Teaching English
Thanks for posting. Don't stop doing it, since it's a fantastic way to exchange opinions, ideas and stimulate the use of English out of the classroom.
Let's go down to business. Most of you are already teaching. Please, mention the most difficult aspects of the teaching activity. Mind you that by aspects we mean linguistic, behavioral, environmental, or any other aspect that you consider should be changed in order to get the best from your students. What can we do to change these aspects? Read your classmates' posts and suggest them solutions or speak from your own experience or intuition. Best regards from your teacher, Marcela.
Good idea! interchange experiences could be an exelent way to improve our approach to teaching.
ReplyDeleteThis year I am having a better experience than the last year.
In my first practice I faced a dreadful behavior from the students. They were in "4º medio" and they belonged to a high-medium class.
The worst was their nonexistent interest in the subject. All that they wanted was to have all kind of sexual experiences in front of the teacher. Meanwhile a couple practice something others students put the lid on, placeing themselves between the teacher and the couple.
I think the teacher knew about that, but it is possible she didn't.
This year I'm having a good experience into the classroom. I'm in a school in the middle of La Pintana and those student are completely dfferent. They are very interested in their studies and they are very respectfull.
Bye
René.
In my own outlook, our cumbersome task is related about how to interact with the students of the awkward stage (seventh and/or eight grade in elementary, and freshman and/or sophomores in high schools).
ReplyDeleteThey are worried for sex (to get it more than to do that carefully), playing games and losing their energy in silly things.
As a global culture of young people, in their different "urban cultures"; they hate reading, and that is the most important fact for they never react well at proper levels of grammar and vocabulary, even orally; and most of them never respect authority in teachers.
They are no worried of their environment, due to they are not worried for anything but themselves.
Honestly.
Fernando.
In my case I think that one of the most difficult aspect of the teaching process is create the lesson plans considering all the aspect of the class. I mean, we can't create a standar activity, but, what'll happen with the students that have problems with comprehension? or those who can't learn at the same rythm of the rest of his classmates? And That's the main point I think.
ReplyDeleteI propose to create new lesson plans every year, and not based on the old ones as every teacher use to do. Comments or any quote that you want to make, please feel confortable.
Regards
/Juan
Maybe to plan the lessons, I mean EVERYDAY LESSONS is quite difficult, so, Juan,all of as have an enormous task in the future. I recomend to learn to do it.
ReplyDeletewell, in my case, I think I am in a kind of educational paradise LOl, I work with two grades 5th and 6th grade and it is a girls school. I realized because of this fact, that there is a big difference between that kind of school compared to a mixed school obviosly because girls are different and because in this school particularly they know who is the boss and respect all teachers, at least in grades I work with.
ReplyDeletebut isn't all just perfect, there is a bad thing about all this, and it's that teachers work based on books and girls usually get very bored with this metodology. so now I realized that in my profesional future I'll try not to fall in rutine and try to make my classes as entertainment and full of interesting content as I Can.
I think when a teacher teach something and the students don`t pay atention in the class, the teacher has to do something new or something fun (like a play).
ReplyDeleteNicole nLange
Um...when I was doing practice 1 the only thing that was "kind of" a problem could be the energy that 4 grade elementary students have, I mean they came to the classroom with all that energy of the break playing hide and seek or football, etc. Teachers should be able to get that energy and make the students use it on classroom activities. My guide teacher, who was also my teacher when I went to the school, is always doing really interesting activities, where he can conver the curriculum contents and also get the attention of the children.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any problem to improve my own way of teaching but I always try to make an "easy-to-bear" class, just giving the enough information and activities, and trying not to overload the minds of the students, one step at a time.
I will have to figure out how to teach teenagers, cuz the only experience I have is with kids.
Patricio Castro E
Hi!! Everybody
ReplyDeleteWell about my experience like a teacher I can say that, this year has been grateful because it is my first time teaching in a classroom. When I was doing my practicum 1 I just helped to the lead teacher checking test, and if anyone did not understand something I helped when they needed. In practicum 2 my lead teacher has been a good teacher with me because she likes that I learn and she is allowing me work with the students like a teacher not but a college students and I can make classes. The activities and classes that I made I had not to have any problem because the students listen to me and they participate in every activities that I made, my classes are implicit in the beginning and the middle are explicit I try to interact with them all the time I feel comfortable and safe in fact I make a performance in front of the class like an actress it is funny, because I am so shy when I have to do something in front of the class, actually I made 3 classes since I began to do my practicum 2 and I feel so thankful and I realize that I love it this career because I enjoy it. On the other hand I know that this career is difficult and maybe I am rushing too fast but I prefer to feel like this, now that, I am so interesting in finish soon the college. Also, maybe I never had to have a bad experience so for that reason I do not feel disappointed yet like other and I hope never feel that.
