Job Discussion Forums

[shmooj]

We have teacher's chairs on wheels which means that, especially with kids classes when I am usually fairly knackered, I can just zip around the room and monitor things.

Again, if they are on the carpet, sitting in a chair seems more natural than standing over them.

With adults I find I'm often using the chair to signal a transition between activities i.e. a change of pace, focus on me while we wrap up what we've done and get instruction to move on.

[Capergirl]

[zaneth]

I was really surprised when the trainer on the Celta suggested I try sitting down. I thought it wasn't allowed or something.

Sometimes it really helps me be more serious, quiet.

[struelle]

I stand almost all the time, but occasionally I join in a role-play or group discussion and take a seat. At the end of a 7-hour teaching day, I like to do more discussions so I can enjoy this

Strangely enough, when I did my CELTA course in Bangkok, the protocol there was to sit in the teacher's chair in front of the students during feedback and even for presenting some new language.

This felt very odd after being using to always standing before, and my tutor mentioned in my comments that I could sit down more.

Steve

[kev7161]

Wow! Sitting while teaching? What a concept. The only time I will sit down is if I am observing and evaluating students when they go to the front of the class to do an oral exercise. But, boy-oh-boy, if I tried to sit when I am teaching a lesson, giving a test (they would cheat if I didn't monitor them), in class workbook time (they wouldn't do it) . . . . . . or pretty much any activity, these kids would find that as an opportune time to start chatting each other up (and NOT in English!).

No, I tend to stand pretty much throughout all my lessons. I find if I see a student reading a comic book or playing with his translator or writing a note to pass, I can just wander by and stand next to his desk while talking to the students and he pretty much curbs his non-English-learning activities. I do walk around the class a lot (but not "flit" around the class - - I'm much to old and fat to be flitting these days) and I don't even have my own chair or stool in my classroom.

[JosephP]

Sit in class? Rarely. I think, react, and generally do a better job whilst literally keeping on my toes. If I sit down I lose focus and this rubs off on my students. I do occasionally squat down next to students -- towering over someone can be off-putting I imagine.
Sit, no way. I don't get paid to sit. I'm too fidgety for that anyway. I do admit to sometimes leaning against the whiteboard. Anyone have a tip on how to get the whiteboard gunk out of clothing?

[Lanza-Armonia]

Sit sit SIT!!!

When the hell do you have time to sit with 20-30 screaming kids!

LA?

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[Teacher Lindsay]

My first TESOL position was at a language school in Bangkok and they fined teachers seen to be sitting while conducting a class (Hey Steve, have you heard of British-American?).

Here in China each of my classes has 80 students. I really need to project my voice so that I can be heard by students sitting at the back of the classroom. If I sat, I wouldn't be able to be heard right down the back.

Conversely, I require each of my students to stand when (individually) answering a question because I can't otherwise hear them.

Cheers

[struelle]

[shmooj]

[Teacher Lindsay]

shmooj

Have you ever taught a class of 80 students?

Cheers

[Clancy]

Try 150 in a conversation class. Now that is a difficult thing to do. Yet, many Chinese English teachers are required to do just that.

I had 220 in my Middle School classes. No joke. It can be done. I learned how from my Chinese co-teacher.

[shmooj]

[Teacher Lindsay]

I wrote:-