New teacher, new company, unexpected issues.
Posted: 12 Sep 2013, 19:37
Hi Lucy,
I recently finished my CELTA in Canada and am starting with a new company who does corporate ESL. I've had some small experience teaching in the past, but this will be my first "real" teaching experience. I have been given 4 different classes ranging from beginner to advanced, with the class sizes ranging from 1 to 5 people. The company stresses the fact that class time is for oral practice, and that grammar and writing is something that the students should do at home. As well, there are specific topics that the classes need to cover in a certain amount of time. I realize that CELTA is certainly not a universal way to teach English and that as a teacher there should always be room to expand upon what you think is right in terms of teaching styles. What I'm beginning to realize, however, is that I disagree with many methodological things in this course. I've been criticized that my lessons have too much "structure", that the students feel like they are too much in a classroom setting and that grammar structures are taught too directly. She wants more of a discussion atmosphere where students practice specific grammar topics orally but are not introduced to it formally during class (she doesn't want me to ever again write down things like "future continuous" on the board). Also, the director and I disagree on things like vocabulary and how much time it takes to teach it and even how to teach it. Most of my past experiences have mainly been in school settings so I'm unsure how things work in the corporate world. My question,therefore, is this: does it makes sense to try my best and mimic the teaching model that they want and try to do things their way despite everything that I have been taught, or should I just try and get out of there? Furthermore, is ESL teaching in part really a constant battle between what you think is right and what your boss thinks is right in terms of methodology? If so, how can you find a balance?
Thanks for your help and insight.
I recently finished my CELTA in Canada and am starting with a new company who does corporate ESL. I've had some small experience teaching in the past, but this will be my first "real" teaching experience. I have been given 4 different classes ranging from beginner to advanced, with the class sizes ranging from 1 to 5 people. The company stresses the fact that class time is for oral practice, and that grammar and writing is something that the students should do at home. As well, there are specific topics that the classes need to cover in a certain amount of time. I realize that CELTA is certainly not a universal way to teach English and that as a teacher there should always be room to expand upon what you think is right in terms of teaching styles. What I'm beginning to realize, however, is that I disagree with many methodological things in this course. I've been criticized that my lessons have too much "structure", that the students feel like they are too much in a classroom setting and that grammar structures are taught too directly. She wants more of a discussion atmosphere where students practice specific grammar topics orally but are not introduced to it formally during class (she doesn't want me to ever again write down things like "future continuous" on the board). Also, the director and I disagree on things like vocabulary and how much time it takes to teach it and even how to teach it. Most of my past experiences have mainly been in school settings so I'm unsure how things work in the corporate world. My question,therefore, is this: does it makes sense to try my best and mimic the teaching model that they want and try to do things their way despite everything that I have been taught, or should I just try and get out of there? Furthermore, is ESL teaching in part really a constant battle between what you think is right and what your boss thinks is right in terms of methodology? If so, how can you find a balance?
Thanks for your help and insight.