

TIP: Instead of general terms like “communication skills,” be more specific, for example: “Lectures and presentations” or “Mediating student conflicts”.

Example of teaching skills on your resumé

Make your formatting consistent when it comes to listing your skills on your resumé and group skills into categories. This makes it clear for a hiring manager to read and easy for you to add more skills as you acquire them. Remember that you should always tailor your resumé to make it relevant to the specific job you’re applying for.

 For example:

[Skill Category]:

• [Skill 1 expanded]
• [Skill 2 expanded]

 Classroom management:

• Experienced in classrooms from 6 to 30 students across all levels of primary school. 
• Proficient in conflict resolution for primary school students.

Curriculum development:

• Experience developing lesson plans for years 1–6.
• Advanced technical skills in curriculum development software.

 Communication:

• Student counselling, with a Diploma of Counselling 
• Experienced in providing student support programs

 Assessments:

• Designing assessments, assignments and quizzes 
• Marking and reviewing student work, providing feedback and support

Effective teaching skills create a positive learning experience for students, making time in the classroom more productive and enjoyable for both students and educators. Despite its challenges, teaching is a rewarding career path that provides lots of opportunities for professional development, through courses, on-the-job training and advanced qualifications.  

FAQs

What skills are required to be a teacher?

Key skills required to be a teacher include:

• Subject matter expertise 
• Communication
• Classroom management
• Empathy
• Adaptability
• Lesson planning
• Assessment skills

These skills are essential for effectively delivering content, managing and engaging students, and adapting teaching methods to cater for various learning needs.

What is the role of communication in effective teaching?

Communication plays a central role in effective teaching. It involves clearly explaining concepts, actively listening to students and providing constructive feedback. Effective communication also includes being able to pick up on non-verbal cues and engage students in meaningful discussions.

Why is classroom management critical in teaching?

Classroom management is critical in teaching as it helps create a safe learning environment. Effective classroom management strategies are necessary to minimise disruptions and promote positive behaviours. 

What are the important professional skills for a teacher?

Important professional skills for a teacher include collaboration, effective communication with parents and colleagues, and adaptability to new technologies and teaching methods. 

How do special education skills differ from general teaching skills?

Special education skills differ from general teaching skills in that they must take into account the unique requirements of students with learning disabilities or special needs. These skills include developing individualised education plans (IEPs) and using adaptive teaching methods.