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August 30, 2005
Time to Begin Again
Hello everyone!
Well...it's back to school time. Most of us are already deep into our lesson plans, smelling the fresh pages of those new textbooks and getting to know our students. As I faced each of my new classes this week, I was struck by how it's so easy to determine what each of the students will turn out to be like. There are the typical over-achievers, the slackers, the ones who think they know more about English than the teacher, and of course, the class clowns.
Don't you just love them all?
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Posted by msimmons at 05:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
August 29, 2005
Teaching Spots - Terrazas, Spanish and Running of the Bulls
Hello everyone!
Are you looking for a teaching location that’s as wild as the wind, as unpredictable as it gets, and requires a certain “Pizzazz” just to get along? Then maybe you should take a look at Spain.
Madrid, the capitol of Spain, is one of the teaching hotspots, but most people who have been there agree that not just anyone will make it there. To be a successful ESL teacher in Madrid, you’ll have to . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 12:13 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)
August 24, 2005
Avoiding the Scams
Hello everyone!
Do you often think that the postings for jobs you see are too good to be true? Unfortunately, not everyone in the ESL business is on the up and up, and more and teachers are wondering how they can find a position in a foreign land without falling victim to one of the scams.
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Posted by msimmons at 07:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
August 23, 2005
Lesson Planning - Take Your Students Shopping!
Hello everyone!
Shopping anyone?
Teaching about American money can be as boring or exciting as you make it. Instead of just having your students memorize what coin has what value and then simply answer when asked, why not make it fun? And what better defines fun than a shopping trip? Here’s how it works . . .
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Posted by msimmons at 05:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
August 22, 2005
Workplace Issues - Students At What Cost?
Hello everyone!
Tell me if this sounds familiar.
You have a young student in your class who just isn't keeping up. You've worked with him overtime to help him, but quite simply, he just needs a slower paced class. You approach the administrator to let them know that the student needs to be moved to another class, but your request is ignored. You wait weeks, and when no action is taken you ask why. The answer? The school doesn't want to risk insulting, and then losing, the student.
Sigh.
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Posted by msimmons at 07:23 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
August 18, 2005
Single Teacher...With Kids?
Hello everyone!
How many of you dream of living in another country, but don't think you can because you have children?
After all, it’s common to hear about single ESL teachers traveling the globe and getting to experience all sorts of new cultures, tastes and lifestyles. But what if that single teacher has a kid?
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Posted by msimmons at 07:16 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
August 14, 2005
Make That Teacher's Salary Stretch!
Hello everyone!
Okay, so you won’t become a millionaire teaching ESL, but it is possible to stash a few of those dollars away! As with any type of employment, the secret it to learn how to live comfortably on your salary—or better yet, on less than. Here are a few tips to make sure that your savings account isn’t closed due to inactivity!
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Posted by msimmons at 07:10 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
August 09, 2005
Where Do You Find an ESL Job?
Hello everyone!
Thank you for all of your kind words this week.
Are you a new teacher, and trying to figure out where in the world to find a job?
Many new teachers are overwhelmed by the prospect of looking for jobs in other countries. And while it’s true that you will have to employ different techniques than if you were looking in your own country, the process really isn’t all that different. 1) Find a position that you’re interested in, 2) Tweak your resume to fit the requirements, 3) send it to them via their preferred method, and 4) follow up soon after.
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Posted by msimmons at 10:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (1)
Q & A - August 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 05:30 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
August 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 hereand thanks for visiting.
Thanks!
Michelle
Posted by msimmons at 05:27 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
August 02, 2005
Q & A - What Are The Differences In Teaching Certifications?
Good morning everyone!
Are you thinking about becoming certified? (Smart move!) If so, you may be confused by all the acronyms out there!
Have you ever wondered "What Are The Differences In Teaching Certifications?"
Here’s a list that will help you out with your certification plans.
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Posted by msimmons at 03:17 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack (1)
August 01, 2005
How Much Free Time Do You Have?
Good Monday morning everyone!
As I was going over this weekend's comments, I came across this one posted by Kenneth, and it raised some serious questions in my mind. (Hello Kenneth!)
"When I go to a new job, I'm afraid there's no time to sit in cafes drinking coffee and eating food because all my spare time is taken up preparing for my classes. If it's a year long course then it will take me one year to prepare, and providing I can repeat that course the following year, then I can go for coffee. However, that doesn't usually happen and therefore, I spend all my spare time, locked in my room, preparing for my next class and I have no time for dreaming about exotic places. I know, it is sad, but it is reality."
Continue reading "How Much Free Time Do You Have?"
Posted by msimmons at 05:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
