Job Discussion Forums

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

I recall a thread along these lines a few years back and the results (from memory) indicated a heavy reliance on self-made and self-purchased items.
Over time I'm seeing indications of better school-supplied items.
Let's see if a poll gives an indication of a shift towards more responsibility being taken by our employers.

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

My best resources are as follows; the text book series - Face2Face. Subscription site - English 4U, and the free lessons from The Guardian. I voted as 'things I brought from home', but two of these three resources were introduced to me via an employer. I have since bought into them myself so I can continue to use them in other jobs.

Shroob · Joined: 02 Aug 2010 Posts: 1339

I clicked 'Brought from home', but by this I mean the internet.

Could I make a suggestion for another option if possible, 'Colleagues'. I'd still stick with my original choice though!

Miles Smiles · Joined: 07 Jun 2010 Posts: 1294 Location: Heebee Jeebee

For Oral English, the internet can be a great resource. Just be sure that you check it carefully before you use the material. There's a LOT of cr@p available online. I usually introduce expressions, terms and idioms that are pertinent to their course of study. (There are literally thousands to be found online). Be sure to check for accuracy of spelling and grammar.

I've created my own situational dialog scenarios through the years that I've taken from personal experience or from students who tell me about their experiences.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

Your greatest resource as a teacher is your mind.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

'From colleagues' is a good one.
How do I edit the poll?
Can edit my message but the poll bit doesn't come up.
Good comment re your mind. That's a vote for 'stuff devised yourself'.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

I get ideas from the net, colleagues, students, newspapers, and even textbooks every now and then. They get modified and reused depending on the group. Picture files can be used for lots of different activities.

.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

A 'progress so far' look at the poll results shows that teachers are still heavily reliant on their own innovation for good resources.
If we add the 'brought from home' responses to 'own innovation', it shows that good resources provided by employers or obtained locally, are still sparse.

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

You're right D-M, I've had plenty of these types of colleagues.
By self-developed resources, I mean dialogues and games, song lyrics etc. Not just a quick trip to the copy room at 10 mins to 8am to run off something from China Daily!

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

Im kinda guessing that the well-resourced places are all the ones that people often say should be avoided - EF / Web / Wall Street etc etc. Of course, Im nit-picking here really ... Overall though, Id say if you work in a reputable training centre you will have access to sound materials, if you choose any state school option, you wont, or are unlikely to find materials at all.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Yep again right.
I really am focusing on the State sector and should have made that clear in the poll.
I would guess that 75% of FTs in PRC are employed in the State area and newbies are as likely as not to get jobs in it.

Brian Hugh · Joined: 07 Jan 2012 Posts: 140 Location: China

My Chinese English and my English Chinese dictionary and yesterday it flew away from my desk. O well it wasn't the first time. I will get another. Interesting how the different dictionaries translate things.
It is essential for me in talking with the boss and fellow workers. Students I use body language.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Denim-Maniac · Joined: 31 Jan 2012 Posts: 1238

Probably the most frustrating experience with my last employer was with my colleagues. I shared with two teachers who had some student complaints. One was an inexperienced teacher with complaints about classroom management, the other was an MA Ed holder who was inexperienced in EFL with complaints about his materials.

Following a discussion with them I left Jim Scrivener's 'Learning Teaching' on the coffee table for the inexperienced teacher, and my Face2Face students book, teachers book, and classroom CD's for the other teacher.

After noting that they didnt move for 2 weeks and started collecting dust, I took them back. Felt doubly frustrated to hear the same teachers moan about materials / students / employer at a later date.