Job Discussion Forums

[Australiana]

Hi there,

I fall into the category of very new, totally unqualified (except for being a mother-tongue English speaker...!), and just hanging on by the skin of my teeth, in the teaching world.

I've just started working with a privately owned language school who offered me work (they came to me) knowing I'm completely inexperienced and have no background in teaching. I decided to give it a go.. assuming that they would be training me up and providing me with necessary materials. HUH!

I have been thrown headfirst into three Scuole Materne with absolutely no training and not a scrap of a material. My 'boss' (who has NEVER worked with kids of this age...) said, in typical laid-back Italian way, "aah.. all you need are some songs and games, don't worry the kids will love you" and sent me on my way. Choke, cough, splutter...!

Problem is, I have very limited experience with kids in general, let alone at school; how they learn, what their abilities are, what works, what they enjoy and especially regarding another language at this age! And what about discipline? In two of the three schools I'm left on my own without their school teacher. I don't want to become a yelling/screaming type teacher, so try reason with them.. err.. yeah right! That ain't working!

The classes are 1-hr long and made up of around 15 children of mixed ages (3-6y.o). That in itself causes problems as the older kids need more stimulation and get bored easily while the little ones can't participate properly in the stuff more suited for the older kids and wander off or fight! The classes are held in the lunchroom or classroom with tables pushed back and chairs in a circle so we have room to move, but apart from a CD/some animal teddy-bears, some old clothes, a ball and a few books I have no other materials.

I managed to get my hands on some truly great kids songs and find that these are working quite well.. but I need more than just songs to fill an hour. Surely? I have bought some story books and even made up my own Goldilocks.. but the kids just don't seem to like stories being read to them, despite me adding as many movements, voices etc to them as possible. They just won't sit still and seem to tune out and fight or run off to play with their toys if in the classroom.

Simple Simon is great for learning the body parts or simple actions like walking on the spot... but I can only stretch it out for so long. I tried 'dress-ups' this week, having read about it on the net, but sadly it was a huge flop.

I desperately need some advice on what works, games that require very few materials (the school won't even allow me to photocopy or print materials and I really don't want to be forced to buy more things myself as the pay is so bad) and that work across the age groups.

I have managed to get through my first week with all of the classes but am really worried about next week and the weeks after. Please, if you have any words of wisdom, ideas, or want to share a similar story, I would be so very appreciative if you would send them my way!

Australiana

[SueH]

Thought I'd reply just to prove somebody was listening... but as someone who also has little experience of little ones, and would avoid teaching them like bird flu. Thinking about your problem and what I'd do only confirmed my opinion!

Depending how long you do this for you might want to invest in a few books. I've got one here called 'Lessons from Nothing' by Bruce Marsland which might be useful. Browse the posts on this site for useful websites as well.

Attention spans will be short and you've already realised you need to get some physicality into their learning. Maybe a bit of competition in groups to wake them up. Scissors and cutting up pictures from old magazines can be used if materials are short. Matching and grouping games, perhaps involving races to see who can get the set first; that sort of thing. Use what's around you in the class. Use realia (actual things - apple,orange,bus ticket, whatever..).

Use songs to get them to listen carefully - "hands-up when you hear the word ***" - you'll have to demonstrate. Perhaps adapt musical chairs to a listening activity - last one sitting wins a small prize.

I'd pose your question on the general board (perhaps you have) where people who actually know what they're doing with kids will be able to help properly!

Sue

[Australiana]

Hi Sue

Thanks so much for replying! I really mean it. It is a very lonely feeling not having any other teachers to discuss this problem with.

I laughed when you said 'avoid them like the bird flu'.. I hadn't been able to word it quite as well myself until then!

Your tips are great and I actually put some into practice today. I can say, with a smile on my face, that today went well! I found a great site on the net which deals with my exact 'problem' and on there were a bunch of games, songs, chants and more importantly teaching tips specifically aimed at the young learner age group. THANK GOD!! That was a saving grace.

I finally started to understand them this morning (the kids that is) and what they want and how they learn.. I know there is still a long way to go but at least I am starting to feel that I CAN teach these kids (even enjoy it!) especially by letting them teach me! Let's hope it continues to just get better and better.

I now just need to arm myself with every game, chant, song and rhyme known to mankind!

Again, thanks very much and best of luck with your teaching!

Lesley

[kattie72]

Hi Australiana,

Read your post and my heart went out to you! We've all been there! Here are some sites for children's activities, crafts, games, flashcards, lesson plans etc that I've found useful over the years. Hope they help.

www.kidsdomain.com
www.bogglesworld.com
www.britishcouncil.org/kids.htm
www.oup.com/elt/local/it/risorse?cc=it

I would write more, but have a 5 month old son who is demanding attention!

Good luck!

kattie

[ewitch]

I've found the following books fantastic and if you are planning on doing this for a while it might be useful to buy them - I bought them in Singapore but I suspect that you can order them from Amazon:

From the Resource Books for Teachers series by Oxford Press:

Young Learners by Sarah Phillips

Very Young Learners by Vanessa Reilly and Sheila M. Ward

Games for Children by Gordon Lewis and Gunther Bedson

[sassysonya]

Hi, I read your post and I can empathise with your situation. I wanted to suggest a website that I have used regularly for the pre-school/primary age group. It has free material that can be printed easily. If you pay the annual subscription of approximately $30 US you will then be granted access to all the materials. The site is

www.eslkidstuff.com

I also teach young children and I know it is a challenge maintaining their interest for an extended period of time. I try to keep things moving having a variety of short activities. You may also want to try dividing the class into teams and using this for behaviour management eg. awarding points to the teams for various tasks and the team with the most points at the end of the week is awarded with a certificate etc.

Have you tried to incorporate a cultural component in your lessons? You might want to teach the children something about Australia by using the topic of native Australian animals- Italian children will love it!

I know this post is a bit late but any info is helpful when you are starting out.

Any questions please pm me!

Ciao

[latte_girl85]

Hi Australiana, my reply comes very late and who knows if you still need help... here goes anyways. If you are working with this age group check out the English Is Fun program. My friend was using it in preschools and said it was fantastic. Made things real easy because the lessons were already prepared and the material too. Hope this helps. bye!