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rioux
Joined: 26 Apr 2012
Posts: 880
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 Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 1:11 am Post subject: University work week schedules - Pile or Spread? |
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| With these 18 hour a week schedules I prefer my classes more evenly spread out during the week rather than a day off or a very short day and then having to get 6 classes dumped on me another day. I have large classes with students at a very low level. During my 6 class days and especially afterwards I am completely exhausted. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:05 am Post subject: |
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Good point.
If I have 9 classes for an 18 hour pw semester, I like 2 on Monday, say 10 and 2.
Tuesday I'm gettin into it and can do 8, 10 and 2.
Wednesday 8 and 10 then a bit of grocery shopping at the local supermarket - no big commute.
Thursday is a half day so happy to do 8 and 10. Unless I have English Corner on Thursday afternoon I do my laundry and a bit of housework.
This gives me Friday, Sat and Sun clear although if I do privates I try to schedule those for Sat morning.
Lesson planning is always Sunday morning and then downtown for brunch.
As I got my resources together I found that lesson planning took less and less time. |
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roadwalker
Joined: 24 Aug 2005
Posts: 1750
Location: Ch
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:12 am Post subject: |
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I agree it depends a lot on the size and level of the students. If I had manageable sized classes of English majors, I'd want to cram as many classes into as few days as possible.
I have a couple of classes this term with 40 plus students, majority boys, and each takes a toll. They're not bad kids and are respectful, but their levels are all over the map. I spend a lot of time repeating myself and dealing more with classroom management than getting on with the lesson, or at least it feels that way. If I had a few more classes like those, I'd really want them spread out, one per day max. It's exhausting all right. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:17 am Post subject: |
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My classes are 40 to 50 and motivated even if uneven in ability. They are majoring in customer-facing roles so there is a career benefit in passable English.
They are all freshers so they basically do the same material. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 2:24 am Post subject: |
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| I prefer my classes more evenly spread out |
Likewise, for oral English, anyway. VERY draining; gotta keep 'em talking, gotta keep track of grammar, pronunciation, etc. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 4:38 am Post subject: |
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| johntpartee wrote: |
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| I prefer my classes more evenly spread out |
Likewise, for oral English, anyway. VERY draining; gotta keep 'em talking, gotta keep track of grammar, pronunciation, etc. |
I'm not too worried about grammar etc as I prefer them to keep talking and complete the thought.
My students from time to time ask 'why do you not correct us?'
I say because I can understand you and that's the basis of the communicative method.
I also mention that because English is the global language, native speakers like me get used to hearing all sorts of attempts at speaking.
Do you stop a kid who says 'I to the park will go'?
No - we're communicating and that's the main thing for now. |
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johntpartee
Joined: 02 Mar 2010
Posts: 3258
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:36 am Post subject: |
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| I'm not too worried about grammar etc as I prefer them to keep talking and complete the thought |
I take notes and point out errors after they're finished. Not a good thing to keep interrupting them while they're talking, they'll get gun-shy. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:48 am Post subject: |
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+1
The 'religiously motivated' teacher I mentioned in another thread, would ask a question about a situation in the textbook and immediately supply the answer. He didn't even pause to breathe.
'What are Jane and John doing in the park, yes they are having a picnic'. |
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LarssonCrew
Joined: 06 Jun 2009
Posts: 1308
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| Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 9:24 am Post subject: |
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I agree with what's been said. If I can understand, I'll let them go. Being free to talk and trying new ways to communicate is more important. If they pause, I'll give them some time and then suggest words it might be.
I had ONE chinese class, and the teacher was interrupting me after every word to correct the tone. I ended up not going back, I told her 'If you understand, let me speak' but she couldn't change her style. |
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Timer
Joined: 24 Oct 2010
Posts: 173
Location: China
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| Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:00 am Post subject: |
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| Non Sequitur wrote: |
| johntpartee wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I prefer my classes more evenly spread out |
Likewise, for oral English, anyway. VERY draining; gotta keep 'em talking, gotta keep track of grammar, pronunciation, etc. |
I'm not too worried about grammar etc as I prefer them to keep talking and complete the thought.
