Job Discussion Forums

[Snuff]

Sorry if this topic has been covered before; I couldn't think of the keywords to find what I was looking for.

So, here it is.

I'm nearly two weeks into my second job. My first was in an Eikaiwa, where I taught the usual age groups and levels. Mostly one-on-one and small groups of general English to adults, and children ranging from 4 - 12. Although, I occasionally had the private business and exam (TOEIC) class as well.

Slightly disillusioned with the teaching style over there, I decided to head over to Europe (where dogs are welcome everywhere ) and was lucky enough to get a job from a Primary school in Prague. I loved the sound of the learning environment, the staff, and the lager wasn't so bad either. Plus, it's a dog-friendly country. I couldn't be luckier, at least from an entry-level point of view.

That being said, the school is completely different to the Eikaiwa, and the first week in I floundered. My classroom management was ropey, and I just felt disorientated. The school itself has only just opened. I haven't used the materials before, and the whole structure is new (Montessori-esque). Luckily, the staff have noticed this and are giving loads of support. I'm getting the chance to observe a class next week, to get an idea of what I'm supposed to be doing. Teachers have also observed my lessons and provided constructive feedback. I get the sense they've realised I'm not very confident, despite my experience.

(Sorry for the waffling - I'll get to the point) The point is, despite my previous experience I still feel like a total newb. Some teachers seem to leap into a classroom and swim, certificate still fresh from the printer, whilst I seem to flounder. Part of me even wonders if I'm cut out for this.

So, my question is this: How many years did it take for you to hit your stride as a teacher? Or, how long does it generally take for a teacher to mature professionally?

Just some facts about myself:

20-something
British passport
BA in English
Trinity CertTESOL

All the best.

[nomad soul]

It usually takes about two years --- some teachers sooner while others a bit longer. However, training and education are a huge factor. In your case, you don't have the specific qualifications for teaching children. That's not a put down, but it's one of the reasons your confidence is low. Plus, you're in a new and very different culture and teaching context, which requires adjustment.

Give it some time. You're fortunate to be getting support.

[spiral78]

It's pretty well known that the transition from Asia to Europe is difficult for many teachers. You're not atypical, don't worry!

There is a thread on this that might help a bit, though it's not really about teaching kiddies. Uncharted territory, to some degree! But the status issues will be applicable, as will much of the stuff regarding student motivation and expectations, though in your case the expectations are more likely to come from fellow staff and parents.

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=95456&start=0

[scot47]

I never had much success in teaching children. There are also huge variations between countries and between schools, in terms of the expected role of the educator.

Easiest for me were Germany in a "Gymnasium" and at Prep-year university (18/19 year-olds) in Saudi Arabia.

[santi84]

For me, it took about three months to feel comfortable teaching children. I am a mother, so I probably adapted faster than those without a background working with kids. The hardest part will be classroom management, which is apples to oranges compared to adult classroom management (sometimes easier yet physically exhausting). Hang in there. My best advice is to seek a mentor (a good teacher you've observed) and learn as much as you can. Focus on classroom management, it all falls from there. FYI all elementary classes are a gong show in the first few weeks, even for the best, experienced teachers.

[In the heat of the moment]

That's a big change in demands on you, as a teacher. You'll find the tricks and habits which work in a children's school in Europe are vastly different to those in a language centre in Japan - you couldn't get much more different.

Not only are your students, classes and the school itself very different, their culture is, the food is, history, emphasis on education etc etc.

It'll take you a while to 'bed in' to a new way of doing things, on the plus side it's a huge opportunity to improve your experience and knowledge as a teacher. You could speed up the process by finding other native speaking teachers over there and speaking with them about how they handle the day-to-day challenges. Try to find websites where a lot of teachers in Europe swap ideas and lesson plans, track down local EFL teachers who you can enjoy a beer and a chat with, and treat this new school as very different from what you're used to.

How long did it take me? I'll tell you when I get there

[Nicky_McG]

I don't think it's necessarily about finding your stride as a teacher rather than adapting to a new environment. I'd been teaching for four years before I started working in French Higher education. I really struggled for a year or two to adapt to the fact that French university students can behave as badly as high school students, if you let them. I wasn't ready for that and as this kind of behaviour is so normalised, nobody thought to warn me. Most of my colleagues had a similar experience. The schools I work for don't really have much of a policy on behaviour and I realise that sending students to see my immediate superior would not solve anything. If you've lost control of a class, and there are very few consequences for bad behaviour, it can be difficult. Thankfully, that doesn't sound like it's the case for you so you're in a much better position than me in that respect. I eventually got used to better classroom management (though,admittedly some of my methods of managing a classroom are perhaps unorthodox)

[buravirgil]

Fake it 'til you make it, is an addage. And stop using flounder in place of founder, though some might argue I've made a mute point.
10 Ways to Feel Confident(Pick a Brain)

[johnslat]

"To flounder is (1) to struggle or move with difficulty, as in mud; or (2) to behave awkwardly or make mistakes. One who flounders does not fail completely but merely struggles. To founder is (1) to cave in, (2) to sink below the water, (3) to fail utterly, or (4) to go lame. While to flounder is merely to struggle, foundering usually involves utter failure."

http://grammarist.com/usage/flounder-founder/

Regards,
John

[fluffyhamster]

That's exactly what I was thinking too, Johnslat. (I was going to say that struggling isn't quite the same thing as sinking. Well, except when you're stuck in exceptionally dangerous quicksand or something!).

[buravirgil]

[johnslat]

Dear buravirgil,

I'd say you flounded a bit but hey, even great Homer nods - no, that's not Homer Simpson

Regards,
John

[Snuff]

Thanks for the words of advice. I'm sorry if I don't respond to everyone, but I have taken on board what has been said, and I really appreciate the input.

[fluffyhamster]

Homer? Puh-lease! That's what, four times in as little as two days that native speakers have been taken to task over perfectly acceptable usage. The apologies or mea culpas are starting to sound a bit hollow now! And should some people really be teaching English? Shudder at the thought.

[fluffyhamster]