He was my professor and I can reassure you that his class was the best english class I ever had.

"You cannot fake content. You cannot fake passion."

This is exactly how I teach English, for the same reasons - I want my students to be able to use and enjoy the language, not just pass an exam! Roberto explains it so well, and his passion shines through. Love it. :-)

As a newbie teacher I sometimes feel really anxious about teaching my students the correct form that I neglect what they want to express. This was really eye-opening, thank you so much.

"We never use textbooks". Such soothing words.

all teachers should use content-based teaching methods. great point

"Specificity entails responsibility. " Super on point.

When the teacher does his job with love... this is creativity

Such a humble title. This man's biggest flex is how he get the students to be interested enough to work with each other to actually learn something. And learning is a painful process that's why not many gets much enthusiasm towards it. Such a wonderful human being 🥺.

This is information that soooooo many people need to hear right now. It doesn't matter whether they're English Language Learners or not. We are all lifelong learners. This teacher does a great job of explaining how to speak in public even when expressing differing ideas. He's amazing!

Japan needs this. Hard. I've been an English 'teacher' here for a number of years. But the traditional methods always leave the students (and me) scratching their heads. I've executed a number of the points mentioned in the talk, but never really put them all together. Maybe I should learn how to cook.

I am teaching English, currently, and think that it's a great point to let students make mistakes, but it's so different from the modern, standard educational system. You're right. Content is far more important than form. Being able to communicate--even grammatically incorrectly--is the motivation needed to continue to copy those who speak more "correctly." But even then, language is always changing, and English hasn't always been English. There are no hard and fast rules except those we agree to.

This is one of the most inspiring talks I've ever watched. Thanks a million professor Guzman for sharing your experience on here.. hats off!

"Fear people who fear questions" this should apply to all things in the dimension.

This is gold .... thanks so much for inspire all of us.

"Specificity entails responsibility."

OMG!!! I was your student too!! I loved your class. Even though I already knew how to speak and write English, I loved being in your class because I learned how to improve reading and writing skills. I still remember that I was going to travel to NY to visit my fiancée at that time, and you kept recommending me to go see the Play: The Capeman. Ironically, I am currently a Spanish teacher at a Middle school in New Jersey. I moved to NJ shortly after I graduated in 2002 and I've been here since. It is such a great pleasure being able to listen to your voice again and being able to see this video because you still show the same passion towards teaching that you had back then when I was your student. You are a true inspiration to me!!! I wish that I show the same passion towards teaching in the future. I would like to teach Spanish without Teaching Spanish -Jackie Valle (López-Acevedo)

This TedTalk is brilliant! I’m an English Language&Literature graduate and I can say that I would have loved this kind of professor! His approach to language is amazing. He also uses some Psychology concepts and strategies and apply them to teaching English. I admire him and his passion for English language. ♥️ Thank you for sharing your knowledge! 🙏

I have been teaching English for four months now and this was definitely an enlightening talk. I have been trying to get the students out of their shells, to talk more, to have conversations with them. I often take TED Ed videos to the classes for them to have a little debate, but it's very hard to get them to come out, but when it finally happens, it reminds me of why I love my job, and why I shouldn't give up on my students, because they and I know they can.

Well I am an English teacher too and found this man greatly inspirational as a teacher. Do not feel you learning a language rather you are living the language 😊

It's OK to make mistakes. The mistakes I make as an advanced speaker have nothing to do with those I made when I was a beginner or an intermediate learner. Besides, I now intuitively know that something is not right with some sentence, even if I can't detect the mistake immediately. Sometimes, I even correct mistakes to native speakers, teachers, and advanced speakers like me. I find this quite impressive and this has encouraged me further to continue practising my English. Thanks for the talk.

"Ask questions, always questions" I found my best students are always the ones who ask many questions, as well as the ones being very confident in their learning, not being afraid of mistakes and always keep on going. I am on my way to change the way I teach French here in Taiwan. I am also pretty frustrated of the traditional way. From what I observed when I learnt language myself, and also in my students or polyglots, the traditional method is not efficient. Students should "dive into the language" and the teacher is there to guide them and give them the keys to understand how other people communicate....not the grammar. Thank you very much for your talk!! Muchas Gracias!

