Job Discussion Forums

[nomadder]

Now as a language student studying Spanish 20 hours a week one on one with the teacher not to mention using it in daily life I really miss being a teacher. It was so much easier. In future I will have alot more sympathy for my students. As was discussed once months ago you do analyze your teacher�s lessons and in fact I sometimes try to guide the lesson to things I think are better for me to learn. It is really good to see how it feels to learn a language.

I�m beginning to think Japanese is easy(I sort of gave up on it while I was there). Spanish with its gender agreements, articles,more complicated verbs etc. is seeming more difficult but I feel more comfortable trying to speak it than I did trying to speak Japanese and understand far more Spanish than Japanese already. I think the biggest thing is confidence and not wanting to sound like a fool.

[denise]

I'm not sure which is easier--being a teacher or student. In terms of the amount of material to be learned, the student's role is harder, but in terms of the amount of thought and awareness that must go into a lesson... students (except for those who are also teachers!) have no idea!!!

I've got a private Japanese tutor who has an MA in education, so should have some theoretical background in teaching. Maybe it's because I'm such a beginner that there are limits to what we can do, or maybe it's her teaching style, or maybe I'm hyper-critical, but I always find myself thinking, "Hmmmm... too much book practice for a private lesson--I can do this book stuff on my own. Hmmmm... too much new material--not enough recycling, no time for me to absorb anything."

Nomadder--are you still studying in Guatemala? Several years ago I went to a Spanish school in Antigua, and I loved it.

d

[nomadder]

YOu found me. Which school did you study at? How�s your Spanish?

I do the same as you-mentally criticizing the lesson. She thinks I can answer questions after having one second to think. She doesn�t even give me time to read the instructions. If I don�t answer quickly she gives the answer. SHe talks too fast and not loudly or clearly enough so that I can really hear how to pronounce properly. Luckily I can understand most of it.

WE spent over an hour with me reading grammar sheets and conjugating verbs the first day until I finally told her I was getting tired. I�d like more interesting activities, more variety.

Love Antigua by the way and the timing is perfect for semana santa processions, etc. Weird to hear English speakers actually speaking the native tongue for a change.

[denise]

I was at Probigua. I was really happy with it--not only because of the instruction that I got but also because it donates supplies and materials to under-funded elementary schools throughout the country.

My Spanish these days is fading rapidly. I haven't studied it for... hmmm... seven years now, not counting the occasional adult class/tutor I've had along the way. I am planning on heading to South America as soon as my time in Japan is done, though.

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[lajzar]

I agree. Just as doctors make the worst patients, teachers make the worst students, and of course, lawyers make the worst people.

[Lanza-Armonia]

mmmmmmmm? goooo-gooo-gaaa-gaaa

[nomadder]

Actually Central America but I will visit South so thanks for the info.
To add to my list of bad teacherly habits:

Talking quickly, unclearly and especially with a giggle at the end of every sentence
Saying we�ll do something the next day and then not and not even mentioning it again
Playing a CD with the volume to low
Leaving your cell phone on during class
Not having enough material
Not writing things down-we need our visuals
Very random(if existent�?) lesson plan
Looking bored and constantly asking if you want to take a break

Suffice it to say I plan to change teachers for the next week. Nonetheless there have been improvements and I try to set the pace as it is my lesson only

Hey Denise when will you go to S. America? I may try to teach there later this year.

[denise]

I won't be heading down to South America for another couple of years. Sigh... I need to make sure I've got enough money saved up to be able to make my monthly student loan payments while I'm down there.

Here's another item for your list of bad teacher traits:

not noticing, or at least not responding, when your student literally drops her head down onto the table--THUD--in frustration

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[Stephen Jones]

Whatever you do, don't learn Spanish where L-A did. The Spanish translation he gives is absolutely atrocious.