last night i taught my first two classes! i had to commute to another school in a different city, so someone helped me get on the right bus and show me where to get off... as if i'll ever remember next time! it was about a 40 minute ride. i tried to memorize a few of the buildings right before the stop--which is a lot harder when most everything is in chinese characters!
my co-teacher for the night, amanda, was wonderful. i've been told that the key to a successful class is getting on your co-teacher's good side! the co-teachers are native taiwanese who speak english, and they meet with the students twice a week and teach them all of the phonics and grammar (good thing--native english speakers don't know how to explain that stuff!), and they do all of the written tests and grade homework. it's important to work as a team because they do all of the discipline and help keep things quiet when you are talking. anyway, amanda was great; a little firecracker of a woman with near-perfect english. i have her a dove chocolate while we were preparing class, which doesn't make me a (co)teacher's pet; i just know that a little chocolate can go a long way! (right maria?)
the first class was 12 students who were probably between the ages of 11-13. amanda warned me that they were a tough crowd. i agree--but that's not a great age for kids anywhere! i was still able to get a few laughs and a decent amount of participation in the games and activities. i don't blame them for their surliness--after spending all day long in school, would you really want to go to a 2-hour english class?
the later class was a kindergarten class... as soon as i walked in the room, 12 little black-topped heads turned in my direction before the class erupted in giggles and eager murmurs, "HELLO! HELLO TEACHER! HELLO BEAUTIFUL TEACHER!" needless to say, i had a blast. they laugh at absolutely everything. i will have several kindergarten classes and i know they'll be my favorite. i know every class will get easier, i just need to start feeling comfortable with the flow of the "script" that we are given. for example, when we read a story out of their reading books, i'm supposed to say "Put your fingers on the words! I say English, you say English and Chinese, okay?" (they all shout "OKAY!") and off we go. it's unvelievable how much they memorize. and it's incredible to watch a 6-year old writing Chinese characters!
jocelyn! thank you for the stickers! the kids (even the older ones) were thrilled! they actually get several stickers during the class--for winning games and answering questions correctly--which they collect and turn in later for prizes. but mine were better than those--new and different, i guess, even though they can't turn them in for points.
i have a long day of training and observing ahead of me, and reeeeally want to find some coffee first... even if it's just from the "McCafe!"
my co-teacher for the night, amanda, was wonderful. i've been told that the key to a successful class is getting on your co-teacher's good side! the co-teachers are native taiwanese who speak english, and they meet with the students twice a week and teach them all of the phonics and grammar (good thing--native english speakers don't know how to explain that stuff!), and they do all of the written tests and grade homework. it's important to work as a team because they do all of the discipline and help keep things quiet when you are talking. anyway, amanda was great; a little firecracker of a woman with near-perfect english. i have her a dove chocolate while we were preparing class, which doesn't make me a (co)teacher's pet; i just know that a little chocolate can go a long way! (right maria?)
the first class was 12 students who were probably between the ages of 11-13. amanda warned me that they were a tough crowd. i agree--but that's not a great age for kids anywhere! i was still able to get a few laughs and a decent amount of participation in the games and activities. i don't blame them for their surliness--after spending all day long in school, would you really want to go to a 2-hour english class?
the later class was a kindergarten class... as soon as i walked in the room, 12 little black-topped heads turned in my direction before the class erupted in giggles and eager murmurs, "HELLO! HELLO TEACHER! HELLO BEAUTIFUL TEACHER!" needless to say, i had a blast. they laugh at absolutely everything. i will have several kindergarten classes and i know they'll be my favorite. i know every class will get easier, i just need to start feeling comfortable with the flow of the "script" that we are given. for example, when we read a story out of their reading books, i'm supposed to say "Put your fingers on the words! I say English, you say English and Chinese, okay?" (they all shout "OKAY!") and off we go. it's unvelievable how much they memorize. and it's incredible to watch a 6-year old writing Chinese characters!
jocelyn! thank you for the stickers! the kids (even the older ones) were thrilled! they actually get several stickers during the class--for winning games and answering questions correctly--which they collect and turn in later for prizes. but mine were better than those--new and different, i guess, even though they can't turn them in for points.
i have a long day of training and observing ahead of me, and reeeeally want to find some coffee first... even if it's just from the "McCafe!"
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