When signing your contract normally it is indicated as to the amount of hours expected of the teacher for classroom preparation time. Regardless if you find that it takes you only 30 minutes to prepare for certain classes and perhaps more for others, if a designated amount for time is assigned it is thought that each and every second should be used.
My previous employments in this field expected me to spend a minimum of 90 minutes classroom preparation time for a course load of six classes. Certainly, just preparing my folders and writing the day's course book pages to be used in class took up at least half of this time. However, when originality came in I often found that at least 45 minutes minimum per each class was needed. Unrealistic to some degree if you have classes back to back and of course depending on the course material being used for each class, times may vary.
Nevertheless, whether you are a veteran ESL teacher or are just beginning success, in the classroom largely lies in your ability to be well organized and willing to learn along the way, either from your peers or from resource materials on what you can do to make your courses vibrant and effective. As we read in last week's article, The Joys and Tribulations of Teaching, patience, perseverance and time will tell if teaching English is for you.
However, part of making the experience a successful one is taking the time to really look at the workbooks provided for your classes. Go through each and every page, see if there are any books which accompany it and again, look through those ones too. Don't be shy; ask your co-workers if there is something that you don't understand. You may not realize it, but a lot of the material being used sometimes needs clarification, especially if the material is out-dated. The latter is especially a reality in countries like South Korea where their resource materials is sometimes over ten years old and more times than not only one or two books exists for a teaching staff of 5 to 10 teachers.
If you find that despite utilizing the material at hand you have more than 15 minutes left at the end of class don't fret. This is an opportune time to really make a difference in your class by implementing games and course work that will exemplify what you have just taught. A host of resource materials exists both at your school and on the internet to help you find what you are looking for. Sesame Street and Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Program are websites that has activity centres for children and adults alike. They provide ideas and games alike for teachers and parents to help educate their children about various aspects of education.
Whether you looking to teach A, B, C's or to illustrate ideas on how to help endangered animals these websites are available from anywhere in the world via internet. In the past I have even had my elementary school children write letters to Preservation Organizations, such as The Rainforest Site and so forth. In turn, the company responded by sending me an information pack along with activities for me to implement in future lesson plans.
Therefore, as daunting as lesson planning can be at times, it is also an opportunity to really delve into your work and help your students learn English effectively. Fun is the name of the game and what better way to help your students learn than by bringing an element of joy into each lesson plan. Taking responsibility for your students' failures and successes can only help improve your skills and abilities as a teacher.
Read more in this week's blog, The Perfect Lesson...
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