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Author Topic: Your first time teaching...what was it like?  (Read 4736 times)

Offline Emjay

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Your first time teaching...what was it like?
« on: June 14, 2011, 06:56:15 pm »
Hey guys!

When I took the TESOL course and did some practical training, I was conviced that this was what I wanted to do. Teaching was for me! I was confident, was good with my 'students', I was clear, and I made it fun! I was so ready to do this!

I went to church this past Sunday, and was called up by the Minister to read a passage from the Bible. I had exactly 3 minutes to get myself together and find the passage before I had to start reading. He said "By the time this hymn is finished, you will read". I was totally caught off guard. While up there reading, I could hear in my voice that it was trembing. I sounded like a 3rd grader, reading slowly and stumbing on my words, and everyone there knew I was leaving to South Korea soon, but to them I was terrible (or so I assume. I just think I could have done a bit better knowing that I'm about to be a teacher. I think they thought the same)! It was aweful and I'm sure most of them though that I should rather stay in the country.

But anyway, I got over it and moved on.

I would like to know how many teachers had the same experience when teaching for the first time, especially those who have no teaching experience and/or never did the TESOL course. How was your nerves? Did you handle it well? Were you shaky? Did you feel you have too many eyes on you and you're scared you might mess up?

I'd also like to know what is usually done in the very first lesson. Is it like an introduction between students and teacher where you get to know each other? What did you teach?
« Last Edit: September 02, 2011, 12:25:11 pm by Ectofuego »
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Offline Morticae

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2011, 07:15:52 pm »
No experience before I came. I don't like public speaking, and still do not like public speaking... but teaching is different. Just doesn't feel the same as public speaking, it's much easier. I teach my classes alone, solo, since day 1. A bit awkward when I was immediately given a 45 minute class to "introduce" myself having prepared nothing!

I'm always nervous in public speaking, but not teaching! I've only been nervous teaching a few times:
1) First time I came here
2) After returning from a long break & the start of a new semester [I just feel rusty]
3) Open class

I'm sure after a day of teaching your nerves will be gone. You're teaching kids, or teens (in my case). They are younger than you, don't bother feeling nervous! I never feel like they are judging me.
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Offline kckenney1

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2011, 07:38:12 pm »
My first week I had an all about me PPT to present to the class. My students loved it and your's will too because for the most part (I'm not saying all) they are fascinated by you. Show them your family, your friends, the town you came from maybe a little trivia about your country they are very interested even if they don't act like it! After that I had them make name cards and gave them each a number because it is going to take a long while to learn all of their names. Good luck!
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Offline She Follow Me

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2011, 07:48:54 pm »
Not so good. I was really nervous.

Finished up in about 10 minutes, apologized, and left the room...
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Offline Emjay

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 08:24:01 pm »
Quote from: Morticae on June 14, 2011, 07:15:52 pm
No experience before I came. I don't like public speaking, and still do not like public speaking... but teaching is different. Just doesn't feel the same as public speaking, it's much easier. I teach my classes alone, solo, since day 1. A bit awkward when I was immediately given a 45 minute class to "introduce" myself having prepared nothing!

I'm always nervous in public speaking, but not teaching! I've only been nervous teaching a few times:
1) First time I came here
2) After returning from a long break & the start of a new semester [I just feel rusty]
3) Open class

I'm sure after a day of teaching your nerves will be gone. You're teaching kids, or teens (in my case). They are younger than you, don't bother feeling nervous! I never feel like they are judging me.

Seemingly I have the same problem with public speaking. But as you said, it's different and I'll be fine. Thanx!

Quote from: kckenney1 on June 14, 2011, 07:38:12 pm
My first week I had an all about me PPT to present to the class. My students loved it and your's will too because for the most part (I'm not saying all) they are fascinated by you. Show them your family, your friends, the town you came from maybe a little trivia about your country they are very interested even if they don't act like it! After that I had them make name cards and gave them each a number because it is going to take a long while to learn all of their names. Good luck!

Great!  :D I think I'll do exactly what you did! Especially the name and number thing! Thanx for your help!  :)

Quote from: She Follow Me on June 14, 2011, 07:48:54 pm
Not so good. I was really nervous.

