Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I've studied art all my life and Majored in it in College, (as well as Business, but that was my father's idea). People ask me if I regret not majoring in Education, especially now that I've decided to go back to school and get a Master's.

I don't regret it, I use art ALL the time in class. I picture really is worth a thousand words. It's so much easier to draw a flower than explain what is it !

One of my hobbies in college was sign language, AMSLANG as well. I wish I studied it more when I had the chance. but, I've noticed that I use it a lot too. Simple commands like stand up, sit down, open your books, close your books, be quiet, etc. Can all be signed and the kids can associate the signs with English words.

I'm wondering if anyone else uses these things in the classroom, or any other things from your "past life" before you were a teacher. I know that I don't regret what I've studied. It makes me who I am and a well-rounded teacher to boot.

[Capergirl]

Let's see...I've taken one oil painting class and I learned a bit of sign language when I was a girl guide...does that count?

Seriously, I do think that it helps when teaching a second language to use hand motions (not necessarily sign language) and drawing in order to facilitate understanding. I even encourage my students to draw on the board when they wish to know what something is in English or to demonstrate their knowledge about something when they aren't able to express it in words.

[minnie]

hi naturegirl321,

I have worked as a communicator for deaf people (BSL) for the past 3 yrs and have now decided, after doing a Celta course, to teach.

As you can imagine I find it difficult to 'switch off' the signing, seeing as i do it all day (infact ive even been known to dream in sign, sad i know!!!)

Anyway, i have found it to be really helpful when im teaching, especially with beginners. I also studied design at college and found that useful.

p.s. Capergirl, cool funky pic where can i get one????

[Capergirl]