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What is the difference between a teacher and an instructor?

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Question added by Ghada Sameer , Project Manager and media executive , CQA
Date Posted: 2014/03/16
anayat bukhari
by anayat bukhari , Researcher, English Content Writer, Publisher , Noor Foundation

Teacher and Instructor are two different words and are used for two different type of people. Sometimes both are confused together which becomes a hurdle in conveying proper information.

Any how there are three big differences between the two words:

TEACHER                                                                                INSTRUCTOR

1. Mostly deals with theoretical work of a subject          1. Mostly deals with the practical work of a 

 and teaches what to do?                                                    subject and tells how to do?

2. Is an educator and is supposed to groom his          2. Is a coach and is supposed to tell about the 

students in all the aspects.                                                subject he is appointed for.

3. Normally he has a permanent position with a          3. Appointed for a special task e.g, computer, a

variety of duties and subjects in a school or college.   game, vocational trade etc.

 

In simple words Teacher is a broader version of Instructor. An Instructor can be a teacher but to call a teacher with the word instructor is considered inapropriate.

Nicholas Poshayi
by Nicholas Poshayi , Teacher/Librarian/Academic Teacher , Brooke Bond School

A teacher takes you the whole way through,he monitors,evaluates and ensures all is done properly and perfectly.He is an all rounder and is polished in what he teaches on.An instructor is task oriented and is not as broad based in approach as a teacher.

Ahmed Gendy
by Ahmed Gendy , English Senior Inspector , Ministry of Education (MoE)

From my point of view , Teaching is a message ,not a job, and it is permanent while an instructor isn't permanent.Why do we say English teacher ,but we say diving instructor.A diving instructor won't last forever, and he has a certain job.If we say an english instructor , it means that isn't permanent either.Also , teaching means a fixed setting andcertain discipline while giving instructions can just be by a letter or an e mail for instance. .

Shahul  Hameed Mohammad
by Shahul Hameed Mohammad , Human Resources Generalist (HR Generalist) , S A CO

The word ‘teacher’ is used in the sense of ‘trainer’ or ‘educator’. On the other hand, the word ‘instructor’ is used in the sense of ‘coach’. This is the main difference between the two words.

A coach normally instructs the players or the trainees, while conducting training sessions. That is why the word ‘instructor’ is more suitable to indicate a coach. On the other hand, a teacher is one who teaches or trains by giving information about the subject. In other words, a coach is a teacher too in some ways. This is due to the fact that he teaches the basics of the subject before coaching the students or the players.

Instruction deals with the practical aspects of a subject or an art. On the other hand, teaching deals with the theoretical aspects of a subject or an art. This is an important difference between teacher and instructor. A teacher, on the other hand, throws sufficient light on the ‘what to do’ aspects of a subject or an art. On the other hand, an instructor throws more light on the ‘how to do’ aspects of a subject or an art

A teacher is someone who tries to enlarge your knowledge in a certain field as for an instructor,he gives you specific guidelines of what to do.

Michael Slaughter
by Michael Slaughter , E9, Master Gunnery Sergeant , United States Armed Forces, US Marine Corps

In my experiences as a teacher and as an instructor, the teacher has a longer time period in which to teach from cradle to grave an overarching understanding of a topic or area.  The instructor tends to be more a trade/vocational type, in which a quicker teach and mastery is sought.

shehzad khan
by shehzad khan , Technology Enhanced Learning Systems Manager , University of Reading

Instructors show you how its done. A teacher will teach you to criticise how it is done...

Muhammad Farooq
by Muhammad Farooq , Science Teacher , HIGH School Virk

Instructor means who just delivers the lecture and give you instructions to do a particular task while a TEACHER is a person who not only teaches you but also reforms you.

Heinz Jurgen Van Zweel
by Heinz Jurgen Van Zweel , Dealer Auditor , BMW South Africa

Teacher is more "involved" through the education process, would monitor and assist.

Instructor would teach and expect you to ask if needed help

Mark Denn Zequerra
by Mark Denn Zequerra , Teacher and Administrative Assistant/Coordinator , International Philippine School in Jeddah

The word Teacher is a whole new different story than an instructor. An instructor may be able to teach but dpesn't go beyond its scope while a teacher provides second home for his/her student. It won't be noble as what we say it is if it wasn't for the "patience and love" that they give. Love is spelled as T-I-M-E, a four letter word that most parents miss all the time in which a "Teacher" provides.     

Fredy Makram Labib
by Fredy Makram Labib , R&D manager , Universal for home appliances

similar to the differences between the manager and the leader but in accademic vision

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