Job Discussion Forums

JLui83 · Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Virginia, USA

Hi guys, I have never gotten a teaching job before. I just want to know what do you do once you are hired on the job? Do they give you material to teach off of or do you have to prepare everything on your own?

I plan on moving to Brasilia, Brazil.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Sounds like you need to do a bit of research. I can't answer for Brazil, but a lot depends on what sort of teaching you plan to get into. High school? Conversation school? Elementary school? International school?

Here in Japan, the conversation schools often, but not always, give you a strict teaching format to follow, complete with materials (sad as they are). Some even give you some meager training. I would have to guess that most don't.

Plan for the worst...that is, that you have to plan everything on your own. This is why many of us shiver when a backpacker type or someone with a non-teaching background decides to step into the teaching fray. Many of us usually recommend a TESL/TEFL certificate just to give yourself some idea of what you are facing and a notion of how to make and present a lesson plan. Best of luck.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

I agree with Glenski. It totally depends on the country, the program and the school. Even then it varies from class to class. You may have a course or guidelines that you are supposed to follow. But you and the students may decide it is not suitable and so you would negotiate the syllabus. Then again it would down to your DOS and if they allowed it or if you stuck to the rules. Every instituition is different. There is no definitive answer to your question.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

Sometimes there are lots of resources, sometimes there are none.

I suggest you ASK potential employers, if this is of concern to you.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 8:24 pm Post subject:

And do some solid preparation- both research and training. As long as you KNOW that you can prepare a class yourself, then it doesn't really matter what the situation turns out to be.

I'm always a little worried when prospective teachers ask me that question, not because we don't have a lot of materials for classroom use, but because it often indicates that they feel intimidated by the idea of planning a class on their own.

Good luck,

Justin

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I agree. They are either intimidated or lazy--in neither case do they come across as good candidates.

tedkarma · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 9:32 pm Post subject:

One of the best things about this career - is the degree of flexibility you learn.

I've taught in schools where you'd better be on page four of the their book - on Wednesday at 3pm - and at schools where you'd even better buy your own chalk - no less have any books or guidance provided.

All in all - I prefer the no guidance and no materials - as you can really analyze the needs of your students and provide them with what they really need and or want, rather than what looks good.

moonraven · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 3094

I will second that.