Support for ESL teachers thinking of going away to teach English in a new country is vital to helping a person make that big step into this grand new adventure. So who was there to help me? and how can I do my bit to help others?
Your first ESL class is always an important one. Even if you have a set lesson plan prepared for you by your school, giving your first ESL lesson can be a daunting task. Your first lesson makes a big impression on your students, establishes your teaching style, and sets the tone for the year.
Positive reinforcement quickly became the most preferred method of classroom management for ESL teachers, mainly because it works so well. But there are a variety of different teaching styles that stem from teachers’ backgrounds, personalities, and experiences.
Cell phone’s in Chinese universities can be a bit of an issue. No cell phones in class is usually the key rule in college, but cell phone usage in some Chinese universities can be quite rampant. Some students say they study so hard in middle school, once they take their college entrance exams and make it to university, it’s party time!
School variety is something I am used to, I was first informed I would be teaching at two schools in Daejeon the last day of my EPIK orientation. I was excited because I would have a split schedule and experience in a number of different school settings.
Your ESL classroom is a place where control can quickly be flipped, a teacher has to stay vigilant in making sure that this balance is not disturbed too much. We have brought you many articles about what you should be doing in your ESL class, but we haven’t covered what you should not do in your ESL class. This article explores the big no no’s every teacher should be aware of.
Contract renewal in Korea can be a daunting event as you won’t know if they want you for a second year until they ask. This is something I experienced recently as I came to the end of my first year with EPIK.
Keeping your cool as a teacher is something we all have to do. As teachers, we have all had those moments of complete frustration. You already have had a rough day, your students are having difficulty focusing, and you’re starting to lose your cool. At these points, it’s even more important to remember, stay calm and keep teaching on.