Job Discussion Forums

[IvanaShaanxi]

Hello,
I have just got an offer from some college in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi. As I have never taught college before (in fact only kindergarden for a year and a half and middle school for 4 months) I'd like to ask you what is the course supposed to be like? How did you manage with making the lesson plans?

I have no experience so I am considering whether I should accept this offer or not

Thanks for your replies

[teachingld2004]

It will not be easy to get an answer to this question. "oral English" does not mean the same thing to each school, or each grade.
As you know from teaching any place, you will not have students on the same level. Some can barely make a sentence, whle others speak well.
You will have students say "I can not speak well" when they speak very good. Then you will have the ones who think they know more then you do.
Making lesson plans is quite hard as it all will depend on the mix. People say teach to the middle, but as you know, you loose the top and bottom students.
Take the job. You will learn from them things and they will learn from you. "Play t by ear". Just do not assume anythng until u are with them for a few weeks, and even then you will be surprised in all directions.
Some people want to teach, while others think a job is just a job. Just expect nothing. Do your best, and if possible make them feel comfortable. You are not teaching TOEIC. Your job may just to get them to talk, and not to say "yes" about everything.
This is not me tryng to be mean. I have taught in universities, and in high school and middle schools in Korea and in the USA. In the USA there are no more levels, there is such a mix that it will blow your mind.
Take the job.

[IvanaShaanxi]

Hi
thanks for your reply and your support

[teachingld2004]

You will be fine. Take the job. I can help you, and I am sure that there are alot of people on this site and other sites that can help you too.
PM me if you want

[doogsville]

In my experience teaching 'oral English' is about encouraging students to practice speaking, listening, and teaching correct pronunciation. Lesson one should be introductions, and having the students speak as much as possible so you can figure out where they are in terms of level. University students shouldn't be as far apart as students in language mills often are, but that's not always the case. They should also be a little more motivated to learn, especially if they are English majors, which means they chose to study English rather than being sent along by their parents.

Try to get some information from the Uni about what they want, but if they can't or won't give it, then just put together what you think is an interesting and enjoyable lesson.
Topics are more important in oral English classes than grammar, though you may have to correct grammar on occasion. Choose an interesting topic like travel in America, or choose a movie and show some clips and ask questions. Talk about different countries food and cultures, role play booking a hotel room or complaining about a broken cell phone. The world is your oyster. Enjoy it.

[GeminiTiger]

I've already said what I have to say about in this thread, yesterday and the day before.