Understanding effective English teacher: students' perceptions on roles and characteristics

Abstract

The study titled ‘Understanding Effective English Teachers: Students’ Perceptions on Roles and Characteristics’ explores how English teachers influence students’ academic development and learning experiences. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 40 bachelor-level students at two Tribhuvan University campuses through closed-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 12 gender-balanced participants. It identifies teachers' roles as facilitators of learning, planners of instruction, motivators, classroom managers, and adaptors of teaching strategies. The study places particular emphasis on the characteristics students associates with effective teachers, including strong communication skills, deep subject knowledge, patience, empathy, enthusiasm, adaptability, a supportive attitude, inclusiveness, and the ability to integrate technology. The mixed-method analysis revealed that students highly value characteristics such as approachability, clarity in instruction, flexibility in teaching,