My First Day as a TESOL Teacher

Tai'an

20.03.2008 - 20.03.2008 15 °C

Hi All

I survived my first day of teaching in China!

What was it like?

The Classrooms
Well the classrooms are concrete floors with no coverings. The desks are basic timber desks. It was freezing. I really can not explain how cold it is in the classroom. My feet are like ice even though I had socks and boots on. Today I am wearing 3 layers. Yesterday I wore 4.

The Students
I have 11 students in my class. Apparently I do not know how lucky I am. These students have all been selected on scholarships to go to Singapore. I have 5 girls and 6 boys. They range from 16 -21 years of age. There English is great. I have these students from 8 - 12. Each lesson is 45 minutes. After the first period there is a 10 minute break, the second 25 minutes, the third 10 minutes and the last period goes for 1 hr. I will ask the students if I can take their picture and will email. Then you can also get an idea of the classroom.

When they arrived at the classroom today none of them had their workbooks. So I had to think on my feet. Here I am my first class and need to work out how to improvise. I learned to write on the blackboard. The boys would wipe it off for me after each period.

All in all, they are great people. And we have lots of laughs.

Until next time........

Cheers
Bettina