VERONICA VALENZUELA
Hi everyone
ReplyDeleteI think the most dificult issue to face inside a classrom it is maintain the students' attention, and encouraged them to participate, let me introduce An american Teacher who won a prize of "the teacher of the year". you can watch it on youtube linking "Ron Clark, the triumph," there is plennty of material about his way of teaching. the main message is believe in children, as themselves.
best regards
Carlos Contreras Q.
Hi everybody!
ReplyDeleteAs some of you know, I was working in a school as a teacher. From that experience I can take some conclusions that I would like to share with you.
I think that one of the most complex aspects in education nowadays is how to catch the student’s attention.
This is a very difficult aspect to deal with, because students are used to use internet, blogs, chats, mp3 and all the technology that the world offers to us.
For this reason they get easily bored seeing a teacher in front of a classroom with a whiteboard and if they are “lucky” with a radio to hear a listening.
That’s why I think it is very important to manage and to use all the technology that we can.
During my practical, I have noticed that teachers have many resources to use as TV, notebooks, data show, etc, but anyway, they don’t use them, because it’s easier to make the class, as they always have done it.
If we decided to study to be an English teacher, we can not allow us of being lazy with our profession, we have to look for new strategies all the time, it’s not so difficult if we dedicated time to what we want to be; Good teachers.
Paula.
Hi !!!
ReplyDeleteWell this topic is very interesting because it is really difficult to manage this kind of "animals", because they really look like monkeys, no matter the age jajaja. They are very disrespectful with the teachers and it's very complicated to call their attention. They are always bored and they don't care about what the teacher says.
So be prepared my dear classmates this is a war jajaja.
For that reason is very important the motivation that we have to teach otherwise we are lost.
Regards !!
Elizabeth Tello
I think that one of the most difficult aspect of teaching activity is confronted classrooms with more 45 students. It is complicated to try to teach so many students, because it is difficult to manage them, and they pay attention in class, the result is that not all students learn.
ReplyDeleteOther controversial aspect is the difference of english level that students have it, what can we do to our students have the same english level? it is complicated to realize that our students don`t understand anything.
JIMENA SAA
in my case the main problem is the environment..., I mean, most of the students I teach ( in practice) are begining puberty so their hormons are like crazy their emotion going to up and down, they don't want to learn about anything.
ReplyDeleteI been thinking more interactive activities where thay speak and listen more englis, and no the problem it is not the hormons; however, the problem is that they are afraid to speak in front of the class, and I think if they are able to yell each other among all the class, why they are not able to speak in front of them, but I know why, it is becouse tehy don't respect as classmate most of them don't know the word respect, and that causes a terrble environment to learn.
marcela flores beytia
I believe that exist several factors which make difficult to teach an activity in a classroom; first, in my experience the number of students per classroom. I consider that to be a successful activity should have maximum 20 students per class,because in that way is easier to attract the attention of students.
ReplyDeleteAnother factor is the discipline; I think it's one of the most difficult barriers to a teacher, especially when there are many students in a classroom.
Now, In regard to education, also considered it difficult for students to show a total interest when there are many who are not interested in or simply do not understand English language,but here is where the teacher must have the ability to motivate students by using all the resources needed to encourage them to learn this second language.
Finally, I think as a teacher must be prepared not only to fulfill the role of teacher, but also a father, mother, psychologist, counselor etc. It is an arduous task that awaits us partners, and I think most of us alreary have lived and those who do not prepare, it's a nice experience.
Hi Everyone!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I think this is a great opportunity to talk about our own experiences in the schools we are in practice, or working. In my case, I am working since this year in an elementary school, and it has been the most important and difficult challenge in my life, because I arrived to one school in which there is not discipline almost, and the students are very complicated and have revolting habits, so as you can realize, it was shocking at the beginning to me, actually I just wanted to cry and run away to anywhere far from there.
Anyway, teacher's jobs are complex, and require dedication and an enormous will to carry out them. I want to say with this that, maybe it will be difficult at the beginning; we are going to face several realities, in which we must be strong. We are even young people, so it is understandable that sometimes, we are afraid in front of a class, for example. In my personal experience, the most difficult thing has been to achieve discipline and the students' attention too. Sometimes, the same students tell you why they are so unpleasant with some new teachers, and in my case the students told me that I was too young and they feel a little bit 'free' with me, in spite of I am very strict with them. Nowadays, the students are changing slowly, but surely, and they have started to comprehend that I am their teacher, so they should respect and obey me as with any other teacher they do, no matter the age.
Finally, I think the only way to overcome all these situations is through the experience, and to get it we have to keep clear our goals, and could not fail or give up because of possible problems could happen.
Best wishes!
J.R
Hello everybody!!!
