What is a Language Coach?

“You’re an English teacher, right? “ – I’m always asked. Well no “ I’m a language coach” is my usual reply with a slightly embarrassed grin on my face, because I know what comes next is me having to explain the difference between a coach and a teacher. To be honest, I AM a trained and licensed teacher (k1-k12) as well as a trained coach (life coaching and for sports) – but what the heck here goes:

Teachers are education professionals whose aim is to teach a curriculum to their students, ostensibly to pass an exam, whereas coaches are learning specialists putting the student at the center of the learning process to refine and hone their skills for their specific needs. The fact is that a good teacher is a naturally good coach, and a good coach needs to be a naturally good teacher.

To use the analogy of sports, my high school sports teacher taught me the rules of basketball and soccer, some useful exercises perhaps, but he didn’t coach me through my struggles or my specific needs. Needless to say, he didn’t turn me on to sports or help me become fitter or an athlete. My martial arts Sensei did. By putting me against stronger opponents, teaching me how to use my speed and size to my advantage, and giving me personal encouragement when I felt down or lost confidence, he was able to build on my strengths and overcome my weakness.

So in a nutshell, a coach and a teacher can be one and the same, but if you are looking to refine your knowledge, focus time and energy efficiently in your language learning, and improve your communication ability, I would choose a coach anytime.