World Teachers' Day

World Teachers' Day

October 5 is World Teachers' Day. Find out which famous people want to say thank you to their school teachers for their success.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the article and do the exercises.

Preparation

Who shapes the person you are the most? Parents or other family members are probably at the top of the list for many people. But a close second place is very likely to go to a teacher. Some of the most influential and successful people in the world have a teacher in their childhood to thank for their success.

The teachers behind famous people

Can you imagine life without the personal computer? Well, without two of Bill Gates's high school teachers, that could be our world today. Gates's maths teacher, Fred Wright, asked him to push himself just a little bit harder. Maybe that's why the founder of Microsoft sometimes slept under his desk in the office instead of going home to relax after work. And his drama teacher, Anne Stephens, helped him discover a love of the spotlight when she made the sometimes withdrawn schoolboy the star of the school play. Gates thanked his teachers, saying, 'There's no way there would be a Microsoft without them doing what they did.'

And he's not the only one. Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, actress and TV producer, was inspired by her fourth grade (age 9–10) teacher, Mrs Duncan. Because of her, Oprah says, 'I felt I could take on the world. You did exactly what teachers are supposed to do. They create a spark for learning that lives with you from then on. It's why I have a talk show today.'

An adult you can trust

For some children, teachers are the only positively influential people in their lives. Antwone Fisher, a best-selling writer, grew up in foster homes, and didn't have many adults that he could trust. But a primary school teacher, Mrs Profitt, was the first adult he ever trusted. 'She spoke to all of us the same way – with respect. No one spoke to me that way before. I think that being with her for three years made all the difference.'

Celebrate teachers

There are thousands more stories like this, from famous people and ordinary people all across the world. That's why UNESCO celebrates teachers on 5 October every year. UNESCO wants us to remember that education is a basic human right and every child should have free education. UNESCO hopes to train 69 million new teachers by 2030 so that everyone can go to school, because, sadly, 264 million children in the world today are not in school because there aren't enough teachers. Those children are often in places where life is already very difficult because they live in poor areas or far away from cities and towns, or they are escaping war in their own countries.

A day to say 'Thank you'

So, if you have a teacher, you're one of the lucky ones. One day, you'll probably look back at your life, your successes, the dreams you've made come true or the difficult things you've survived. The chances are high that you'll find a teacher's words have helped you achieve these things. Perhaps you already know who that teacher will be. Why not find them and say thank you today on World Teachers' Day?

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

Download
Worksheet89.42 KB

Language level

Topics

Average: 4.6 (5 votes)
Do you need to improve your English?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are making great progress with their English level with our online courses.

Hello!

I liked your comment, because it is a clear example that in every moment of our lives there will be learning.

Submitted by Khin Myint Hlaing on Mon, 05/10/2020 - 14:19

Permalink
I appreciate all my teachers for having this rank as a Vice Principal of Education Degree College that I have never dreamt of. I always remember my teachers who are always think of me for my future Among them, the teacher I never forgot is my primary teacher who is the very first teacher. All my teachers gave me strength, guided and helped me. I want to say all my teachers ''Thank for your effort !"Thank.

Submitted by Min Htet Kaung on Sat, 12/09/2020 - 17:26

Permalink
The teacher I admire most is U Tin Htway. He taught us geometry in grade 8. Although he taught us the respective lessons, in leisure time, he told us many other experiences in his life. So we didn't get bored in his class and got a lot of knowledge from what he told us.
Profile picture for user OlaIELTS

Submitted by OlaIELTS on Sat, 06/06/2020 - 01:45

Permalink
The best teacher I've ever had was my mathematics teacher.

Submitted by lifelearner on Sun, 12/01/2020 - 11:48

Permalink
.well , my relationship with ,y teachers in school and college was great because I wan mannered and commited learner but I would speak about two teachers I had in my life whom were very influential on my life. The first one is my 7th grade Arabic teacher , who was very keen to boost the creativity of students and crat a spark of learning in a very intelligent and nice way, while at the same time was very strict and firm on disorderly student who affect other organized students. The other one was my college professor who encorge to be a life long learner and be a self independent learner.

Submitted by om mariam on Sun, 10/11/2019 - 17:55

Permalink
Thanks for any teacher who know his/her crucial role in their students life, those who realized they can make a difference and prepare good individuals, for those in teacher day I would say thank you very much you are our heroes.But in this day for any teacher who don’t like this job please find another one before you destroy someone future because simply if you want to be a good teacher you have to love your career and realize how importance it is.

Submitted by parisaach on Tue, 08/10/2019 - 07:22

Permalink
When I think about my school days, It seems it was a thousand years ago. Those days there weren't anyone who inspire me or have great influence in my life. My teachers just taught us the lessons that they should be, They don't spend extra time to analyse students characteristics or talents. Basically they teach all the students same thing without concerning their ability, but they don't behave all of us the same way. They always were nicer to good students, I mean the students who get better grades, and they sometimes punish the weaker students. I was so shy girl and I always lived in my dreams. I wanted to be a famous person and there were nobody who care about that. I don't mean I have mean or bad teachers , but I guess they all have enough on their plate which cause they don't care about what happen to the students. Maybe if I had a good teacher, I would be a different person now.

Hello popo1011

Your comment on International Women's Day was published and you can see my reply to your question there. If you have any more questions about this, please feel free to contact us again, but please tell us what page you are referring to.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Vanessa2811 on Wed, 13/02/2019 - 07:16

Permalink
Many teachers taught me from preschool to university. They were very good. but the most inspired teacher I think is my preschool teacher. When i was little, I still remember that she was very kind. She always took care of us. She taught us how to learn great songs, how to dance and reminded us to be good people in the future. At the time, my teacher instructed us to collect lots of leaves on the playground and those leaves was threaded and we used it to cook gruel. I'm 24 years old now. She is married with a guy and lives far from my home. I can't see her often. I always wish her best of luck and happiness.