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Erin has the every day blogging covered, so I will try and blog at least once a week. Sunday nights has worked so far.
I spent this week doing assorted training, and teaching. I observed
Tomorrow I get to start teaching my own classes. I’m glad I’ve had this practice with other students because now I have a better idea of how they react to different things, and I know what kid of English to expect out of the different levels. The teacher who I’m replacing, Toby, was pretty strict and got great reviews from all the managers, so I’ve got big shoes to fill. I know it will take me awhile to become as good of a teacher has him; I just hope I can be as strict as him. In our observations we saw allot of styles of teaching, and they all seemed effective but Toby’s classes seemed the furthest from getting out of hand, which is a plus. I’ve heard it’s very hard to get strict after being lax, so I want to go in there pretty stern.
I’m still sick. I think it was at its worst on Thursday or Friday, but it won’t go away. The weird sleep patterns can’t be helping, but going to bed late and sleeping in is the way most Teachers live in
Today Erin and I went and ate at a restaurant on our own for the first time, without any other people to order for us. It was at a place we’d been before and there were pictures on the menu, but it’s a step. Our goal is to be able to order Korean BBQ (Galbi) before our parents come to visit, Galbi is a little more confusing to order, but I think we can do it. My learning Korean is going very slowly, it took me a long time to get Hello and Thank You. Now I am working on giving directions to cab drivers. I know straight, left, stop, the area we live in and the name of the big intersection by our house. I think I could get home on my own if I had to… as long as we don’t have to make any right turns. The problem is getting the driver to understand why I’m trying to say. Nest I want to learn how to say excuse me and ‘I don’t speak Korean.’
3 comments:
Hey You two, It's so good to hear about your teaching adventures. Oh how I miss being in the classroom. I know it’s challenging to and a bit scary when it comes to keeping control of the students, but remember you have this incredible opportunity to make a difference in these children’s lives…quite a daunting responsibility, eh? But soon enough you will be more confident and find your own unique style, and you are both going to be great…I know…because I know you….. I found this website that has some great ideas and word of wisdom www.inspiringteachers.com
check out this particular article- I thought it had lots of food for thought - http://www.inspiringteachers.com/classroom_resources/articles/organization_profession/soul_of_a_teacher.html
The Classroom Resources tab also has lists of great tips -http://www.inspiringteachers.com/classroom_resources/tips/index.html
Just think about the people who have taught and influenced you in your life; the patience they showed and the encouragement they gave. Think about those whose styles you did not respect and appreciate and you will know what the right thing to do is. Remember the teachers in your life don’t always mean the ones in the classroom, they may have been coaches or parents, grandparents or a relative; it may have even been another child. For those whom you liked, ask what they might have done or how they might have handled it. For those you didn’t like, appreciate now that in that, they did teach you something…how not to teach !!! But remember, you will make mistakes too and as you know… it’s all part of learning. So be patient with yourselves and recognize you don’t have all the tools in your tool box quite yet to be “super-teacher ”. In your circle of new colleagues in Korea, you will be able to draw from their experiences and wisdom; but remember back here you have mentors you can ask questions of…Luc- Nancy or Dan B would be happy to listen and/or advise; Erin, I bet you too have contacts you can resource.. There are on line mentors on that website (above) and I am sure there are many more options available to you , so don’t be afraid to ask! Finally …..remember ..
"Education...is a painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning... by praise, but above all -- by example."
- John Ruskin
For Now, Good Night Love Ma B
(warning - this is a teasing comment!)
"I know it will take me awhile to become as good of a teacher has him; I just hope I can be as strict as him."
To teach english, one should know proper grammar:
"I know it will take me awhile to become as good of a teach as he; I just hope I can be as strict as he."
You use "he" instead of "him" because the full statement with verb would read "I just hope I can be as strict as he was." not "I just hope I can be as strict as him was."
/grammar nazi
Hope you two are adjusting well :D
Thanks for the words mom. I think it will take me awhile to get my own teaching strategy. Why aren't you guys ever on MSN?
"I know it will take me awhile to become as good a teacher as him." It makes sense to me. I'm not saying him was, I'm saying him. He's still a teacher in the present tense.... I'm confused. We don't get very technical with the grammar. If they remember to say "I like the pencil" rather than "I like pencil," we're doin pretty good.
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