Job Discussion Forums

[Lauddie]

My name is Tina Beattie and I am a graduate student at Grand Valley State University completing my Masters in Education with an emphasis on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

For my thesis I am conducting a case study on the ways in which context affects English teachers� methodologies in teaching English in foreign settings.

For this research I am in need of volunteers, specifically volunteers who are native English speakers and who are in their first year of teaching English in a foreign setting.

The research will take place over a six week period in which the participants and I will contact one another through e-mail and an agreed upon on-line chat program.

The participant will need to have access to a secure computer, e-mail program, and on-line chat programs as well as be willing to keep a teaching journal where they will reflect upon their teaching and submit random samples from it, in addition to lesson plans and possibly teaching materials.

If you are interested in participating in this research or have further questions about it please e-mail me at [email protected]

This Exempt research protocol has been approved by the Human Research Review Committee at Grand Valley State University. File No. 10-173-H.

[kazazt]

what is in it for the participant?

[johnslat]

Dear kazazt,

The opportunity to advance the frontiers of knowledge?



Regards,
John

[Lauddie]

The benefits the participants in this study may gain is a greater awareness of what variables effect their teaching practice and methods and a greater understanding of the country in which they are working in when it comes to education and language education specifically. For other English language instructors, the benefits may be a greater appreciation of the teaching professional's use and choice of teaching methods and practice and a better insight into how the environment shapes an instructor's teaching decisions.

It is entirely possible that some participants may find the study therapeutic in dealing with emotions and thoughts that working and living in a foreign setting may evoke. By keeping a teaching journal in which they can reflect on their teaching experiences, they may find a way of coping with possible teaching difficulties and/or work difficulties they encounter. Additionally, this personal outlet may assist them with dealing with any issues of cultural shock they may encounter in working and living in their foreign setting. Alternatives to keeping a teaching journal that these participants may engage in that may offer similar benefits may be networking with other English language instructors who work in the same city or town as them, becoming an active member on their region's particular forum on Dave's ESL cafe where they can discuss pertinent issues with their colleagues, or finding a priest or counselor who they can discuss personal matters with.

[scot47]

"or finding a priest or counselor who they can discuss personal matters with"

Are you really so naive about Saudi Arabia ?

Invitation declined.

[MrScaramanga]

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Which begs for a repeating of Janet Jackson's musings.

♫ What � have � you � done � for � me � late � ly? ♫

NCTBA ... ...

P.s.- Those who fall within the parameters defined by the OP should really give it hard thought!