Job Discussion Forums

[DebMer]

Hello, TEFLers and TESLers. This is my first post here, but I've been devouring all of YOUR posts for the past week or so. What a wonderful thing to learn about and from all of your experiences.

I'm currently halfway through my second year teaching ESL in Southern California. My class is a non-credit, multi-level ESL class offered through the community college. I have found LOVE. In my mid-forties, I feel like I've come into the first type of paid work that I truly enjoy in almost every way.

My background and current thinking: I have been in and out of elementary education since 1993, have a teaching credential, and enjoy the kids and many aspects of that work, but I have problems with the school system and pedagogical methodology in general. So I now divide my time between my adult ESL classes and private enrichment classes held in my home for local homeschooled children, and a bit of tutoring for public and charter school students. I'd like to increase my adult ESL hours, but can't do so through the community college. They limit us to 9 hours per week, maximum. Something having to do with benefits, I believe.

One of the things I'm considering is opening up ESL classes for the community this summer. There is a large Latino population in the area, as well as a surprising (for my area) number of Ukrainians. I could hold classes at a local recreation center, and charge a fairly low amount per person per class as long as I had a committed 10 to 15 students per class.

(My family is also considering a move to Mexico, but that's neither here nor there in this discussion of local possibilities. Got to keep options open in these economic times. )

I have some questions for you experienced ESL teachers, especially those of you who have been in a position of needing to create or find your own curriculum.

What I like best is having a good foundational curriculum that focuses on practical written and spoken English, but that includes grammar as a support to the language instruction. I like to use curriculum books as a springboard for additional conversation and vocabulary, and then take the opportunity to teach more grammar as specific questions arise. I don't want to reinvent the wheel, but like the freedom to follow the interests of my students, as well.

I'm guessing that the people who might come to me for instruction are low to middle income and in need of daily survival and work skills above all else.

With this information, what materials have you used that you think would fit the bill and be reasonably affordable for me (and my students) to purchase?

What is the most comprehensive curriculum you've encountered?

How deeply do you delve into phonics and emergent literacy in your classes? (In my current adult class of 24 students, there are 4 students who are functionally illiterate, having gone through little to no schooling in their home countries. They have twice the challenge in the learning process.) I tend to include a few minutes of phonics instruction in each class session. This is enough to help those who are eager to improve their English reading skills, but far too little to meet the needs of my pre-readers. Multi-level classes are a challenge!

In your experience, are there students interested in incorporating literature as part of their experience? It occurs to me that literature can be an important (and enjoyable!) way to understand culture as well as language. I'm thinking about offering an American Literature class or something along those lines to intermediate to advanced learners.

I'm looking for advice, feedback, constructive criticism and ideas from those of you with related experience.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Glenski]

How much money are you willing/able to invest in this project? The first thing I would do is figure on that, and then go from there to see what sort of facilities you could afford, such as...

building rent
photocopier/paper needed?
laminator needed?
OHP? screen?
business cards?
flyers? other forms of advertising?
graded readers (for those lit classes)?
SRA kit?

If your clientele is low-income people, be careful about how you bill them, whether per visit or a month in advance. Also take into consideration how you will handle absences and demands to refund money.

[nomad soul]

Add to Glenski's list: IRS tax requirements regarding business expenses as well as self-employment, unless you're already paying taxes on your current private teaching income.

[DebMer]

Glenski and Nomad, thank you for your replies and the good questions you've posed about details to consider.

Start up would be pretty low, I believe. The rec center charges very little for use of their facilities, and I can manage the cost of initial advertising. I'm thinking of a couple of local Spanish advertising booklets I've seen at grocery stores as a good starting place. I would need to find affordable and suitable curriculum workbooks for the students, which is my main concern right now.

IRS requirements. Ugh. I loathe paperwork and red tape, but will have to suck it up and figure that all out.

[choudoufu]

working with kids in california?

you need to look into screening and certification,
background check requirements for you and any
employees.

i'm thinking (the various forms of) insurance might
just kill the deal, as it will likely be several times the
cost of rent.

[DebMer]

choudoufu, these ESL classes would be for adults.

Although God knows I've been fingerprinted enough for my work with elementary school kids that I'd be an idiot to ever violate the law. I've been printed for the school district as well as for three local charter schools I teach classes for. You'd think they'd get their act together and print/DOJ ONCE for anything in the state and share the results between agencies.

[naturegirl321]

As for IRS stuff, I finally caved and got an accountant. Best money I've spent in a long time.

[DebMer]