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May 25, 2005
Q & A - Are There Age Limits for Teaching ESL?
Hello Readers,
There have been many questions asked on my blog about teaching ESL at an older age, and I’d like to take this opportunity to address them. Many came from experienced teachers looking for an experience teaching outside of the U.S, while others came from non-experienced “seniors” who were looking for a second career.
While I couldn’t find any concrete statistics on the number of older people teaching ESL, I can tell you from my experience that they are around. I can also tell you that it might be more difficult to get a good job—but definitely not impossible.
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Posted by msimmons at 11:58 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack (1)
May 24, 2005
Q & A - Do You Need A Degree?
Good morning all,
There is one question that comes up time and time again: do I need a degree to teach ESL?
Here's a question that I recently received:
"I am desperate for some help and advice! I am due to start an intensive TESOL course on June 13. I have been reading advertisements for teaching posts. They all seem to have one thing in common - one of the prerequisites for a teaching position is a 'degree'. I have an HND and several other certs, but no degree (didn't finish my dissertation). Is there anyway around this? I don't want to begin the course if I can't secure a position at the end of it. I have given up everything to persue my dream and now it looks as though I have hit the proverbial 'brick wall'! Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time."
I hate to give this answer, but it's really the only one that I can: it depends.
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Posted by msimmons at 12:23 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (1)
May 17, 2005
Lesson Planning - Do Your Students Use Prediction For Comprehension?
Hi everyone!
Here's a lesson that I use over and over again with great success!
We all know that being able to predict what comes next in a story is a major part of listening and comprehension when learning a foreign language. And unfortunately, this is what many ESL students seem to have the greatest trouble with. I use this great method to get my entire class involved in the process. But be aware! Even your shyest students will pipe in with this one! Start by . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 11:22 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (2)
May 11, 2005
May 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 06:23 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Q & A - May 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.
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Posted by msimmons at 06:18 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
May 08, 2005
Call For Comments About Greece
Good morning all,
I'm looking for anyone who has worked or is currently working in Greece to contribute comments. Tell us what it's like, how you found your job, the amount of your salary, and oh, how absolutely wonderful it is!
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Posted by msimmons at 02:29 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (2)
May 04, 2005
What's Your Job Description?
Last week, a student of mine--who is a university professor--asked me to proof-read a paper that he had written for publication. This isn't the first time one of my students has asked me to do extra work for them outside of class. In fact, this one particular class is full of professors, and all of them have to publish professionally in order to keep their jobs.
The problem is, they aren't an advanced class--only upper intermediate--and although they make a good effort at writing in English, their work takes a lot of effort to edit.
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Posted by msimmons at 08:23 PM | Comments (16) | TrackBack (0)
May 02, 2005
Do You Do Homework?
Hello everyone!
Today I'd like to talk about homework. This can be a touchy subject for some because people tend to either love it or hate it! But there is one thing that I know: students who are willing to do homework simply learn faster. But--at least in the area that I teach--not many of them are willing to do it. In fact, the one thing that I have learned is that if I assign homework, I can count on at least half of the students not showing up for the next class!
But really, how can anyone expect to learn another language by coming to class two times a week, and doing nothing in between?
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Posted by msimmons at 01:10 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
