Qualities of a good teacher involve that he keep the class interested but that his material is relevant to the course. I think many teachers think a conversational language teacher can talk just about anything and never have to refer to any syntax, grammar or idiomatic form. Getting to understand student needs is cardinal to being able to teach them. Some exercises are needed when teaching. I would say that some exercises are one way of confirming what the participant knows.
If the teacher is going to talk about travel then he can pick a variety of destinations to talk about but he has to develop an outline regarding what information he wants the student to get from the discussion. He may initially refer to a reading that is going to be discussed. If the content is to be discussed than the appropriate questions can be associated. Teaching is not only about throwing content at the student.
He may then add life to the conversation by getting the student to go up to the board and present points that would favour travel to that destination based on what was discussed. This is how a forum could be started. So the teacher has to be dynamic and no when to alter an exercise or pick up from the class's attitude.
He has to be able to deal effectively with class issues and personality conflicts should they arise. Personally I do not to see myself as a policeman in the class and the student should not feel that he is being monitored as a culprit. I try to use the student's energy in a positive way and get him involved constructively. Once that person sees he is having a positive impact he will likely be happy to participate again.
