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June 28, 2005
Workplace Issues - Do You Have A Favorite?
Hello again,
I can remember in middle school hating the teacher's pet. Do you know what I'm talking about? There was this one kid in class who always got to be the teacher's helper, got to run notes to the principle's office, and never seemed to get into trouble. He was the teacher's pet, and I thought it was the most unfair, unjust thing on earth.
I have a confession.
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Posted by msimmons at 01:34 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
June 27, 2005
Recommended Resources - Need to Lighten Up?
Hello everyone!
Do you ever feel the need to lighten up the mood in your classes?
Maybe you’ve noticed that many jokes that are common in your culture simply don’t translate to your classroom. (Haven't you ever tried to tell one that just falls flat?)
Cheer up! Check out this site for some jokes are the perfect for the ESL student . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 02:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
Can Your Students Teach?
Good morning!
I've heard from a few of you telling me that you appreciate my teaching ideas that help get shy students talking. Well, I have one tactic that I use a lot, but be warned--it won't work for everyone! (You know your classes and your students, so you'll have to determine if it will work for you.)
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Posted by msimmons at 01:54 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
June 14, 2005
Are You Connected?
Hello everyone!
Have you used the Internet in your classroom yet? If not, you should know that here are some simple things you can do to incorporate it into your teaching. Here are a few suggestions:
Listening: There are tons of sites that are especially designed for the ESL student. Your students can listen to poetry, short stories, radio programs or even music to hear other “voices” and practice their listening skills.
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Posted by msimmons at 12:23 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
June 09, 2005
All You Older Teachers Out There--Read This!
Hello everyone!
Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Thank you to Angela Homer for this terrific post. I couldn't have said it better myself.
'I was interested in your comments about older teachers as I went to South Korea to teach after retirement from the Ontario School system at the age of 59. I completed a TESOL course first as it came with a guarantee of a job. I soon found out that applying for jobs at that age was not easy. I wanted to teach Pre-School/Kindergarten age and was told by no less than three schools in Taiwan that they could not employ me because I "could not run fast enough to catch little children." I took matters into my own hands by doing as you suggested and posted resumes that really blew my own horn in terms of professional achievements, skills, love of children and parental appreciation of my teaching ability. Interestingly, the owner of the franchise of two of the schools which turned me down emailed me asking me to apply to one of his schools! However, I was offered the perfect job for me - designing and teaching an Immersion Pre-School program. My director was totally honest in terms of how much she could afford to pay me actually showing me the business cost breakdown and increased my salary as she was able to. Initially parents were a little uncertain of my ability to teach their children because of my age, but two years later many actually cried because I needed to leave due to family matters. The only problem the director had was coping with parental demands to place their child in my after-school class.
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Posted by msimmons at 07:04 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)
Workplace Issues - Do You Have A Plan?
Hello all,
Something happened to me last night that has become a frequent, yet unwelcome part of my life. It was about 3 a.m. and suddenly I shot up in bed, scared and sweating. In my dream, I had been older, still teaching for a living, but about to retire. I had already given notice at my job, and was looking forward to my golden years lazing on the beach. Then, as I opened my checkbook to look at my balance, I realized that I couldn't possibly retire. I simply hadn't saved enough over the years to quit working.
Ay!
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Posted by msimmons at 04:52 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Living on a Budget - The Hows and Whys
Dear ESL Teachers,
We all know that teachers need to live on a budget. The problem is that most of us try to keep a ‘running tab’ in our heads, and then call it a budget. Guess what? It doesn’t work!
If you want to get serious about making the most of your teacher’s salary, you’ll have to actually sit down and write it down. It takes a little planning to create a budget that you can actually stick to, but once you do, you’ll see those dollars stretching a lot farther than you ever imagined.
Here’s a quick guide to get you started . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 04:03 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (1)
June 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 05:58 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Q & A - June 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 05:09 AM | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
June 02, 2005
Teaching Spots - Japan
Sushi Anyone?
Hello everyone!
Are you are looking for a serious cultural experience? If so, you might want to give Japan a try. While it’s true that you won’t get to spend your free time on the beach, you will get to experience a culture so different than anything you’ve likely known, that the memories are sure to last a lifetime.
Japan has an intricate and complex culture, and the language schools are no exception. For example, if you teach in a tiny school, it’s quite possible that you will become good friends with your students. In addition you’ll have some input with your lesson plans and get to use a little creativity. On the other hand, if you accept . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 11:06 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