This is one of the best presentations I've ever seen in TEDx

Hi Roberto, I am a qualified English teacher in the UK. I stopped teaching in mainstream immediately after completing my training, not as a result of bad behaviour, not as a result of hours of preparation and marking before and after school, on holidays, on the weekends, Not because the school I worked in was mismanaged or because the teachers were apathetic. (I loved and still loved my training school!) I stopped teaching in main stream education because our government decided that grammar, above all else, (particularly learning grammar terms and identifying them) was, above all, THE most important part of the English curriculum. It was depressing and upsetting to watch students who were, had been, and had the potential to be, incredible thinkers, debaters, philosophers, writers, and so on, become apathetic, bored, and disinterested in my lessons. I empathised - because I was too. I had a teacher during secondary school who behaved and taught in ways that you do - she taught us correct use of grammar, syntax, sentence style, form etc. through newspaper articles and interesting novels, poetry and plays. I did not know that I was learning grammar and all of the skills required for the language paper until, a month before the exam, I rushed to her office in a panic, telling her WE DID NOT PRACTISE anything for any of the language papers. I had interrupted her as she was writing an important paper. Instead of shouting at me, or berating me, she calmly raised one eyebrow and said 'didn't we?' We looked through a few past papers and the mark scheme and I realised that I had been learning language while learning literature, in much the same way as you are teaching expression and voice and confidence, while quietly teaching all of the 'language' parts in the background. I would love to say that I could be that teacher, I wanted so desperately to be that teacher, I believe that I am to the number of students I currently teach. I hope that the next government senses the mistakes of today and reverts back to understanding that great writing, speaking, and thinking are so much more important than knowing the difference between a noun and a pronoun. That will come, and if it does not for some, who cares!

One of the best ted talks I've seen, very inspiring and as a teacher of English myself, (starting today!!) I'll definitely use your method, I couldn't agree more! Thank you Roberto Guzman.

This has inspired me to open my own English academy in my country. Thanks for the push I sorely needed.

As a 4th grade teacher, I took his approach (without knowing of Roberto Guzmán or having watched this video) 3 years ago with a student from México. It works. Immersion into the language with cooperative learning, casual conversation and inclusion into the school’s culture.

Probably the Best Ever presentation I ever seen on How to Teach... anything, to anyone. It really make me to whish having Roberto Guzman as my teacher.

I look forward to one day traveling the world and using my skills to build bridges between myself and people of all languages. This video was really encouraging.

Professor Roberto Guzman, I've watched your talk repeatedly and the more I do it, the more interesting I find it. You seem to be the kind of teacher who has devoted a lot of time to thinking and trying to figure out how to teach better. You remind me of the teacher I will become in some years. Thank you professor.

Awesome job brother. I'm a PR from NY teaching Eng. in Poland. Everything you said is spot-on!

Omg ...u r flowing like a river Kindly throw light on teaching English for primary school students pl

Excelente!!! Ahora mismo, as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I am learning Spanish in a foreign country and gearing up to teach English for the first time in my life. This talk is a true inspirationl. Muchas gracias!

Roberto, eres un genio man!!! me has inspirado!!

Wonderful talk! I wish so very nuch that he were my teacher. His priorities are correct, and not even touched on in many classrooms, even with kind and helpful teachers, because these skills aren't even on school districts' radar. Let us all together go to school board meetings and advocate (in a collegial spirit) for the fostering of these skills.

I felt inspired just listening to him. His passion for language and learning for his approach. My favorite is sticking to the content instead of insulting. People get so side tracked at times and start making it personal. I don't know why it has to get to that point and can't just stay on the topic at hand. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him speak.

I feel as though I'm listening to myself. I'm so happy this exists and that there are teachers out there with whom I can agree with completely. Keep up this excellent work!

This is the best way to teach! Thank you, Roberto, for opening doors for teachers, too! Muchas gracias!

This is one of the best ted talks that I've seen. Gracias sr. Roberto

You are absolutely right! Thank You for this speech!

This is what we need in every language school! Thank you so much professor, I love your teaching style. I'd love to be your student!

