Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject:

I learned it, too - apparently it refers to teaching adult learners:

Comparative analysis of pedagogics and andragogics

please use this link:

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:8hx7LmAeLVsJ:www.glp.net/c/document_library/get_file%3FfolderId%3D27443%26name%3DDLFE-3919.doc+andragogics+meaning&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 12:30 am Post subject:

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

Basically, andragogics means 'upbringing and education of adults.' Also, Andragogics(from Greek aner, andros � adult man, mature man + ago - lead) � the science of teaching adults.

For more, try this:
http://www.glp.net/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=27443&name=DLFE-3918.ppt

Madame J · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

Going off topic I know, but what I want to know is why so many teaching positions with kids seem to value a degree/CELTA/generic certificate over a police background check. Surely in that circumstance, the latter is the most crucial thing?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure I see the relevance. A cert is meant to indicate knowing how to teach, and a police background check is meant to indicate that you're not a criminal or sex-pervert.

Some places might require both. Some accept that both these things are hard to prove.

Certain countries, the UK is one I have experience with, seem to believe in the infallibility of the police background check. But, though I'm glad I have no record to hide, every time I apply to a job that requires one, they want it from my country of origin. So I call up the clerk of district court in my country of residence in the US, where I haven't been a regular fixture for some years...you see the problem.

Best,
justin

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Police background checks are a huge joke. In what country do you do them? Remember EFL teachers have been living all over the world.

Madame J · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

Ah, all right, you may both have a point. It still seems a little iffy to not have *some* sort of regulation in that area, though. Alas, I suppose that is the typically unregulated world of EFL all over...!

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

Kootvela · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 513 Location: Lithuania

Many teachers claim that they can be good tecahers without the certification. I am still in two minds about it. If they mean 'teacher' as the human aspect of the job- rapport, feedback, good atmosphere, friendliness, etc.- maybe yes. If they mean professional issues, maybe no. I agree that it is impossible to become a professional in 4 weeks (CELTA) but that's the first step towards the aim. How useful is the course content, that's again individual. I found my course to be extremely useful, however, I had had 4 years of B.A. and about 2 years of teaching practice before I enrolled for the certificate.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

I think that there are definitely lots (and by lots I mean a large number of people, not the majority) of people who can be excellent teachers without formal training. There are so many opportunities to teach others in our day to day lives that you can pick up a lot of the skills you need as you go. Throughout K-12 I was often asked to help struggling students with their classwork when I was finished. Once I entered the workforce (part-time during high school and university) I was often asked to train new colleagues. I have a younger brother and I often showed him the ropes as he was growing up. Life is full of teachable moments! Find a person who has done a lot of informal teaching throughout their life, give them a good curriculum to work with (and by curriculum I mean set of well-defined learning objectives, not specific resources like books and worksheets) and they'll probably do better than half the people who were in my Bachelor of Education graduating class.