teacher-centered
|teach-er-cen-tered|
🇺🇸
/ˈtiːtʃərˌsɛntərd/
🇬🇧
/ˈtiːtʃəˌsɛntəd/
teacher at center of instruction
Etymology
'teacher-centered' originates from Modern English, specifically the words 'teacher' and 'centered', where 'teacher' meant 'one who teaches' and 'centered' meant 'placed at the center'.
'teacher' comes from Old English 'tǣċere' (from the verb 'tǣċan', 'to teach'), while 'centered' is formed from 'center' (from Latin 'centrum' via Old French/Middle English 'centre') plus the past-participial/adjectival suffix '-ed'; the compound arose in modern educational discourse in the 20th century.
Initially it literally combined 'teacher' + 'centered' meaning 'having the teacher at the center'; over time it became a technical pedagogical label contrasting with 'student-centered' approaches.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
describing an instructional approach in which the teacher is the primary authority and decision-maker, delivering content and controlling classroom activities rather than students directing their own learning.
The workshop criticized teacher-centered methods for limiting student engagement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/06 00:10