Comments on: Is a good teacher worth good money? Part Two http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/tesol/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:05:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: S http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/tesol/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/#comment-1710 S Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:25:19 +0000 http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/general/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/#comment-1710 sandy - I think that it depends upon what kind of experience we're talking about. With experience of teaching a variety of ages and levels, experience on which the teacher reflects, and in which observation feedback, workshops & idea-sharing from supervisors & colleagues are regular and meaningful, then teachers who begin as "bad" can improve, quite possibly more than a "good" teacher who then spends 5 years teaching the same homogeneous level with no kind of reflection or professional development. Well, that's my 2 fen, anyway! sandy - I think that it depends upon what kind of experience we’re talking about.

With experience of teaching a variety of ages and levels, experience on which the teacher reflects, and in which observation feedback, workshops & idea-sharing from supervisors & colleagues are regular and meaningful, then teachers who begin as “bad” can improve, quite possibly more than a “good” teacher who then spends 5 years teaching the same homogeneous level with no kind of reflection or professional development.

Well, that’s my 2 fen, anyway!

]]> By: sandy http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/tesol/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/#comment-1705 sandy Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:06:50 +0000 http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/general/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/#comment-1705 The question is a very simple one, in my view. Does experience make you a better teacher or not? Clearly it does - but only if you are a good teacher to start with! Otherwise, the bad teacher will just get worse, or stagnate at best. The question is a very simple one, in my view. Does experience make you a better teacher or not? Clearly it does - but only if you are a good teacher to start with! Otherwise, the bad teacher will just get worse, or stagnate at best.

]]> By: S http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/tesol/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/#comment-1693 S Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:14:49 +0000 http://www.tefl.net/alexcase/general/is-a-good-teacher-worth-good-money-part-two/#comment-1693 Again, a very realistic, balanced look at the issue. To preview your next posting - I was 'forced' into a management position myself, and wasn't initially happier being a DoS than a teacher. In fact, almost every DoS I've ever met also claims that they'd be quite happy going back to being a regular, full-time, no-hassle teacher. The thing is, though... you can still work out ways to provide yourself with enough stimulating classes, providing in-service training for teachers is very rewarding, and, unless I were to move to a different country, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with the idea of moving back down the ladder & risking working under an incompetent DoS. I'm quite happy with my job now - it gets easier with time! Again, a very realistic, balanced look at the issue.

To preview your next posting - I was ‘forced’ into a management position myself, and wasn’t initially happier being a DoS than a teacher. In fact, almost every DoS I’ve ever met also claims that they’d be quite happy going back to being a regular, full-time, no-hassle teacher.

The thing is, though… you can still work out ways to provide yourself with enough stimulating classes, providing in-service training for teachers is very rewarding, and, unless I were to move to a different country, I’m not sure how comfortable I am with the idea of moving back down the ladder & risking working under an incompetent DoS. I’m quite happy with my job now - it gets easier with time!

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