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April 27, 2005
How Important Is Confidence?
I received a question from Kalenga last week, and it got me thinking. First of all, here's the comment:
"I am about to finish my studies, but being an african, and having studied in africa, I really don't think I will be able to get a job by visiting ESl. It seems that americans and other people from developed countries have the chance to ge jobs in this modern world. How best can you help me gain confidence that I will be able to get a job?"
Now, is it true that many teaching jobs are given to Americans and Canadians? Yep. Does that mean it's impossible to get a job if you didn't happen to be born in one of those countries? Nope.
Continue reading "How Important Is Confidence?"
Posted by msimmons at 12:16 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
April 22, 2005
Q & A - Are You Ever Too Old To Teach ESL?
Hello all,
One of the most common questions I've received in the question and answer section of this blog are those about age. People want to know if it's possible to teach at an...um, advanced age.
My response? Well, I guess it depends.
It's true that if an older lady or gentleman showed up for an interview in a beach town, they may be passed over for a teacher who would fit into the atmosphere a little better. On the other hand, if a school was dedicated to teaching its students the best that they could, and had a choice between a freshly certified twenty-year-old, and an experienced fifty-year-old who had dozens of raving recommendations, my vote would be for the older candidate.
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Posted by msimmons at 10:04 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (1)
April 21, 2005
Wow! You guys really are reading this!
Hello everyone!
I was thrilled to see all of the responses to our survey about this blog and the newsletter. Thank you for all of your kind comments--I'll be getting to all of them soon and post them for everyone to see.
One comment that stuck out to me was this (I'm sorry; I didn't get a name because it wasn't signed.)
"A serious suggestion that I consider to be of great importance in ESL around the world would be to bring the ethical responsibilities of the educational professional to the attention of prospective teachers. Your presentation in particular is going to appeal to the hedonist in us all, so a reminder of the professional commitment necessary to prevent the EFL / ESL industry (from) becoming more exploitative might be appropriate. This applies more and more the further job opportunities get away from our strict and stressful home countries ... There is often no idea of standards of English or professional responsibility once away from Europe and America. The poor peoples of the world need good, honest English teachers who care about the progress of students and their communities as much as their own income and lifestyle."
Continue reading "Wow! You guys really are reading this!"
Posted by msimmons at 12:38 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
April 18, 2005
Q & A - April 2005 ESL Instruct
Thanks for visiting the Question and Answer section of ESL Instruct.
Please feel free to leave your questions on teaching, professional development, job hunting or any other subjects here.
Continue reading "Q & A - April 2005 ESL Instruct"
Posted by msimmons at 03:27 AM | Comments (32) | TrackBack (0)
April 15, 2005
April 2005 ESL Instruct Feedback and Comments
Thanks for visiting my site! I'd like to hear your comments and feedback on the ESL Instruct newsletter. Please let me know what you think here and thanks for visiting.
Thanks!
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 08:55 PM | Comments (38) | TrackBack (0)
April 13, 2005
Tips & Tricks - Getting Shy Students To Speak!
Friends,
Have you ever had one of those classes when it seems that silence is the rule of the day? Or maybe you just have a class that is full of shy students, and some days you feel as if you are pulling teeth just to get them to speak!
You know how it goes:
"So, Josie, How was your day today?" "Fine." "Tell me what you did in the morning." "Ate breakfast." "Okay, how about this afternoon?" "Ate lunch." "Did you eat anything interesting?" "No."
See what I mean? Luckily, there are . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 01:30 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (1)
April 08, 2005
Workplace Issues - Debating in the ESL Classroom: Let Me Explain . . .
Hello readers,
A few of you weighed in recently on the issue of debates in the ESL classroom, and boy do your opinions differ! It all stemmed from my observation last week that I was having a difficult time hearing some of the cruel things that my students were saying about the U.S. Some of you responded by calling me prejudice (what?), and others told me to keep silent on hot issues and not to allow my students to debate.
But I don't agree. (Especially with you, Kenneth! I AM a teacher and I'm definitely NOT a tease!)
And my students love it, too. I am a . . .
Here's my take on the situation. Debates are a huge part of my teaching, and I routinely encourage them in my classes. In fact, I like to pit the men against the women in classical debates about roles in various countries, or bring up a touchy subject and watch the sparks fly.
Continue reading "Workplace Issues - Debating in the ESL Classroom: Let Me Explain . . ."
Posted by msimmons at 12:03 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)
April 02, 2005
Workplace Issues - Are You Struggling With This, Too?
Hello everyone,
Boy, do I feel like a heel! Your comments about the student who comes to visit me were nothing like I expected! It seems that everyone is light-years of me on this subject. It never even occurred to me that this guy wanted more than just to practice his English and develop a friendship--but some of you saw other motives.
Did I mention that I'm blonde?
Thanks for all of your comments. You will be happy to know that . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 02:58 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