ReplyDeleteAs Jeremy Harmer says yesterday, most of the teachers get used to do the same things in their classes because is what they feel comfortable with, but it becomes a boring rutine. Every teacher should dare to change her/his style of teaching even if it is a big risk and everything goes wrong. The adrenaline and the feeling of don't knowing what is going to happen is the reason that makes you feel alive! Children will apreciate if you break the rutine and the rules sometimes!
Lets dare doing it!
regards
Fernanda Donaire
HI EVERYONE!
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS A VERY GOOD TOPIC.
WELL IN MY CASE I’M NOT AFRAID OF CHANGING A SPECIFIC KIND OF METHODOLOGY IN USE, IN FACT I’M VERY OPEN TO DO THAT, BUT MY MAIN PROBLEM IS MY STUDENT’S BEHAVIOUR, IN SOME CASES THEY SPEAK A LOT AND AT LOUD AND I REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I DON’T WANT TO BE DOING MY CLASSES ALMOST SHOUTING THEM YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THEM AND FOR ME EITHER…SO I TRY TO BRAKE THOSE MOMENTS BY SAYING THINGS LIKE “ LET’S PLAY A GAME” OR “WELL NOW WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING FUNNY…I NEED VOLUNTEERS..” AND STUFF…
BYE
MACA O.
Hello everyone!
ReplyDeleteOn my case I think what Yeremy Harmer says (Feña's post) is true. Because sometimes we will find the ministry programme does not fit students needs, but we use it anyway, so I believe we have to make changes on our methodology, on our tasks, activities, contents, and so on. In order to catch students attention, for making them improve and reach learning.
Also, if they are not motivated we have to create motivation on them, that is one of our labours as teachers.
Best regards
Katherie Morales
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe first problem that teachers of English have, is the traditional one: classes are boring I mean in school because at university is very different, teachers don’t create new things we know is not so easy create new material all the time, but the point is the way in which they do their classes, are like always, check the book translate a text answer question and that’s all, more than just be a person who teach something, a good teacher for me is a person who not only teach but also can act, perform something different, he or she should use other kind of material like videos, power points we have technology! students use it all the time and it would be interesting for them use it also in the class, for example if we are going to talk about future we can bring them some videos of youtube and ask them what is going to happen or if we want to explain something demonstrate this with examples that they can touch, we need to be more didactic, obviously is more difficult when we have 45 students I understand that. Another thing that is not help us as teachers is the fact that they are in rows I will prefer a semi circle I think in that way is like more comfortable or more familiar they can see each other for that reason they can interact, we must create communication and motivate our students in that way .
ReplyDeleteStudents don’t pay attention to the teacher because sometimes we are boring we do the same things and we can notice that also at university I mean as future teachers, we always do the same we don’t create nothing new, we just follow the same structures to do an activity, we must be creative right now of that way later should be easier, we are young we have fresh ideas but we must use them!
Hello Everybody!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, In my opinion, this is an excellent topic. We can share our experiences, and learn from them.
In my case, I'm doing my practice in an elementary school. I'm working with children from 8 to 12 years. This opportunity has been a great experience, almost unique. The 3rd grade is amazing, they are very tender, participative, with a great disposition, always raising their hands, I'm in love with them... The negative aspect is the discipline, they are like a room cradle, if one of them cry, everybody starts to cry. With the 3rd grade, if one of them speak, everybody starts to speak. Inside of the classroom the teacher is a clown, always running, jumping, doing grimaces, faces, and they love that. In that way you as a teacher catch all their attention, and they learn from you and from your crazy things!!
Hahahaha I bet those who went to Jeremy Harmer's lecture enjoyed and learnt lot of it... it was awesome and this topic is very related to his speech!
ReplyDeleteWell, I've had a lot of experiences in my teaching practice. First of all I've worked with children, which is a real challenge, since they demand you a lot of effort and energy. On the other hand, now I'm working with teenagers wich represents a challenge too, because they are always provoking you.
In both cases, I have to admit that sometimes it has gone awefully bad BUT there have been other ocassions in which kids had raised me up from the floor, because of their excellent response to the activities and tasks.
I guess the most challenging thing about teaching is the "surprise factor". You'll never know how is going to result your proposal. May be you might have some idea, but learners sometimes are so unpredictable!!!
I think it all depends on the prism you see education with!!
regards,
I think that the most difficult aspect of the teaching activity is to keep the order inside the classroom. There are many kinds of personalities (quiet ones, over active ones, etc.), that is why we have to try to adapt our class to all our students. To try not to fall down in the routine. Another important aspect is if we want to keep the order, we must go prepared to class, I mean, we have to plan class by class, because that shows that we are interested in our students, and that we are interested in our job. If we do not have any idea about what we are going to teach or to do in a specific day, may be we are going to lose our mind, I mean, students will see that, and therefore we are going to have misbehaving students. We have to be good teachers if we want to have good students.
ReplyDeleteRegards!!!
Daniela Villanueva