Can I just stress again *how big of a difference a good PS co-teacher makes*? One of my co-teachers is on leave today because her son is going into the military, so the school had a sub come in. Before class, I went to her desk and explained what we were doing--very simple. Parts A and B in the book, and then a worksheet that I'd made on opposites (they were studying adjectives like "boring" and "fun", so it made sense).
She sits in the back the entire time, except for once, when she got up to walk around the room. I even asked her ten minutes into class (while the kids were practicing the dialogue) if she could help translate, and she said she would, but didn't...just sat there. A kid even *threw a book across the room at another kid's face* and she didn't do anything. You'd think that, when you see a foreign teacher trying to reprimand a kid who clearly doesn't know what I'm saying, you'd jump in and help with communication...but she just sat there. I called her up and asked her to explain to him that he had to come on Wednesday from 3:30-5:00, and also to explain to him that even though he said he was striking back at a girl who gave him the finger, unless I saw it, I couldn't do anything...and she nodded, said she would explain it, AND THEN JUST WALKED AWAY. I had to write down his punishment in *Korean*, and I hate to use Korean in the classroom, because the kids then assume that I'm fluent and only try to speak to me in Korean. What is the point of having a freaking co-teacher if she just sits there and doesn't do anything?
And the thing that really got me...at the end of class, she waited for me so we could walk back to the teachers' office together. She was like, "Wow, I'm so tired--that class was really stressful and bad, huh?" SHE DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!!! HOW WAS IT STRESSFUL FOR *HER*??????????????????????????????????///////
I can't wait for my real co-teacher to come back.
-ginger
Ginger - what you do in that situation is quite simple. Get another teacher to write out a translation of the dialogue or whatever else you want translated and get a student to read it. Then the temp CT will really feel like a useless tit. As for the kid who threw the book, take him outside the classroom right away. You don't need to use any Korean to convey that what he did was not on because he knows himself it bloody well wasn't. You could tell him off in Swahili and it would have the same effect (maybe it works better coming from a big, scary white guy - I don't know). Leave him on his knees in the corridor to wonder what might happen if the wrong Korean teacher walks by and, more important than the message it sends to the kids is the message it sends to the new CT - you're in charge and don't put up with crap. She sounds like the type who would rather pretend there's no problem than deal with problems, thereby only creating bigger problems down the road.
Today my middle school schedule got changed and I had to teach my grade 1s without my usual CT. I usually work fairly closely with her with the grade 1s and 2s (she's generally a lot more help than hindrance, as opposed to some of the ones with whom I've worked). I may have been a bit more limited, but it was still quite do-able. Plus, the students have to rely on listening 98% in English and on getting help from the brighter students, instead of relying on a Korean to translate things for them. Having a good teacher would be even better, but in the case of the one you got I'd just as soon do it alone.
Need some tips (please ^^).
Well, I've started private tutoring a student. She's a 3rd year middle school student who is trying to get into a "prestigious" high school. And I guess in order to get into that particular high school she will be particpating in a english essay contest type thing. So, as her tutor, I'm responsible in improving her skills in writing essays. And I've been told her main weakness is grammar. So, I went out and got a book on grammar.
So far, I only had one lesson with her. But how it went was I just read with her materials from the book (of course, added some personal comments here and there), and had her do the practice problems. I did this with about ten sections from the first chapter. I also had her practice brainstorming by making outlines/mind maps. Then practicing writing paragraphs. However, not only did I finish teaching before the 2 hours was up... but I admit my lesson doesn't have much content and seems kind of dull.
I was just wondering if any fellow teachers here had any tips. Lessons or activities to add. I'm not creative at all and I don't really know what else I can teach other than grammar and basic essay rules. Can you guys think of other things to teach for a tutor who's focus is Essay Writing?
Please share
(Also, I already know private tutoring is illegal. I took this job being completely aware of that... so please don't comment about this. ^^ )
It's much easier to improve their organisation much faster than it is their grammar, so start with that.
Ready to Write Iby Karen Blanchard and Christine Root is a good book to start with for paragraphs and book II is good for essay writing. There's a good chance she'll have to write a compare-and-contrast essay for her high school examination so get her working on some essays about that. Don't waste a lot of time on articles and prepositions apart from basic rules and phrasal verbs. Aim towards getting her prepared to write a five-paragraph essay with an introductory and concluding paragraph, and topic sentences for each paragraph. Also, don't correct everything to begin with - just focus on some things that are easy to explain and / or common mistakes she makes.
Posted 18 April 2009 - 11:10 AM
