The purpose of this thesis paper is to explore the elements of effective teaching. The main research questions that are dealt with regard how teachers can establish themselves as authentic authorities in the classroom and what strategies are conducive to effective teaching. The thesis paper aims to identify specific strategies and techniques that can be employed to increase teachers’ authority and provide a learning environment conducive to cooperative, on-task learning. This investigation will be in the form of a case study of an eighth grade English teacher at a secondary school in southern Sweden. The case study consists of two parts: an in-class observation of six English lessons forms the basis for a follow-up semi-structured interview. This thesis highlights the importance of teachers’ ability to establish referent and expert authority in their teaching role.