As a new teacher many years ago, I found the day before the first day school began to be one of nervous energy and a sleepless night. The classroom decorated, class lists ready, first day warm-ups and ice breakers set up and conveniently located, I am ready. Bright and way too early the next morning twelve year old seventh graders file in on what will become the quietest day of the school year. We size each other up. The fellow slouching in the second to the last seat will be trouble, best learn his name quickly. Young lady smiling sweetly in front row, eager to please. Aha, an ally, another name to remember. And so it goes. Teachers and students doing the beginning of the semester dance jockeying for power, acceptance, and ultimately in the teacher's case, control. Studies have shown that school children generally have two concerns in regard to their new teachers: will he/she like me, and how much homework will I have to do. This could ostensibly be generalized to the ESL classroom. In many ways students entering an ESL classroom bring with them the same fears that they harbored in their early school years. "Will I be able to do the work?" "Will the teacher embarrass me?" I've found that the more invested I am in my lesson plans and curriculum, the more difficult it becomes to make those all important connections with my students. As teachers we do a delicate balancing act with a finite number of instructional minutes and the sometimes fragile egos of a diverse collection of English learners. I have come to the conclusion that the investment of these initial minutes in goodwill, will pay great dividends down the line both in student attrition and overall success. Instead of doing the impersonal role-call at the beginning of the first night of class, we will play a game. We will go over the syllabus, but after I tell a little about myself. In the initial sizing up period, I hope students decide that this is a useful and safe place to learn English. It doesn't take long to make this choice. The experts tell us that in a job interview results are probably decided in the first two seconds. And it takes less time than that to remember to smile.
Comments
mceupc
Dear Cheherzad,
We think your talking point is very opportune and relevant.
The First Week of School is usually full of great expectations, but it can bring out some fears, disappointments, alike. In our view, to avoid (or, at least, reduce...) this negative side, teachers should be aware of how important it is to define some rules and provide their learners with the necessary guidelines towards affective and cognitive objectives. They also must show real commitment to getting to know their learners, their needs and interests.
Once a solid, friendly atmosphere has been created, the teaching/learning process will be more likely to develop confidently and more successfully.
Best regards,
Mª do Céu
englishhh
I think all these comments could be useful specifically to new teachers. I also remember my first day of class. I was so nervous and I want everything to be controlled... I remember a lot reviewing my lesson plan...
I think the first days are to analyse each other. All depends on the first image that the kids have about you and also in the other way. If you are very kind they will talke advantage of you, but if you are too rude they will freak out. Also, you listen about teachers comments.. E.g. This kid has this problems; becareful with this other kid etc.But later you learn how to manage it and is fun. Some great days and other that you wish you could quit. But I think all jobs have the same stress.
Nice reflection... :)
Liliana Rodriguez Vega
"I think luck is the sense to recognize an opportunity and the ability to take advantage of it... The man who can smile at his breaks and grab his chances gets on."
S