My students from time to time ask 'why do you not correct us?'
I say because I can understand you and that's the basis of the communicative method.
I also mention that because English is the global language, native speakers like me get used to hearing all sorts of attempts at speaking.
Do you stop a kid who says 'I to the park will go'?
No - we're communicating and that's the main thing for now. |
| Quote: |
| Do you stop a kid who says 'I to the park will go'? |
Wow, why on Earth wouldn't you correct someone who said that? Regardless of being a teacher or not that is some dreadful English and needs to be corrected.
As for your students; you are their teacher so shouldn't you be teaching them? It's fine and all that you can understand them but that's not going to be good enough if they go abroad for work or further study. If someone wants to work overseas doing something other than cleaning toilets they will need to do better than "I to the park will go". |
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choudoufu
Joined: 25 May 2010
Posts: 3325
Location: Mao-berry, PRC
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| Posted: Tue Dec 03, 2013 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Timer wrote: |
| ...As for your students; you are their teacher so shouldn't you be teaching them? It's fine and all that you can understand them but that's not going to be good enough if they go abroad for work or further study. If someone wants to work overseas doing something other than cleaning toilets they will need to do better than "I to the park will go". |
correct it? you mean the grammer's wrong? wow. my fancypants
computer grammers checker says ok it is.
agree yoda would. |
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chinatimes
Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 478
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| Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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Do you stop a kid who says 'I to the park will go'?
No - we're communicating and that's the main thing for now. |
That's skirting the issue. No, you don't stop the kid. But, yes you do correct.
I wait until they finish and then I comment on the biggest mistake that would increase their grade the most.
I'd say word order is right up there.
"I Bob lent a pen to."
We can assume that "I" is the subject because if it were "Bob" then it would be "me" instead. However, this takes understanding grammar and you can't communicate effectively if the listener doesn't know this. You can't skip the grammar because you are using certain grammar rules to figure out what the other person is saying. |
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Non Sequitur
Joined: 23 May 2010
Posts: 4724
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:15 am Post subject: |
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| chinatimes wrote: |
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Do you stop a kid who says 'I to the park will go'?
No - we're communicating and that's the main thing for now. |
That's skirting the issue. No, you don't stop the kid. But, yes you do correct.
I wait until they finish and then I comment on the biggest mistake that would increase their grade the most.
I'd say word order is right up there.
"I Bob lent a pen to."
We can assume that "I" is the subject because if it were "Bob" then it would be "me" instead. However, this takes understanding grammar and you can't communicate effectively if the listener doesn't know this. You can't skip the grammar because you are using certain grammar rules to figure out what the other person is saying. |
The 'communicative method' of ESL teaching is exactly that and doesn't put emphasis on grammar.
Classes are not streamed by ability and many students are beginning English learning again after pretty well failing at High School.
Keeping it student centred and focusing on their needs is the key.
Going back to the OP, I've reconsidered and I now feel my lessons should be a lot more spaced out. |
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Craigo
Joined: 21 Jan 2013
Posts: 17
Location: room 4106, overlooking the 大海
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| Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 6:38 am Post subject: |
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| Going back to the OP, I've reconsidered and I now feel my lessons should be a lot more spaced out. |
Sure, that allows you more prep time and a breather between classes....
I prefer a piled-up schedule, because this year I have classes daily at 8 to 10, and 4 to 6 p.m. Man, that makes for long days. But it's not bad because I can commute home quickly and I get out of evening English Corners (while being paid 
Always I've found it best to accept whatever is dished out, and have always found some good in 'bad' schedules over the years |
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NoBillyNO
Joined: 11 Jun 2012
Posts: 1762
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| Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 7:17 am Post subject: |
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| If someone wants to work overseas doing something other than cleaning toilets they will need to do better than "I to the park will go". |
Havwe you ever heard the head Forensic Examiner
in LA.... |
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