Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

First day teaching tips?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Hoser



Joined: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 694
Location: Toronto, Canada
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:57 am    Post subject: First day teaching tips? Reply with quote
Wednesday will be my first day in a high/jr high classroom. I will be teaching classes of 2nd and 3rd year jr high students (small classes, 20 students each). I'd appreciate any helpful tips on how to get the school year off on the right foot. Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Kootvela



Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 513
Location: Lithuania
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 8:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
I'm not really sure how old your students are. I usually had them write me a letter during their first lesson, including info about them, their hobbies, they could draw something. I would gain some useful information about my students. And I wouldn't recommend starting the books, unless you have a syllabus to chase. For the first lesson we would play language games and spend time getting to know each other better (unless they already do!). My 2 cents.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
ghostrider



Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 147
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Are you an ALT or the main teacher?

I plan on doing something like kootvela said, plus go over common phrases to use, what to do when I say certain things (like "Let's work in pairs"/"...groups"), procedures (what to do and say when I enter class and when class ends, to raise hands to answer, etc.), grading system, test dates. If you're an ALT, just discuss these things with each JTE. Some won't be necessary. Often, but not always, you'll be in a 60/40, 70/30 relationship, with them dominating.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The students will be just as nervous to meet you as vice versa. First rule: relax.

Second rule: find out from the other teachers what the classes are like.

JHS/SHS kids take English because they have to. Many/Most don't like it. They technically need English only to pass college entrance exams, and the grammar is taught by the JTEs. So, relax and enjoy the ride.

First day, show pictures of where you live. Ask them what they know of it. Use a map. Make groups think of questions to ask you. For the HS kids, teach them the RIGHT way to introduce themselves (they get this every year, so they are bored with it) and how to ask questions that will help themselves.

Show the VideoJug clip on "how to give a great handshake" and narrate it yourself. Make them practice. Go around and monitor. Enjoy.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Kootvela



Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 513
Location: Lithuania
PostPosted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
ghostrider wrote:
Are you an ALT or the main teacher?

I plan on doing something like kootvela said, plus go over common phrases to use, what to do when I say certain things (like "Let's work in pairs"/"...groups"), procedures (what to do and say when I enter class and when class ends, to raise hands to answer, etc.), grading system, test dates. If you're an ALT, just discuss these things with each JTE. Some won't be necessary. Often, but not always, you'll be in a 60/40, 70/30 relationship, with them dominating.


That's very right, teach them some classroom language and do explain the system how things work. Also, write a list of rules: for students and for you. For example, 'we will keep mobile phones off in the lesson or else...' and things like that. Keep it on the wall to refer to and that does help to maintain the discipline.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Yahoo Messenger
Hoser



Joined: 19 Mar 2005
Posts: 694
Location: Toronto, Canada
PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
What sort of attitude do you go in with on the first day? I don't want to be Mr Strict but at the same time I don't want the kids to think that I'm a pushover and try to take advantage of that.

God the textbook pretty much sucks-for the teachers anyways. I'm browsing through the lessons and it's a little hard for me to decipher what sort of part of speech I'm supposed to be teaching-the grammar explanations are all in Japanese! It would help if there was at least a single word such as "modals" or "gerunds" or "conditional" to help clue the teacher in a little. Sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ripslyme



Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 481
Location: Japan
PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hoser wrote:
What sort of attitude do you go in with on the first day? I don't want to be Mr Strict but at the same time I don't want the kids to think that I'm a pushover and try to take advantage of that.

God the textbook pretty much sucks-for the teachers anyways. I'm browsing through the lessons and it's a little hard for me to decipher what sort of part of speech I'm supposed to be teaching-the grammar explanations are all in Japanese! It would help if there was at least a single word such as "modals" or "gerunds" or "conditional" to help clue the teacher in a little. Sad


I don't go in as super-happy-fun-genki-dancing-english-monkey-foreigner, but I do try to keep it somewhat light. Compared to the rest of their classes, your class is going to be one of the high points of their day (week). Well, at least it should be.

At JHS/HS, I do a short self-intro, make a game out of it, and go over discipline rules. To reinforce discipline, we also make a game out of it. For example, when I raise my hand with 3 fingers in the air, the class does "Stop. Look. Listen.". The first team with all kids doing it gets a point.

The textbook, yes they're all quite terrible throughout Japan. Wait until you get into the classroom and see the Japanese style of teaching English. Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Sweetsee



Joined: 11 Jun 2004
Posts: 2302
Location: ) is everything
PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Could you tell me some of the rules you go over and how you do that?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Glenski



Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 12844
Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN
PostPosted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sweetsee,
Haven't you been doing this for about 16 years now?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
BobbyBan