The Learning Teacher

Somehow I have made it through three weeks of professional practice without having time to write and reflect on my progress. Where I was relatively comfortable teaching ICT on my last prac placement, I have found teaching ESL to be an entirely different experience. For the first time I have been asked to teach without a projector and computer, which has made me realise how much I rely on these tools to deliver interesting content to students. Initially, without these tools I found myself at a loss as to what to do, short of traditional "talk and chalk" teaching. It is ironic though that ESL is probably the subject that benefits most from the use of multimedia!

As a result of this shock, as well as other differences in teaching ESL, I have spent the past three weeks doing a number of different things:

• Learning how to create student-centred lessons that do not rely on in-class ICT (think reader's theatre, group writing, read alouds
• Learning how to engage students with work that is high in academic challenge but lighter in terms of language demands. Although the theory tells us to do this, it is really very difficult, especially with the students who are just starting their English-language journey.
• Learning to assume nothing (which I already knew, but is really, really vital with ESL). In particular, this has made me think about the cultural norms I operate within, and how these are not at all universal. This demands extra attention in order to avoid misunderstandings when teaching those with different norms.
• Learning to teach traditional grammar, geography, welfare and other subjects that are not ICT!
• Learning to engage students who are severely culture shocked and simply do not want to be in the classroom.

In short, it has been a very steep learning curve. However, after three weeks I am feeling much more comfortable in my ability to teach ESL, although I am sure there is plenty more learning to come, both next week (my last) and beyond!