Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear Panama Teacher,
I suppose I've got no business making an " evaluation " myself that's not only sight-unseen but also based on on your postings, but what the heck, I'll do it anyway - I'd say you " can do the job ". For one thing, you were able to discern the problems with the program - that's half the battle. For another, you seem to be an intelligent guy and a dedicated one - you want your students to " get their money's worth ", to succeed. And there are all the resources of the Net to help you out ( not to mention some posters here - e.g. keNt ). Regarding the " observation ", I can well understand your qualms - I didn't like to do it, either. But it sounds to me like it's going to be done, and if not by you, then by someone most probably even less " qualified " to do so. I'd say, given the circumstances, you're the best choice - and the fact that you DO have doubts and qualms makes me even more certain of that. My advice? Go for it - on both counts: the program and the observing.
Regards,
John

[PanamaTeacher]

Thanks John very encouraging since I've read many of your posts, and I know that you know your stuff.

[Ted]

Observations of classes by an AD or 'manager' is one of the most pathetic jokes in the TEFL field. Anyone who has been in the TEFL arena for a number of years (and has been a manager) should know exactly what I'm talking about.



TED

[PanamaTeacher]

Ted: Don't be shy; tell me how you really feel.

[johnslat]

Dear Ted,
Mama mia - I'll admit I'm impressed by all the decorations. But if this fad catches on, the forum's going to look like a Christmas tree pretty soon.
It's true, in my opinon, that observatons are a joke, but unfortuately they're one I think many of us will have to live in most teaching situations.
Regards,
John
P.S. Lesson plans are another ( I'd say ) joke - although not for many new teachers, I guess. But anyone who's been in the biz for a while knows they're not only unnecessary and a waste of time, but they almost always never work as written. While classes should have some " structure ", they also need to be " flexible ". In my opinion, the syllabus IS all the lesson plan you need.

[M@tt]

In my practicum, I was observed by a very experienced teacher and was also required to observe experienced teachers (for my own benefit, not to offer comments) and observe peer teachers in the practicum, giving feedback to them.

I'm not sure my feedback to my peers helped them much, but they were very appreciative that I actually paid attention and offered suggestions (in a non-threatening way). We were all in the same boat and had to take turns observing each other so it was a different situation from the one you're in.

What I would really like to say is that the discussions I had with the experienced teacher who observed me (three times) were the most rewarding experience of my entire MA program. If I could have done that every week for a year, I would have gladly submitted myself to it. I think observations depend on two things--the experience/insight of the observer and the attitudes of both the observer and the teacher. In my case, I was fortunate to be very eager for feedback, and have an excellent, tactful, very insightful teacher observing me. I feel lucky. Observation in this case was entirely for my benefit, not used as an evaluative tool. I second Ben Round de Block's comments.

[PanamaTeacher]

Thanks Matt--Great feedback. I think that if it was not for the local versus ousider thing I wouldn't be so nervous. But people from Panama are very, very sensitive about their English. Moreover, the school has had more of a grammar focus, and I would be more interested in literature, writing and vocabulary because the goal is to get kids ready for the SAT (it will require an essay starting in 2005), as well as the TOEFL.

When a teacher asked me what I recommended for a reading class, I said try starting with a few short stories like by O'Henry or Poe. She had never heard of these guys. That's what I'm facing. The biggest problem is that (as you probably know) teachers get in a groove and want to use the same method and lessons year after year. I love innovation, but I think that is not the norm in countries where teachers are getting $300-$500 a month.

Do you think your experiences would have been different if you were evaluating teachers who were not native speakers? Just curious.

[Marcoregano]

Yes, I imagine that observations can be useful if the conditions are right...especially Matt's experience of the trainee observing the experienced teacher. Re. using literature with young learners....I can't speak for your Panamanians (?) PT, but in HK the kids HATE old western literature. If possible the teachers I know (who teach kids) use local stories, and even better if they're contemporary.

[PanamaTeacher]

Gracias Marco for your comments. I don't know many latin american short story writers. But I'll look into it. The stories can be contemporary, they just need to be at the level of SAT readings.

I love Roald Dahl stories. And there's one by Greene called "A Shocking Accident (or Incident)" about a pig hitting a guy. I just mentioned those two older authors cause I thought the 50-year-old teacher here would know them.

Is O'Henry not common in England. That movie Home Alone is based on one of his short stories "The Ransom of Red Chief." And I love "The Gift of the Magi."

Anyway I'm losing the desire to take on this job cause the money may not be worth all the stress. Reading this forum is making me see that teachers are a diverse group. I am giving my class to the principal in 15 minutes, and now I know a lot more about the difficulties of the job than before.

C ya

[Marcoregano]

Yes, Roald Dahl might work...lots of short stories...(try for eg. the Wonderful World of Henry Sugar collection), interesting, weird and whacky and the language fairly accessible. Even my adult Hongkongers liked reading an extract of one of his stories which was in the textbook....something about his schoolday memories. PT...I'd say don't give up on the new job yet...if necessary just give yourself more time to think. Remember that a good teacher never stops learning.

[PanamaTeacher]

Marco if we can agree on an author maybe I have potential to coordinate. Thanks for the encouragment, I'll wait till I meet the owner before I decide too firmly.

Gracias Chico

[Ted]

I'd LOVE to monitor one of your classes DUDE.

But something tells me #1 You'd be out of a job come the next week after being critiqued by a PRO and would have to find your USA$200/month somewhere else after smelling the pavement, and #2 I would NOT leave where I am now to be where YOU are now unless thousands of US DOLLAHS were involved.

TED

[guest of Japan]

Panama Teacher, change your way of thinking. You are not judging them as individuals or teachers. You are judging them on what they do at work during that particular hour.

To do this you must ask the teacher you are observing to clearly state the goals of the lesson. If you find the goal of the lesson to be satisfactory then concentrate your observation on how the teacher tries to reach that goal. If any positives or negatives stand out outside those goals take note and talk about them, but don't try to fix the teacher. Just try to help the teacher realize their own goals for that lesson under those circumstances. If the teacher has other problems with other classes he or she will be able to reference your meeting and make appropriate changes if she or she is concientious. If the teacher is not concientious then rip him or her apart.

[PanamaTeacher]

Thanks Guest--Excellent Advice. It's perfect.

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Ted--I'm sure I don't measure up to your standards. Do me a favor, tell me what to look for in a good teacher (like you, obviously) so that I do the evals correctly. Thanks in advance.
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Thanks Sunaru--you've got it almost right. You are basically correct in pointing out that I think I can do it. After boot camp I can do anything. Airborne!! (I wasn't--just thinking about those 5:00 am runs in Carolina; I was in the 3d AD in Germany. You?) Going on instinct, I think I can tell a good teacher from a bad. Reading your posts, you sound like a great teacher.

Problem is that I will wear two hats, teach SAT classes and coordinate all English classes. I don't want to lose the easy money--SAT classes, just to get the extra bucks--coordinating. Also the school is one of two Jewish schools here, and I don't want to hurt my reputation in the somewhat clannish Jewish community here in Panama; many are wealthy and make up 50% of my private classes. So, I'm worried about killing the goose to get at the golden eggs instead of being patient.