Communication is the word. If you can’t express to your teacher that you aren’t learning anything then why not approach the Head of Department. If that fails, make an appointment with your principle? Bad idea? Then why don’t you just write an anonymous letter to the teacher or the principle and express your thoughts. I’m very sure that will work.

This matter cannot be ignored. Boredom leads to the death of creativity. Our teachers have some power over our passing and failing. But we are not talking about what the teachers should do to rectify the matter- we want to know what students can do.

Before I share with you experiences of other students and comments from teachers, let me quickly highlight some things you can do. (Don’t just read it, do it)

• Discuss your feelings with your classmates. If they feel the same, write a respectful petition and drop it in his/her pigeon hole.
• Try making conversation with your teacher. Talk about things not related to the subject. You might just develop another perspective of your poor teacher. Give him/her a chance!
• Compliment your teacher. Even if they don’t deserve it. They might feel motivated to teach more interestingly. Maybe you can say something along these lines. “Miss Leeram, I really understood your lesson better when you used a story to illustrate the concept. I found it very interesting.”
• Offering suggestions to your teacher is a great idea as well. But be tactful and sensitive when you approach your teacher.
• Teaching may not be your cup of tea, but what’s the harm in seeking career advice from your teacher.
• If your teacher is not looking, read your textbook on the same subject and topic so you are guarded even if you are popped with a question. (Only of all else fails)

If the list above doesn’t suit your style, then be creative and come up with something else.

But let’s not get carried away by putting all the blame on our dedicated teachers. Students make judgements too easily without thinking. Let me explain why. I have been teaching a foreign language at an institution for the past two years. My style of teaching incorporates games, excursions and I pamper my students with loads of goodies. However, when I get promoted to the next class, I always have my ex-students running towards me for solace.

Apparently, they are dying of boredom and they don’t want to learn the language anymore. Am I in the wrong? Or is the ‘boring’ teacher to be blamed? Actually, it’s our students. No one ever said teaching done in my style was right. Most teachers are trained similarly but not all teachers teach through analogous ways. Students shouldn’t only go to school to gain theoretical knowledge but also gain traits like a broadened mindset to be adaptable to all kinds of people. Boring teachers included.

Input by some students:

“Help me! My English teacher is so boring! I feel sleepy in class and am beginning to hate English.”

“I had a great time with my Literature lecturer last year. However, my new lecturer this year is not that happening. I don’t blame her but some of us actually took the liberty to write her an email to let her know. I hope she is not hurt.”

“My Accounts teacher didn’t seem to be keen in teaching us. He rushed through everything, making the lessons seem like a formality. His tone was monotonous and he sped through lessons like a whistling train. I didn’t bother doing anything about it.”

Input by some teachers:

“Just bear with your teacher. It'll prepare you for long college lectures. It'll be hard, but be respectful, pay attention, and take notes. Teachers notice which students are taking notes and listening attentively - and we appreciate those students for their effort. “

“A school is not a playground. What is boring to you may not be boring to someone else. Teachers can’t make everyone happy.”

“I would really appreciate my students approaching me about my lack of creativity during lesson time. It is my duty to teach but an effort to entice my students.”

Well, I hope you have got some answers and also a widened perspective on this topic. Keep in mind that there are always two sides of everything. Don’t make generalisations too quickly. If there is a problem, just fix it. You don’t have to be in authority to make comments on issue’s pertaining to your future, especially your education. If you have a boring teacher, get up and make some positive noise but don’t whine. Remember, whatever it is, our teachers are our guru’s. Maintain the respect.