Definitely one of the best TEDx talks I've seen, thank you for sharing your ideas. As I prepare to teach overseas this gives me extra motivation and a semblance of confidence :)

Remarkable 'teacher' in the true sense of the word. My hat off to you sir!

love him!! I learned english by not learning English, to find that this is an actual technique used by this professor was so cool! this was so eye-opening for me

Proud of Roberto, one of my favorite professors!

This is one of the best TED talks I have viewed. Mathematics is a language too. Mathematics should be taught this way.

I really loved listening to this talk. It's crucial to establish classroom rules, emphasizing the separation between ideas and individuals. Preventing the potential harm caused by unchecked bad ideas is a thought-provoking concept.

After watching this video I realized I'm going in the right direction. I wish every educator thought this way, we would have so many English speakers around the world! Thank you for that!

I am a language teacher and I totally agree with Roberto. In my class, I emphasize that linguistic competence is secondary to communicative competence.

Damn, Roberto, I've actually been teaching like you for the last year. I think it's because I was never educated as an english teacher, my education was in literature. So I wanted to aim my english classes towards that sort of literature education rather than grammar. This was basically my instinct from my first month as a high school teacher and I thought I was doing something wrong because I was not teaching grammar or using textbooks, and also because well, I didn't have teaching education and this is my first year on the job. Listening to this talk by an experienced teacher who reached the same conclussions as me reassures me on the path I want to continue as a teacher.

Excellent...I love the way he thinks. Mandatory viewing for all educators, tutors and instructors.

One of my favorite TED Talks

Inspiring! I always tell my students same thing:" l just give you the keys that open the world for you"..they go and open them and it won't be my job any more..Great speech!

One way to motivate is talking about what is their passion/ interest and learning to talk about it in English. Ask questions - that is what learning is about.

A great teacher! Thank you for teaching people not just English, but to think and ask!!

Amazing! Richly resonant with my experience and conviction too. Thank you for sharing

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SOUL!!!

Thank you sir! That was fantastic and so important!!! This is all a process, and we have to develop and change in order to learn well.

I have been English teacher for years, but you have just opened a new door for me. I hope to have the courage to get inside and explore this wonderful world

I'm truly inspired. Thank you for incredible talk Mr. Roberto.

Had I seen it right away, it would have been a great birthday gift :) Roberto Guzman, thank you for this talk, I wish you had been my ESL teacher back in the 90s. Right now, I teach English too and I'm really thankful for this inspiration.

Perfect. I'm glad I watched this video as I am an English teacher as well. Thank you.

Roberto Guzman, I absolutely love your talks and your intelligent, tender spirit. I am going to be starting school in the Spring, and I aim to get a degree in ESL. You inspire me to no end.

I could hardly agree more with Professor Guzman. We need more teachers--and more people--like him in the world! One thing: I think he misunderstands the term "cognitive dissonance." It refers to something different from what he was talking about. Specifically, it refers to holding two mutually contradicting ideas or beliefs in one's mind. But that's a very minor thing. Besides, like he said, it's OK to make mistakes!

Roberto, you have changed the way I run my own Ela class room

Mr Guzman! No sé si me lea algún día, pero le comento. Soy maestra de inglés, acabo de empezar mi carrera, tengo solo 23 años. A veces me sentía igual que como usted lo describe, "incómoda" por el hecho de que algunos alumnos no quieren participar. Pero usted me ha dado herramientas valiosas en su TED Talk para aplicar como maestra. Muchísimas gracias! Le agradezco mucho. Espero no solo mejorar yo cómo maestra, sino que mis alumnos mejoren en el hábito de preguntar y cuestionar. Gracias!

Sir, I stumbled upon this video and loved every word you spoke. Thank you for such a brilliant explanation.

Thank you Roberto for this wonderful lecture. I hope that every teacher of a second language will learn and internalize your approach. I am teaching Hebrew as a second language and I definitely took home many of your ideas and thoughts. Thank you!!

Wow, this guy is so inspiring I feel like I'd like to go back to teaching! Passionate teachers are the cornerstone of a country that wants its citizens to evolve as human beings, learn critical thinking and not just become taxpayers.

This is a life changing speech that everyone whether you are a student or a teacher should study this deep, logical and educational talk. Content is more important than the form. Every language learner should keep this in mind.

