Working Hard

Mmmm. I'm not sure about ESL teaching in Australia. I am enjoying the work - but like all jobs there is a down side. One of the things that I find a challenge is that the communication is rather scant, and I'm not as sure of myself in this environment.

We work from a series of ESL books, which I find rather demeaning for adult students, but I am required to use them. I am now co teaching - so I have the students for 3 days and another teacher has them for 2 days. She is a career primary teacher and has not taught overseas, and she likes the books.

One of the things that she did not know is that the Korean and Chinese students have already had a gutful of English grammar (which is a feature of the books). She was not aware that three of the students have been learning English (the Korean or Chinese way) for many years - in fact many of them have been learning for 10 years, and it is their spoken language skills that need help more.

In any case I have learned that I have some leeway in taking the class so will spend more time on activities for speaking next week.

Oh, and there's Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. Again some serious mis communication. I am aware that there is to be some activity re The Cup - if nothing else students and staff will be able to watch the race on one of the big screens and I heard there was to be some activity in relation to the cup. Heard? Yes, I was told that a staff member was putting up posters about it.

As of Thursday there were none. So I am in the dark about it - and so not sure that there will be anything planned.

Other new teachers have also spoken of the confusion/lack of communication.

We will see how life goes. At least I have had a whisper of two weeks holiday at Christmas time. Sounds good to me!!! But no work = no pay. Darn.

Orientation

Today should be interesting. After working for nearly two weeks at the college, I will today attend "orientation". I'm not sure exactly what will happen, but I have a host of questions which I expect will be answered.

Maybe I should change my title - as I am not regarded as an English teacher in Australia - just overseas. The reality is that I am an ESL teacher. English as a Second Language.

I'd not cut it in the "real" teaching world teaching English, though I'd probably manage. Clearly I'm not qualified other than for ESL.

I do find the ESL business rather odd, and I am pleased I have had the opportunity to see several sides of this industry. If I was younger I'd probably get more involved. I see lots of opportunities to make a difference with the industry.

For a start I do not like all the British or American text books. Some of the language does not make sense to me. And I know it is confusing for the students. Here they are in Australia, learning about things that do not happen in Australia.

I'd like to try to write some Australian material at some stage. What a task!!! Clearly it needs to be done. Oh, well, I'm not going to do it. Maybe a little.