What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?

Question

Each case is unique, but here are some questions that might be helpful to think through:

1) What are my specific goals and objectives in learning this subject or skill?

What areas do I struggle with the most, and where do I need the most support?

2) What learning style works best for me? Am I more visual, auditory, or kinesthetic?

3) Do I have any previous experience or knowledge in this subject, and how can that inform my learning process?

4) How much time can I dedicate to practicing and studying outside of lessons?

5) What resources do I have available to support my learning journey?

6) Are there any specific challenges or obstacles I anticipate facing, and how can my teacher help me overcome them?

7) What are my expectations for communication and feedback from my teacher?

8) How do I prefer to receive instruction and feedback? Do I thrive with direct feedback, or do I prefer a gentler approach?

9) How do I envision my progress and success in this subject or skill in the short term and long term?

Thinking through these questions can help students articulate their needs and goals more effectively when communicating with their teachers, ultimately leading to a more productive and fulfilling learning experience.

Answer 1

The most helpful quality in a student is showing up with something new and improved each week. From there, I can always effectively teach. So I would say the most important question is “What am I going to bring to each session?

hope this offers some insight!