Wow, what a great talk! No BS, every second is worth watching. Thank you for articulating so well how language should be taught. I'm a fan already ❤

Couldn’t agree more. I’m happy to see I’m not alone in my thinking, I hope there’ll be more and more of us. Wonderful speech. Thank you so much for it. I’ce just been reassured I’m doing the right thing.

What a great talk--so holistic even though it's supposed to be about learning English, it covers a lot of education!

Great, great talk!!! Such precious lessons from this thinking professor.

there is no way you can’t love this man.. amazing❤️

He shines while speaks. Fascinating speech, man.

This makes me cry~ :) Thank you, professor.

One of the best college professors I've ever had

Underrated speech! He appears to be a very passionate teacher.

Thank you so much for speaking out! I have been thinking about many of these questions for a long time now. I, too, try to integrate philosophical thinking (questioning thinking) into my lessons. What I have found is that students have such great ideas and so many intersting questions that in the end it is me who is taught!

I so agree. I do not teach grammar because I find it an unnatural way to learn another language. For me, INTUITION is the key word. Just as babies use intuition to figure out what their parents are saying, I encourage my students to develop this essential skill: intuition. No translation, no grammar rules to remember. Learn from pictures, movements, sounds, acquire a language. Never "study" it. and I welcome mistakes as a natural part of the learning process. Through mistakes, we learn.

Amazing talk! I tutor in ESL online and there is so much that I've learned and can use to help my students.

I don’t know if you still watch this but this is Randy , Sir Robert you are the best English prof I’ve ever known.

One of the biggest TED talks ever. I agree, deep, clear, and meaningful thinking with a bit of humor, and fun with some intermittent words in Spanish. It would have been a dream to attend an English course with Roberto Guzman.

great talk full of passion and warm language . i m so impressed . really that is the way how any learner of any language can taste its wonderful texture .... speaking and being engaged in communication without any fear or anxiaty.

Great speech! So much valuable advice in a short video.

One of my favorite talks ever!!!

Thanks professor Guzmán. I,'m an English teacher myself, I want My students feel the pasión I feel for the languages AND Learn how to use it critically. Love your talk.

I had some ideas about effective teaching, but you made an amazing method because students want to talk, give their opinions and usually It doesn't happen in the classroom. Thank you for your idea, I am going to follow your steps and see what it happens.

Loved the dish and proofread book metaphors, so true! This is a great method, everybody should take inspiration from teaching this way, it's way more effective :)

Se nota que es el mejor profesor de ingles del mundo... Con la facilidad que habla y lo bien que habla.

This is only done by passionate teachers who do their job with love, just like you, professor! Thank you!!

I absolutely agree with the inclusion of a b.s. detctor for students. The emphasis on analyzing, questioning, and investigating is something that should be a bigger part of educating students to create a smarter society, ready to defend against a sea of flawed information surrounding the world. Plus upon analyzing information in English, students can have an easier time using English once they are trained in their expressions of thought and analysis.

This man is a freaking genius... Wish I could take this class

Amazing! estaba buscando algo para mejorar mis clases y encontré este video, me ha cambiado mi perspectiva de la enseñanza. Gracias :)

Hi! Greetings of the day!!! I've really enjoyed listening to you, Mr. Robert Guzman. I, myself, am in this Noble profession of teaching since 1984 and I've just now realized how similar our pattern of thinking and delivering is! The moment I started listening to the talk, I found out that I'm there with you. There are many more points to be discussed but, due to time constraint, I think you focused on some of the important relevant points on teaching a language. You're doing a GREAT job and I'm very PROUD of YOU, Mr. Guzman. Hats off to You.

This was an inspiring speech.Thank you.I can relate very much,I try to emphasize the same points in my classes, do something quite similar with my students,taking life experience and their interests as basis.Unfortunately,I'm not as successful in this field yet.But hearing you gives me hope to push on.)

No, thank you. I feel honor to have the opportunity to listen to you. I take with me a valuable lesson and great advise in my pursuit to teach English. Gracias Profesor

best teacher I ever seen....thank you professor for inspiring me to live my life better....

Just 1 minutes and I can say that I already love this man, 🤍🌎