I'm still working on consolidating my thoughts regarding the overall running of the teaching program here. But in the meantime, for anyone considering a placement teaching English here's some advice from a professional teacher.
1. Learn classroom management
It's important in every classroom situation. Even children who want to be in school are going to need you, as the teacher, to facilitate an environment that is conductive to learning. Children are going to talk, act out and misbehave. Classrooms will have a range of personalities, a diverse set of needs and a wide range of abilities. How you handle these things will be a big part of your success or failure. Hit up a book store or the library and learn about how to manage a classroom.
2. Don't make assumptions
Just because students can add, doesn't mean they have any conceptual understanding of either the numbers or the process of addition. Many students will have learned by rote memorisation, which is not the same as understanding what they're doing. Always take the time to check for understanding and don't just assume they know things. When necessary go back and teach the basics. (On that note...)
3. Teach the basics
It's fun to teach big things. It's feels good as a teacher and it's fun to plan. Working out how to break down and explain simple concepts is harder (though no less rewarding). Patterns, directions, shapes, colours, letter sounds (phonics) rather than just letter names, etc.. These things are all the building blocks of future learning.
4. Having students copy off the board is not learning.
Yes, it keeps students quiet and it's easy. But lists of words, copying definitions and rewriting stories is handwriting practice, not an effective way to learn. Do activities, get the students moving, think beyond the chalk board. Have conversations with the students so they can practice speaking, read to them so they can hear fluency. Remember, if the activity you're doing would bore you, it's boring them.
5. Link learning to their lives.
A project on the solar system is great, until you realise the students have no idea what a planet is. The kids probably know more than you think they do, with access to media and technology, but many things aren't a part of their everyday reality. Try to keep learning contextual to their lives to facilitate understanding.
6. Have a purpose to what you're teaching and start with the outcome.
The truth is in some cases no one will be looking over your shoulder ensuring what you're teaching is relevant or even useful. You could be left to plan everything yourself. Think about what they need to know. Then plan with the outcome in mind. Once you know the outcome you can structure the lessons to get there.
7. Teach, practice, review, re-teach and practice some more.
There's a reason teacher's teach things like addition over several weeks. Concepts take time to learn and time to master. Don't rush through and ensure full understanding before moving on. There are many hands-on ways to teach things, do different activities to keep students interested and reinforce ideas.
8. Take your role seriously.
You are not there to take pictures to post on Facebook, to cuddle children and be their new best friend or to fill their time with pointless games and songs. You are there to teach. While you may not be a professional teacher, you are acting in that role. Take it seriously. If you are travelling to drink and party, please don't volunteer. It's irresponsible and the students deserve more. I have some serious professional ethics questions regarding untrained volunteers teaching, but that's beside the point. If you're going to do it, at least do your best to do it well.
1. Learn classroom management
It's important in every classroom situation. Even children who want to be in school are going to need you, as the teacher, to facilitate an environment that is conductive to learning. Children are going to talk, act out and misbehave. Classrooms will have a range of personalities, a diverse set of needs and a wide range of abilities. How you handle these things will be a big part of your success or failure. Hit up a book store or the library and learn about how to manage a classroom.
2. Don't make assumptions
Just because students can add, doesn't mean they have any conceptual understanding of either the numbers or the process of addition. Many students will have learned by rote memorisation, which is not the same as understanding what they're doing. Always take the time to check for understanding and don't just assume they know things. When necessary go back and teach the basics. (On that note...)
3. Teach the basics
It's fun to teach big things. It's feels good as a teacher and it's fun to plan. Working out how to break down and explain simple concepts is harder (though no less rewarding). Patterns, directions, shapes, colours, letter sounds (phonics) rather than just letter names, etc.. These things are all the building blocks of future learning.
4. Having students copy off the board is not learning.
Yes, it keeps students quiet and it's easy. But lists of words, copying definitions and rewriting stories is handwriting practice, not an effective way to learn. Do activities, get the students moving, think beyond the chalk board. Have conversations with the students so they can practice speaking, read to them so they can hear fluency. Remember, if the activity you're doing would bore you, it's boring them.
5. Link learning to their lives.
A project on the solar system is great, until you realise the students have no idea what a planet is. The kids probably know more than you think they do, with access to media and technology, but many things aren't a part of their everyday reality. Try to keep learning contextual to their lives to facilitate understanding.
6. Have a purpose to what you're teaching and start with the outcome.
The truth is in some cases no one will be looking over your shoulder ensuring what you're teaching is relevant or even useful. You could be left to plan everything yourself. Think about what they need to know. Then plan with the outcome in mind. Once you know the outcome you can structure the lessons to get there.
7. Teach, practice, review, re-teach and practice some more.
There's a reason teacher's teach things like addition over several weeks. Concepts take time to learn and time to master. Don't rush through and ensure full understanding before moving on. There are many hands-on ways to teach things, do different activities to keep students interested and reinforce ideas.
8. Take your role seriously.
You are not there to take pictures to post on Facebook, to cuddle children and be their new best friend or to fill their time with pointless games and songs. You are there to teach. While you may not be a professional teacher, you are acting in that role. Take it seriously. If you are travelling to drink and party, please don't volunteer. It's irresponsible and the students deserve more. I have some serious professional ethics questions regarding untrained volunteers teaching, but that's beside the point. If you're going to do it, at least do your best to do it well.