Finished up in about 10 minutes, apologized, and left the room...

I must admit, picturing someone do this is a bit amusing  :-X It must have been totally aweful!  ??? I'm sure you're at it now, probably thinking "what the hell was wrong with me!"  :P
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Offline Jyang486

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 08:41:07 pm »
Oddly enough during practice runs, 2 to be exact, in front of my peers at orientation I was nervous as hell.  But I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be in front of the students.  I did the introduction powerpoint as well, with the classroom rules, info about me, and where I am from.  I can only remember one time I was nervous, and that was indeed the open class.  Damn those open classes with the principal, vice principal, 3 English teachers, other teachers who didn't have class, and a worker from the office of education.
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Offline SpaceRook

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2011, 08:44:41 pm »
I sometimes get anxiety before teaching, but it's not the same as "public speaking nervousness."  It's more like, "Do I have enough material to last me 45 minutes?" type nervousness.  Usually it goes away after I teach a lesson for the first time.

During the CELTA, though, *that* was a nerve-wracking time.  Every lesson you're being watched like a hawk by your trainer and your fellow CELTA students.  Plus, there was none of the wingin' it aspect that occurs in so much of real teaching.  You had to have your entire lesson organized according to the theories you were learning in class.  Also, since it was my first time teaching, my language level was waaaaay too high and waaaaay too fast. 

Anyway, I don't get too nervous speaking in public these days.  My god, if I could give a speech in normal English, I think I'd feel like Michael Jordan playing in a slam dunk contest on the moon. 
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Klogical

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2011, 09:02:52 pm »
german year 8 uk high school (so thats um 13-14) ...rough area in northern england,, teaching practice 1 .............   

we were doing present tense, and hobbies, -

kids cudnt stop commentin on the sweat i was kicking out on a cold rainy day in october

i dunt even know if it went to plan or not......all i know is it drained every speckly of energy out of me!!
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Offline shaunabrowne87

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2011, 09:08:27 pm »
After 18 months I'll still never forget my first day.  The students thought I looked hilarious ( I have white skin and red hair), I couldn't even find the classroom and when another teacher pushed me in to my classroom, the students all looked alike so I couldnt remember their names.  I was horrible! I've been at the same school since though so I just I've slightly improved!!!!!
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Offline kiraaso

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2011, 09:17:36 pm »
During my first class, I was surprised to hear my voice resonate throughout the classroom.  I was no longer the painfully shy and socially awkward Kiraaso, I became Kiraaso Teacher.   For the first time, I was the center of attention.  I felt like a star with these cute kids laughing and smiling with me.  I felt loved!  Being a teacher has given me the opportunity change my identity from a quiet and selfconcious person, to outgoing person and high energy. 

Being a teacher has given me the opportunity change my identity from a quiet, calm person, to outgoing person with a high energy teaching style.  Away from my students, I’m back to a wallflower, but in the classroom I feel so free. 

My first lesson was 15 minutes of my co-teacher discussing classroom rules 10 minutes of my self-introduction (PPT with pictures), and 15 minutes of an icebreaker.
Other first lessons were five minute introductions with PPT.
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Offline taeyang

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2011, 09:19:45 pm »
i will never forget my first class as a teacher. i mumbled saying "annyeong hasseo" to a class of fifth graders, and awkwardly walked up and down the rows after being prompted by my co-teacher.... ugggh.

on the other hand, when my co. told the students about me, he explained about the teacher before me leaving so suddenly because her grandfather was "sick". in that same first class, one of the students cheered quite loudly when they found out she wasn't coming back hahaa.
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Offline heyitslep

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #11 on: June 14, 2011, 09:23:26 pm »
Thanks Op. Here I was, doing pretty darn well forgetting that awful first day, pointing at a google maps picture of the United States repeatedly yelling "I am... American!"
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Offline Emjay

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2011, 09:59:42 pm »
Quote from: heyitslep on June 14, 2011, 09:23:26 pm
Thanks Op. Here I was, doing pretty darn well forgetting that awful first day, pointing at a google maps picture of the United States repeatedly yelling "I am... American!"


WWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! That was so funny!  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :D :D :D :D :P :P :P :P No, thank you  ;) reading everyone's comments made me a bit nervous (although I shouldn't be), and you just lightened my mood!

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Offline Death Walrus

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2011, 07:28:12 am »
it’s interesting. public speaking is much less nerve-wracking when you’re doing it in front of people who don’t know English. it’s freeing in a way. to them, everything you say sounds correct and proper. this makes public speaking easy as pie here.
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Offline #basedcowboyshirt

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2011, 07:32:31 am »
My first day of teaching:

I had spent the night at someone else's apartment the night before, which is about 30 minutes from my place. I woke up extra early to get home. Came home to find my refrigerator had broken and flooded my apartment. Desperately tried to get dressed while cleaning that, etc. Ran to my school, sweating buckets. Arrived five minutes late. Came in, shirt see-through with sweat and humidity, face literally dripping a puddle on the floor.

Then had to teach a class. Still out of breath from running.
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Offline Gunpo_Erin

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2011, 07:34:11 am »
my first day was horrificlly funny.  I was alone in the classroom( i was at a hagwon) and I had 15 kids staring at me. then one kid farted and we all started giggling hysterically!

just remember they are kids and are going to be so curious about you!  Breathe.  They won't eat you! or hurt you!
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Offline bonsaitreehugger

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2011, 07:35:02 am »
Very, very painful.

I also didn't have any experience before I came.

I cried afterward.
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Offline nels6138

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2011, 07:47:01 am »
I figured, since it was my first day, I would have like fifteen minutes to introduce myself and then the co-teacher would take over. Well, I introduced myself to my middle school class, took maybe ten minutes, then looked over at my co-teacher to be like, okay, all yours! She just smiled and nodded. I was on my own. So we played a some what painful Hangman and Simon Says for thirty five minutes.

In your About Me introduction ppt, include pics of your family, home town, and pets. I found funny pictures of my cat and dog and the kids loved it. I also turned it into a guessing game after the first couple of times. Have them guess where you're from, then show them a map, the flag, etc. I showed them a picture of each of my family members and had them guess who that person was. It gets the kids involved instead of just listening to you. It also takes up more time!
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Offline Kingeudey

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2011, 07:53:34 am »
Now matter what, you need to consider a few things.
Firstly, it will get better the more you do it.  It won't necessarily get easier, but it and you will get better.

Secondly, as my old principal in the U.S. said upon my first year of teaching, "Don't worry.  New teachers are typically so bad for the first couple years that they should pay the school district to work there."  (And it's kind of true.)

Third, with those two things in mind, just do your best, plan, plan, and plan, and be ready to change and adapt those plans at a moments notice (especially in Korea).

And Lastly, if you're looking for immediate positive feedback, this profession might very well be the last place you should look and that makes it difficult.  You may not get a peep out of a student even after trying everything you could think of and 3 or 15 years down the road you may get a visit from them saying how much the things you said or did meant to and or for them, you just don't know.

Teaching is brutally hard because you literally face nothing but critics with very little positive feedback and yet you are supposed to be able to assess not only your performance, but the aptitude, ability, and rate of acquisition of your students. 

Do what you can, be as positive as possible, and keep on truckin'.  As long as you are self reflecting and doing what you can to get better at what you do, then you very likely are.
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Offline kayun

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Re: Your first time...what was it like?
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2011, 07:54:50 am »
I came to teach straight after i graduated with no 'real' experience, i had done placements, but it was completely different to this ... so i was very nervous on my first day ..
Il never forget it .. when we pulled into the school.. i could see hundreds of students all staring out and plastered to the windows ... i got out the car and a tonne of students ran up to me and started touching and pulling .. lol.. so embarrasing .. 

and per usual.. first day is introduction day .. i had 6 classes on my first day, each class using the same 'All about me' powerpoint, same questions > i was red throughout the whole day .. from the constant staring and touching and questioning .. hahaha ...

im 9 months in now .. and still occassionally i'll get red during a lesson, or during a teachers dinner but then it'll fade after a few minutes ..
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