Ok I've done the TEFL thingy and I'm now ready to step into the real world. I've been to Training Express and have been offered 9 hours (comfortable start) starting next week at Caja Madrid. I guess they got a huge push going for English so they need loads of teachers. So far so good, I stop by pick up my books schedule etc go home and being a good boy I start reviewing.

Well that's when I start to panic. the book (International Express upper-intermediate) is horrible, there is no way in god's green earth I can teach from it. I don't know if its me or what but I find its poorly written and hard to follow. The worse of it is I find the grammer follows no logical order and the expanations are confussing, what if they ask me some grammer question and I can't answer it If they'd allow it I'd use another book but I saw them giving the same book to several other teachers. I'm going to talk to Natasaha at Ttmadrid (still have a few odds and ends to clear up) and get her take on it before I call them up in a mad panic. She used to work for them and may have some suggestions.

Along those lines, I would like to take some private students but only ones localally at first, has anyone had much luck hanging flyers around offer private English lessons. I thought at the train station and and putting notices on the local buildings etc. I don't want to teach kids but I was thinking first certificate etc.
I want teenagers and adults but no kids, any suggustions
rob

Hi,

One piece of advice - if your students ask you a grammar question that you're not sure how to answer, use your innate understanding of English grammar, plus whatever you picked up from your training course, to attempt an answer. Keep it simple and clear. Anything you are really confused about, tell them you'll look it up and give them an answer in the next class. I know you don't feel confident now, but just try to fake it a little. Remember that confident teachers are not afraid to admit they don't have the answer to all questions! If you really feel shaky about grammar, bring a grammar reference book with you to class.

¡Buena suerte!

Marsha

P.S. I´m glad to hear that Training Express is eager to hire new teachers. Let´s hope that that is still the case when I get to Madrid in January.

Found that one out, was teaching the free classes during my TELF and it was an elemetary class, lesson past simple and one of the students asked why Did vs were (did you live in the country, vs were you afraid of dogs) and it was like OH MY GOD, I didn't know and felt like I got caught with my drawers down, I did muddle through and in preparing for the next class (which is today) I found some material which coverd that very thing. PHew!

International Express . . . Mmmh!

I remember using that book and it didn't bother me because I only used the readings in it. I supplied my own grammar sheets and videos for class to break away from the book.

When I taught at DMR COnsulting (Plaza de Cuzco) through Training Express, many students didn't want the book, but we still had to follow the curriculum and we weren't allowed to photocopy it for them either.

There is an honest way to let students know that you don't have the grammar explanation and that is I know why, but my way of explaining it may be too difficult. Let me find a clearer explanation and I will bring in next class. This always worked for me, but the main thing that you have to do is to anticipate questions and get a good grammar book. I highly recommend

A Practical English Grammar
Audrey Jean Thomson, A.V. Martinet
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Oxford University Press (26 Jun 1986)
Language English
ISBN: 0194313425
Our Price: £12.95
Available at Amazon UK

Remember that teaching English is work and that a lot of times you can't fake it. there are many students that will challenge you and will complain to the Director of Human Resources that you are not qualified and you can lose classes. I know that this has happened to many teachers.

So, en fin, overprepare, don't just rely on the book and make sure that you knowyour grammar explanations well in advance.

Shawn

I think the first step to teaching GRAMMAR is being able to spell it in the first place.

Hey, just found this wonderful site. Check it out!

Common Errors in English Usage

This helps a lot with many sticky subjects of the English language.

Enjoy,

Shawn

quote:

Originally posted by Redwood:

But the main thing that you have to do is to anticipate questions and get a good grammar book.

Remember that teaching English is work and that a lot of times you can't fake it.

So, en fin, overprepare, don't just rely on the book and make sure that you knowyour grammar explanations well in advance.

Shawn

I agree with Shawn that overpreparing is a good way to give yourself confidence and get rid of most the butterflies that are playing ping-pong in your stomach. After a while, you'll be able to anticipate student questions, and the surprise ones can be taken care of with Shawn's words of wisdom.

Suerte,

Marsha

I'm actually starting to calm down, I've had sometime to review the material and I'm feeling comfortable. One thing I didn't catch was that I'm teaching the same level/book to 3 different people. It maybe a bit boring but it is a real help to the first time teacher. I only need to focus on that.

At the end of the TEFL course I had to meet with the modorator for a review of the course and one thing he mentioned was that I should take advantage of the extra 4 classes Natasha
offered and use the time to work on areas that I was weak on. It was really good advice. Some things were blindlying obvious like having enough photocopies or having answer sheets, but other things were less obviouis like having some grammar examples ready (i.e. was vs were for example)

Tim,

Let this sink in. This comes from a person who has been teaching for 13 years. Always have examples prepared and look over your materials the night before.

I'm glad that you have calmed down, but in this English teaching business, you have to really work and know your stuff, if you want more classes and private students.

Go forth and prosper.

