Teaching English Abroad

[machine cat]

Ive not come across Superkids yet but it sounds shite, i really feel for these poor sods here sometimes, they spend so long trying to learn so much stuff which is essentially shit, stuff like calling people "fellow" and finding out what a "fish maw" is.
I do fucking hate that 'side by side' book though, you're teaching little kids the basics like "Jim walked down the road and met a little boy" then it throws in "the boy was very obnoxious" so then you've got all these little kids walking round dropping obnoxious into every sentence

Superkids is alright when it comes to letters and sounds, as RD mentioned. I've just spent an hour of each class today spending time on them and corrcting the mistakes they learn during the week. If I see another 'i' written like a 'z' with a dot above...

I agree that 'Side by Side' sucks. Although i've only taught from book 2. I think it's awful that half a unit is simple questions and answers and then the rest of the Unit consists of complicated reading exercises.

 

[chooch]

The person I mentioned is from the US, and loves to talk about how 'British' English is inferior to American English. In Yorkshire it is also considered bad use of language... at least by me.

Bad use or entirely harmless slightly non-standard British English use? What about 'us' for 'our'. That bad?

 

[machine cat]

I suppose it's entirely harmless to most, but it still annoys me.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

I also hate the way the Chinese teachers train them to write their small rs like vs. Some people are of the view that foreign teachers shouldn't bother teaching the children to write etc, as that should be left to the Chinese teachers. That would be fine, if it wasn't for the fact that so many Chinese English teachers teach them incorrect stuff.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Another shite book, just to show I'm not biased against US English, is fucking Look, LIsten, Learn.

 

[chooch]

I suppose it's entirely harmless to most, but it still annoys me.

Why? As long as it's consistent, unambiguous and intelligible in context, who gives a fuck?

 

[jbob]

Hmmm... food for thought, I guess. But I do really fancy the idea of teaching stuff like English literature though.

RD, I'd suggest that you gain some experience in teaching in a secondary school before you commit to the PGCE. I did a couple of months of GCSE and A Level, and have to say that the notion that teaching Eng Lit involves a creative approach has all but vanished. It is literally spoon feeding answers for exam papers; not very inspiring for either student or teacher. Oh and the kids, for the love of God, the kids . . . A level was okay, but GCSE was 35 minutes out of 50 performing crowd control. I decided it was not for me; I guess it could be different if you plan to head out of the country again as soon as possible, but it'll be a couple of years of hell before you can!

(All the above was experienced at a good state secondary with experienced teachers, btw.)

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

Yeah I may end up going for the Primary PGCE if poss as that is where I have experience in teaching...

Disappointing about the spoonfeeding. That is exactly what we criticise the Chinese for!

 

[fela fan]

teaching is all about acting. if you can get the kids to believe your bullshit then you're halfway there

Agreed to an extent, but don't leave out adults. I've taught three hours to kids in 15 years.

The real fun is to be had with adults in this kind of teaching.

 

[kerb]

Would it be advisable to do a TEFL course beforehand for someone who hasnt had any teaching experience?

ive looked at the prices and its a wafty £900 but on the flipside theres 120 hours experience which i wouldnt have if i decide to do this

 

[purves grundy]

Would it be advisable to do a TEFL course beforehand for someone who hasnt had any teaching experience?

ive looked at the prices and its a wafty £900 but on the flipside theres 120 hours experience which i wouldnt have if i decide to do this

You'd prefer to teach without a CELTA? You'll severely limit the jobs open to you and classes will be unrewarding for both you and your students. Having said that, there's always places that want English speakers to 'teach', usually in Asia, who will take you whatever you have (although you'll often need a degree for visa reasons.)

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

In my experience most places only want a Degree.

That said, I never would have had the confidence to come out and teach in the first place if I hadn't done the CELTA.

 

[kerb]

thats exactly what i was thinking.

i have a degree so visa isnt a problem but ive never taught, have no experience although i have seen teaching assistant jobs so i wouldnt have to take a class on me todd.