Day Two

[thelibraniniquity]

The TEFL course started yesterday, with mostly orientation-type things to ease us in and allow the trainees to get to know each other. There are only six of us actually doing the course, which works out quite well; the whole thing is a little more personal and it's easier to get to know people. That said, everyone's lovely, even if one of the guys weirds me out a bit because he reminds me a lot of my brother.

Today we met the actual students we're going to be working with for the next two weeks. Seven showed up for the two hour class this morning, all with a complete variety of backgrounds and English language skills.

And joy of joys, I was the first trainee to teach a lesson to everyone. Despite a whole bunch of nerves and an almost overwhelmingly powerful flight response, I got up and walked everyone through some ice-breaking exercises, which laid the ground work for the next five lessons.

I told myself that if I got through these first two days, then I'd be okay for tackling the rest of the course. First day nerves and constructive criticism aside...

See icon :)

Comments

[wihluta.livejournal.com]

yay. that sounds like you had a good start! Having a small group is always good. Makes it all easier. :-)

GO YOU! :-)

[thelibraniniquity]

Yeah, we all agreed that it was better having a smaller group, not just for the increased one-on-one time with the tutors but also amongst ourselves; it's just generally less intimidating, which I for one appreciate! ;)

I've got a listening exercise to teach tomorrow, and already thinking about ways to get out of using the textbook, and making it easier for the students... yeah, I had that "holy crap I'm a teacher" moment earlier, lol!

[wihluta.livejournal.com]

Getting away from the textbook is always good! Even if the listening comes with the book, you often don't actually need it, I've found. The students like it much more if you use actual authentic material, even if it makes them work harder. --- listen to me, four months and I already sound like a teacher. LOL

I had that "holy crap I'm a teacher" moment earlier
hehe, yes I know that one. It won't be the only "holy crap" moment you have, believe me. But it's all totally worth it, even the bloody paperwork, 'cause the teaching is real fun!

[thelibraniniquity]

I'm typing up the transcript at the moment, and the plan at the moment is to give the students copies to follow while the cassette is playing, purely because this morning most of them struggled with comprehension without a written reference (whether it was on the whiteboard or in their notebooks) to go back to.

'cause the teaching is real fun!
I got that this morning watching the other trainees teach. Partly because I went first, all my lesson consisted of were activities designed to break the ice between the students, so this listening tomorrow is going to be my first proper go at teaching to them... and I'm actually excited about seeing whether I can learn from today and pull it off tomorrow!

*needs an English language icon*

[thelibraniniquity]

And before I forget - Slings and Arrows arrived today! Thank you so much!! :D

[wihluta.livejournal.com]

YAY! Good to know. Have fun! :-)

[lady-drace.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad to hear things are going well. :oD

[thelibraniniquity]

Hee, thanks! Things are going so well I'm fiddling with vids and fanmixes instead of prepping for tomorrow! ;)

*has an ironically fluffy G/B vid she may try and make in time for Valentine's*

[lady-drace.livejournal.com]

*squee*

[thelibraniniquity]

:D

[explodedpen.livejournal.com]

See, knew you'd be just shiny :D Let me know how everything goes with the rest of the course!

[thelibraniniquity]

I'm getting there :) I just have to keep remembering that I will make mistakes, just like everybody else, and it's one gigantic four week learning curve.

Let me know how everything goes with the rest of the course!
Will do! :)