Job Discussion Forums

[tin-tin]

hi,

Im studying a tesol course at the mo and am trying to get some idea of how it operates. I have a couple of friends who taught in korea and in russia and their role was supplemental alongside a native speaker. However the impression im getting from some job ads is that tesol teachers teach the entire curriculum. If you could fill me in from your experience just to gve some idea that'd be sound!

Tin-tin

[spiral78]

At private language schools throughout Europe, you may be anything from a sidekick, as you say, to a total teacher. You may be responsible for designing curriculum, you may have to design or find materials to support each lesson and each different class. You might have materials that are required, or only materials that are available, or none at all. Don't imagine it's an irresponsible kind of job, where you're just there to support the regular teacher - that might be the case in some instances, but it's not at all universal!

I think the 'sidekick' is more common in Asia, but I'm sure others will speak to that, who have more knowledge on the issue than I do.

[denise]

I would go crazy being a sidekick, human tape recorder, dancing monkey, etc. I expect at the very least to have control over my daily lessons and to teach them without an assistant (and certainly without me in the role of an assistant!). I can handle having a required text and pre-determined test dates, as I`ve got now, but for me complete freedom...subject to peer and supervisor support and approval... in which I design the courses, choose the books, and write the tests is ideal. I spent a lot of time and money getting qualified, and I expect my school to trust me enough to let me use my knowledge. I could never be happy in a place that just wanted a smiling white face.

d

[Glenski]

Sidekick is more technically known as ALT (assistant language teacher). Here in Japan, you can find ALTs working on the JET Programme or through dispatch agencies. You can also find full-time teachers working by themselves in conversation schools (where there are no ALTs) and in mainstream schools (where you CAN find ALTs, except in universities).

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

In Canada I was the 'total teacher'.

In Japan I am the 'sidekick'.

[ls650]

[valley_girl]

I teach my own classes here in Canada, thank goodness. I also had a few of my own classes in Korea and Taiwan. However, I had some "co-teaching" classes as well and quite frankly, those sucked. The local teacher did all of the teaching and I mostly was stuck with either doing drills (ALS method, anyone? ) or playing stupid games. I hated it. In Korea, I felt like Vanna - point to the word, pronounce it, and SMILE!