Job Discussion Forums

Taffmonster · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 35

I fly out tomorrow. I will be teaching in Toda and living in Warabi. I know little about either. I feel like I know even less about teaching. I'm working for GEOS and it feels like I've been thrown in the deep end with a lead wieght and a comedy anvil! I will be teaching mainly kids classes but a few sprint 6/7, i really don't feel i know what I'm doing. I've only really practiced teaching print lessons and so the kids lessons seem quite daunting (mainly the older 7-13 kids).

It's wierd I'm not that scared about living in Japan, the train to work is daunting but other than that I'm not to concerned, its the job that terrifies me. I want to be a good teacher, I just feel so under prepared. Maybe thats normal?

anyhow... wish me luck guys, and thanks for the help I've gotten here in the past.

chirp · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 148

Taff,

We all wish you luck!

Try to take all the new things in stride, do your best, and have fun! That is what matters more than anything else.

Have a safe trip!

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

I heard the GEOS training sucks and you're thrown to the fire. Good luck. I think some good advice for people coming over and worried about teaching etc. is to remember to give the students the opportunity to speak as much as possible.

It's not about you, it's about them. The more you're talking, the less they are. Pair work is your friend. Students in pairs or smaller groups have the opportunity to practice speaking and you can monitor. Then go over the mistakes afterwards. Ask your coworkers about "drilling." (I don't mean the playboy stuff either)

You'd be surprised how many people come over here and take forever to learn this.

Like a Rolling Stone · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 872

Hello your royal doodness. My friend worked for GOES and says that the training is not so good. Canuk may be complety right about this. (Yo brother wasup? Cool

) I heard that you should just have lots of activities fort he little ones and keep changing alot. So like you dont have to think that you must teach the kids ALL THE TIME but just let them use the English they know. Best if you have alot of songs and games and keep changinjg all the time. L:ike if you are teching colours get a colouring book and just let them colour pictures ansd say "oh what is that colour? is it red or blue" etc etc Very Happy

okay "stand up" lets sing a song or do actions. Ok lates wlak five steps. Ok "one,two,thre,four" count together Very Happy

Just keepp moving and tlking togeyher. ood luck youmg taffmoster.

Remember Japanese people are more scared of taffmonsters than you are of Japanese. I knowe Taffmonsters are only dangerous when theyu are hungry or cornered or protecting their young but many Japanese dont know. Remember you are a nativce speaker and the best person to teach teh kids so donty worry and good luck.

NorthofAmerica · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Location: Recovering Expat

I hear ya buddy... I arrived a week ago and taught my first classes on Friday. I was never worried too much about culture shock (though it is there) but worried that I couldn't teach. My first class was a nightmare, the kids just wouldn't talk and stared knives at me. After that I settled in okay. It really is about keeping things rolling quickly and BEING PREPARED. You will want something to follow and to stay focused on. If you think you can wing it, especially when you're new, you are most likely very very wrong.

I am about to head out for my second day of teaching and I am arriving a few hours early to prepare some detailed lesson plans. Flashcards are my best friend!