Table of Contents

Sub-roles of teachers

HOMEPAGE

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The Sub-Roles of Teachers (Eric Hoyle)

• Representative of society (Inculcates moral precepts)
• Judge (Gives marks and ratings)
• Resource (Possesses knowledge and skill)
• Helper (Provides guidance for pupil difficulties)
• Referee (Settles disputes amongst pupils)
• Detective (Discovers rule-breakers)
• Object of identification (Possesses traits which children imitate)
• Ego-supporter /Helps pupils to have confidence in themselves)
• Parent surrogate (Acts as object of bids for attention from younger children)
• Target for hostilities (Acts as object of aggression arising from Frustration created by adults)
• Friend and confidante (Establishes warm relationship with children and shares confidences)
• Object of affection (Meets the psychological needs of children)

'The teacher has two basic sets of roles to fulfil. One set corresponds with the major functions of instruction, socialisation, and evaluation. The second set is concerned with motivating pupils, maintaining control, and generally creating an environment for learning.'

"...the successful teacher will be highly adaptable in his behaviour. The skilful teacher can play the role of comedian, kindly uncle, confidante, or any other informal role, but yet retain the capacity to return with ease to a more detached role when necessary without losing the goodwill of his pupils. A less accomplished teacher may play his informal roles successfully, but then have difficulty in reasserting his authority and lose the goodwill which he has generated by becoming aggressive in his struggle to retain control.... We might say that the successful teacher is one who:

a) has the skill to form accurate perceptions of the classroom situation and the changes which occur within this situation,

b) is aware of the teacher roles which are appropriate to different situations

c) possesses the personality skills which allow him to adapt to changing situations.

E. Hoyle: The Role of the Teacher, London 1969

Table of Contents

Sub-roles of teachers

HOMEPAGE

back to Rules of social interaction

go on to Secret theories of teacher behaviour