Abstract
<em>Teachers influence to a large extent, the attitudes learners of a language have towards a target language. The question is thus asked, What do the language students want to see in their teachers?, what personality traits and professional qualities would endear teachers of languages to the their students? and how would these qualities be determined or influenced by the gender of selected respondents?. This study aims at identifying the qualities of an ideal language teacher as perceived by language undergraduates students at the Lagos State University. Selected respondents answered to a 42-item Likert-scale questionnaire concerning their perceived notion of qualities or personality traits of a successful language teacher. Independent sample t-test was used to calculate and identify any gender-based differences. Recommendations was made along the need to enhance the inherent personality traits and professional qualities of language teachers, explore the optimum potentials in order to maximize students language learning potentials. </em>
Highlights
It can be argued that one of the most effective pathway to improving students’ learning outcomes is the quality of teaching especially teachers’ ability to motivate and facilitate such learning
The first area was perceived by Japanese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) college students as unique to EFL teachers as the latter are expected to use the target language as the medium of instruction, which according to Borg (2006), it is a medium that students do not yet understand
Other review of studies which have been carried out on the characteristics and qualities of effective EFL teachers on a number of variables, have shown that despite the differences in the level of importance given to various features, there seems to be a strong consensus on the types of knowledge and behaviours that language teachers need to possess and display
Summary
It can be argued that one of the most effective pathway to improving students’ learning outcomes is the quality of teaching especially teachers’ ability to motivate and facilitate such learning. Other review of studies which have been carried out on the characteristics and qualities of effective EFL teachers on a number of variables, have shown that despite the differences in the level of importance given to various features, there seems to be a strong consensus on the types of knowledge and behaviours that language teachers need to possess and display Among these are competence in the target language along with good communication skills, ability to deliver the lesson in meaningful and engaging ways, the use of group work to encourage greater degree of learner involvement, ability to maintain a motivating and supportive learning environment and tolerance to learners’ linguistic errors usage. While Yoruba is learnt and taught as one of the Nigerian native Languages and English Language as an L2, Arabic, French and Portuguese are taught as Foreign Languages respectively
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
