ADVICE ON TEACHING
I know I'm a rookie, but I'm learning quickly what to do and what not to do in this whole teaching thing.
The main thing I've learned is that the students respond to you. As a teacher, you have to be passionate, you have to come into class excited, full of energy. If you do, the students will react. There are countless times where it's cold, rainy and absolutely miserable, and the students stroll in like zombies. I love having the ability to pump them up, boost their confidence, give them my energy, and have them leave my class speaking in English, smiling, and laughing. It's honestly the most rewarding job in the world. Teaching is like being on stage, which, as a shy girl, is the last place I ever wanted to be. But, it's fun taking initiative, being confident, being in control. I love it.
Here is some advice I've learned so far:
Come with bribes: They love candy, stickers, and just about anything you say "oooh and for a prize you have.." It doesn't matter if the prize is stupid...it's a prize, and they'll honestly be happy with rocks if they're the prizes. I've done candy, U.S.-specific things, certificates for most creative responses, awards for the best participator/best actor, etc. You just really have to emphasize the prize, and they'll be like "ooooh trop cool" guaranteed! :D
Come MORE THAN prepared. I learned quickly to be Mary Poppins. Always have ten back-up plans. Sometimes your grand ideas won't work. Each kid is different. Each class has a different dynamic. Be flexible. It makes things more interesting.
Ask for advice. My mom is a teacher as well, so I go to her for advice. I also talk to the other teachers in the lounge. I get to know each student by name, their story, etc. I am not the perfect teacher...nobody is. I take any advice I can get. I love hearing ideas.
Be proud of your culture. I love sharing "American" things with my students. It's interesting for them, and fun for me. I don't force things down their throats. My main goal is to get them excited about English and interested in the United States. The best feeling is having kids VOLUNTARILY making every effort to come to class, and getting so excited, hearing them speak English in the hallways after the lesson. It makes me really happy!
Establish yourself. Don't be too friendly, but don't be a snob. You have authority. My students call me Miss Emily, not Madame, not Emily. :P
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Life is a Roller Coaster, Just Gotta Ride It! I've been learning teaching is a roller coaster. EVERY day is different. Some days are days where you are on such a high of life, where you feel you reach your students, where you feel so so loved by students, other faculty, parents, friends and you feel like you're definitely doing what you're meant to be doing! Other days, it's a triple glass of wine after work day, days where your head is splitting like you can't imagine, you have no patience with people, the slightest sassy comment from a student will make you snap... days where you want to throw people out the window! Haha. But, that's life! I honestly love waking up each morning knowing that each day is different in some way!
The main thing I've learned is that the students respond to you. As a teacher, you have to be passionate, you have to come into class excited, full of energy. If you do, the students will react. There are countless times where it's cold, rainy and absolutely miserable, and the students stroll in like zombies. I love having the ability to pump them up, boost their confidence, give them my energy, and have them leave my class speaking in English, smiling, and laughing. It's honestly the most rewarding job in the world. Teaching is like being on stage, which, as a shy girl, is the last place I ever wanted to be. But, it's fun taking initiative, being confident, being in control. I love it.
Here is some advice I've learned so far:
Come with bribes: They love candy, stickers, and just about anything you say "oooh and for a prize you have.." It doesn't matter if the prize is stupid...it's a prize, and they'll honestly be happy with rocks if they're the prizes. I've done candy, U.S.-specific things, certificates for most creative responses, awards for the best participator/best actor, etc. You just really have to emphasize the prize, and they'll be like "ooooh trop cool" guaranteed! :D
Come MORE THAN prepared. I learned quickly to be Mary Poppins. Always have ten back-up plans. Sometimes your grand ideas won't work. Each kid is different. Each class has a different dynamic. Be flexible. It makes things more interesting.
Ask for advice. My mom is a teacher as well, so I go to her for advice. I also talk to the other teachers in the lounge. I get to know each student by name, their story, etc. I am not the perfect teacher...nobody is. I take any advice I can get. I love hearing ideas.
Be proud of your culture. I love sharing "American" things with my students. It's interesting for them, and fun for me. I don't force things down their throats. My main goal is to get them excited about English and interested in the United States. The best feeling is having kids VOLUNTARILY making every effort to come to class, and getting so excited, hearing them speak English in the hallways after the lesson. It makes me really happy!
Establish yourself. Don't be too friendly, but don't be a snob. You have authority. My students call me Miss Emily, not Madame, not Emily. :P
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is a Roller Coaster, Just Gotta Ride It! I've been learning teaching is a roller coaster. EVERY day is different. Some days are days where you are on such a high of life, where you feel you reach your students, where you feel so so loved by students, other faculty, parents, friends and you feel like you're definitely doing what you're meant to be doing! Other days, it's a triple glass of wine after work day, days where your head is splitting like you can't imagine, you have no patience with people, the slightest sassy comment from a student will make you snap... days where you want to throw people out the window! Haha. But, that's life! I honestly love waking up each morning knowing that each day is different in some way!