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ChicagoCubMike
Joined: 28 Mar 2004
Posts: 30
Location: Chicago, IL
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 Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 2:15 am Post subject: First Day (Ever) Jitters for Tomorrow |
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My lesson planning is the easy part. My anxiety is the hard part. Chanting to myself over and over, "You're gonna do fine, you're gonna do fine, you're gonna do fine." Tomorrow afternoon is my first session ever in front of an ESL class. I'll be teaching Levels 2 and 3 in a combined class (they switch off doing lessons and quizzes in a computer lab over the course of 2 hours). Oh, AND...altogether they number (this could be Beijing but it's really Chicago) 50 students: 32 Level 2; 18 Level 3.
If anyone can remember back to their first day, what am I in for? I'm expecting the worst nerves but the best experience. Is that about right? Any words of encouragement (or some quicky airmailed Zoloft) greatly appreciated! |
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Irish
Joined: 13 Jan 2003
Posts: 371
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 2:28 am Post subject: The first time is always special |
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| I'm expecting the worst nerves but the best experience. Is that about right? |
Yep, that's about right.
Just a couple of months ago, I did my first ever real ESL class, an upper-intermediate writing class of students from various parts of Asia. Man, I was so nervous I thought I was going to pass out in front of them! I remember thinking, "My desk is too clean -- a real teacher would have PILES of stuff everywhere. They're gonna know I'm a fraud!"
But they didn't. Once I started teaching, they got to work. They did their work and treated me well. Eventually, I even stopped worrying about the observer taking notes in the back of the room. By the time class finished, I was sorry to end it all.
Don't worry, Mike, you'll get through it. And you'll probably enjoy it as much as I did. Be sure to post and let us know how it works out. |
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Guest
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 3:30 am Post subject: |
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I was a basket case for my first few lessons back last August.
Remember that kids can SMELL FEAR - the same way a dog can - to try and appear confident even if it is the last thing you are feeling.
Good luck! |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:37 am Post subject: |
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Good luck! I agree with Rhonda. Put on a happy face and chances are they'll be on your side. Is it their first day of classes as well? If so, they might be too worried about their own nerves to notice yours!
I feel jittery at the beginning of every new term here, even if all of my students are the same. We have five terms per year (and four classes per term)--that's a lot of jitters! They pass quickly, though.
d |
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nolefan
Joined: 14 Jan 2004
Posts: 1458
Location: on the run
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 5:59 am Post subject: forget about it |
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forget about a lesson plan for your first day!
Why don't you do the classic introduction? tell the kids a few things about you and let them ask a few question. This is goes a long way into establishing a good communication between you and them for the rest of the semester! |
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Shaman
Joined: 06 Apr 2003
Posts: 446
Location: Hammertown
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 8:58 am Post subject: |
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| Rhonda Place wrote: |
| Remember that kids can SMELL FEAR - the same way a dog can - to try and appear confident even if it is the last thing you are feeling. |
They can also smell ambivalence. Show them you want to be there. Have fun - the fate of the universe is not hanging in the balance. 
Good Luck. You'll do fine.
Shaman |
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struelle
Joined: 16 May 2003
Posts: 2372
Location: Shanghai
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 9:51 am Post subject: |
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They can also smell ambivalence. Show them you want to be there. Have fun - the fate of the universe is not hanging in the balance.
Good Luck. You'll do fine. |
Good advice. Here in China, there are several things that the students as especially tuned in to. In short, they want to see teachers who are dedicated to their jobs, who like China, and who enjoy teaching.
Ambivalence does not compute in the minds of Chinese students. Either the teacher wants to be there or he/she doesn't. So an ambivalent teacher is perceived as one who doesn't want to be there (or maybe just wants to make money and travel).
The first lesson doesn't have to be perfect, but what's key is the *effort* made. They can tell if you try hard, and that's what counts.
On the flip side, a teacher who doesn't care and adopts a 'whatever' attitude towards teaching and China is not going to last long in this country.
Steve
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 10:44 am Post subject: |
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I'd have activities where they talk to to each other and try to get to know each other (if they are new to the class too). Otherwise, have them ask you questions. Maybe split them into groups where they come up with questions for you. Don't answer all the questions if they are too personal.  It's good for them to know when to draw the line with people they don't know very well. Besides it should take time before they know everything about you.
I also agree that as long as you are trying, that is all they ask for. No one likes a jaded teacher. |
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