Shawn

They ended up canceling the classes this week, I still get paid but I was actually looking forward to teaching

Quick question, a while back I say a posting about where you can advertise private classes but I can't find it. It was in regards to suggestions to make it better.

And is there anywhere local you can order books locally I'd like use International Express books but I don't think that Training Express would hand them out (I need elementary and Intermediate)to me since I'm only teaching uppers, and is first certificate is for High Schoolers. I have a lot of teenagers in the building so I'd thought I'd advertise here.

thanks

quote:

the book (International Express upper-intermediate) is horrible, there is no way in god's green earth I can teach from it. I don't know if its me or what but I find its poorly written and hard to follow. The worse of it is I find the grammer follows no logical order and the expanations are confussing, what if they ask me some grammer question and I can't answer it

Actually, I am surprised that you say the International Express is horrible. As a first time teacher, I would think you'd find the book a Godsend since it does a very thorough job of explaining the grammar. Much more so than any other "business English" text book I have seen.

I don't know how you can say that the book is poorly written and that the grammar doesn't follow a logical sequence if you are just starting out teaching English. I think the syllabus is clearly defined and quite logical.

Anyway, the only criticism that I would give International Express is that it is "too easy" meaning that the intermediate level introduces concepts that should have been covered in a pre-intermediate or even elementary level. The levels of the series aren't really true to the Common European Framework for languges.

If you are considering teaching teenagers, especially First Certificate classes, you had better get the grammar down now, before you do so otherise you will REALLY find yourself lost. Also, if I recall, you are American, so it would be in your best interest to know and understand the grammar differences between American and British English and be able to teach them since First Certificate is a British English exam. The students are expected to know the differences between the two varieties of the languages and only stick to one variety during the exam (including grammar differences, spelling and vocabulary).

Follow Shawn's advice. He has given some good suggestions. And don't sweat it. TEFL courses are good for preparing the first time teachers mentally for the task ahead, but it is up to you to build upon that knowledge and refine your delivery techniques to the students. There is a ton of resources on the internet for teaching. Just type "ESL ..." and whatever concept (teaching/grammar/lesson plans) you are looking for into Google and voilá, thousands upon thousands of pages will appear.

Good luck and don't hesitate to ask your questions here or on the Expatriate Café. There are lots of experienced teachers who are willing to help you out!

As far as book stores are concerned, I don't know what is available in Tres Cantos. My absolute favorite is Booksellers here in Madrid (Fernandez de la Hoz and Plaza de Olavide). Unfortunately they do not have a really good website for ordering online. They have to work on that.

You can order online from La Casa del Libro and have them deliver to you. They have an extensive collection of didactic materials for language instruction.

In third place I would suggest FNAC. If you have a large shopping center near you there might be an FNAC there. I do know there is one in San Sebastián de los Reyes although that is a bit of a trip from Tres Cantos.

If you do find a good place in Tres Cantos for teaching materials, post it here as I am sure other teachers would find the information helpful!

My posting was a bit premature, it was more the thought of teaching from a book I hadn't seen. I've had more time to review and am feeling comfortable with it. I have a friend who has taught English for many years and he said it's all about preparation preparation preparation. If you forgot the book could you still teach the class. I've taken that to heart, there is nothing worse than sitting there thinking "ah, what's next". As well we're meeting for a coffee to discuss how to teach grammar I understand the grammar but I have a hard time explaining it (verb to be in particular) so he's going to go over how he approaches it and just some general tips on classroom management etc.

My classes got cancelled (still getting paid like that one) so I can't report on how it went, and I'm still waiting to here for next week. But it looks like it will be Caja Madrid 8 hours mornings only next week.

Also where can you advertise for private students? I remember seeing several postings about it but can't seem to find them.

Which brings up a good question, what is the purpose of word stress? I can understand intonation, but word stress, in listening to the listening on word stress, I personally can't hear the difference and not sure how I would approach this part with a student, I would think the problem wouild be more pronouncation than anything.

note its page 7 lesson 8 internation express.

thanks

thanks

BTW Redwood, thanks for the tip, I took a look at the book and am going to pick up a copy of it this week. Just called book sellers but its siesta time so will have to call back in an hour

Hi Tim,

To answer that question, please do a search on the Internet or go to a bookstore and find a book that teaches English pronunciation. Get ready to do research on your own, for that's the true way to learn the grammar. Study and have fun. Besides, I am quite sure that was covered in the great TEFL course you did. Go back and study those notes.

Shawn

Word stress is indeed a matter of proncounciation, and it is critical and important to students at an intermediate or higher level of English. It can make all the difference in people understanding them or not.

• desert vs dessert
  
• record vs record (noun vs verb)
  
• contrast vs contrast (ditto)
  
• object vs object (ditto)
  
• thirtieth vs thirteenth
  
• afterNOON vs MORning
  

I really love using English Pronounciation in Use by Mark Hancock, Cambridge University Press (also available at Booksellers). My students love it.

And as everyone has said, doing a search on ESL + whatever brings up zillions of results.