What is the best country for a first job?
There are many questions to ask yourself. Do you want to arrive with a big batch of new teachers (for the instant social life)? Do you want to choose your own accommodation, or would you prefer the school to choose it for you? Will speaking the language or being able to learn it quickly matter to you? Is being far away from home (e.g. time difference when phoning home and cost of flying back) an issue for you? Most people find that the easiest first jobs are through big chains of schools, in East Asia (for the help with accommodation and visas), and in the EU if you have an EU passport (for the lack of paperwork, being close to home and being culturally similar).
2016年8月10日星期三
guangzhouworlda daily: How can you get more background on a specific TEFL course that I am thinking of taking?
Google the name of the course and then google the names of the people who have commented on it if you have any doubts about them being biased one way or the other.
Google the names of the people and organisations involved with it (e.g. accrediting organisations).
Start a thread in a relevant forum asking people for details.
Ask the course provider to put you in touch with people who have recently completed that course.
Contact people you might want to work for and ask for their opinion on the qualification offered.
Guangzhouworlda Daily: What Do You Do When Your Motivation Starts to Wane
it’s always good to set goals for yourself, but what do you do when your motivation starts to wane? How do you keep the momentum going? That’s where Susan Fowler comes in.
In her book, Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work … And What Does, Susan Fowler applies psychological discoveries to lay out a tested model and course of action that can propel you towards the kinds of motivation that gives you a profound sense of purpose.
Susan has 30 years of experience as a researcher, consultant, and coach in over 30 countries around the globe in the field of leadership. As an expert in the field of personal empowerment, she is the lead developer of The Ken Blanchard Company's Optimal Motivation product line, as well as Situational Self Leadership, their best-of-class self-leadership and personal empowerment program.
Why are external rewards--like treating yourself to a massage, treating yourself to dinner after exercising for a week, or speaking up more at meetings--ineffective when it comes to motivating yourself?
Imagine this: You buy dinner for your family at the local drive-through—burgers, fries, and shakes—with the intention of eating it at home together.
The aroma of those fries is intoxicating and you end up eating the whole bag. How do you feel after downing the package of French fries? Guilty, most likely. How’s your energy? It spikes dramatically and falls just as dramatically. A steady diet of junk food simply isn’t good for us. The same is true for what I call “suboptimal motivation,” such as doing something for a reward or doing something because you feel like you should. It can be enticing in the moment, but it will not lead to flourishing. People with a suboptimal motivational outlook are less likely to have the energy it takes to achieve their goals. Even if they do, they’re not likely to experience the positive energy, vitality, or sense of well-being required to sustain their performance over time.
I know external rewards aren't going to keep me pushing towards a goal. So what will?
Satisfying your psychological needs. Achieving optimalmotivation lies in meeting three key psychological needs that we all have—autonomy, relatedness, and competence.
Autonomy is our human need to feel that what we’re doing is of our own volition. Relatedness is our need to feel connected to others. To feel that we’re contributing to something greater than ourselves.Competence is our need to grow and feel effective at meeting everyday challenges.
Optimal motivation happens when these three needs are satisfied. When a person feels like they have a choice; they’re accomplishing something that’s tied to a great purpose; and it helps them grow. Take the goal of exercising regularly—chances are you will stick with it if you feel like you have a choice, it’s contributing to something greater—such as you being healthy enough to play with your kids—and helps you flourish so you are a happier, more energetic person. The appeal of a massage won’t do that—it will simply wear off.
How can I tell if I'm really motivated to do something before I start?
You can uncover your motivational outlook by doing a gut check to see if your psychological needs are being met. Ask yourself whether or not you have a positive sense-of-wellbeing when it comes to working towards the goal. If you use phrases such as “I have to” versus “I get to,” that’s a clue that you don’t. Do you feel like you’re in control of your choices? Is your decision to work towards this goal based on your values? Does it connect to a higher purpose? Asking these questions will help you assess whether or not you are optimally motivated.
What if I discover that I'm "suboptimally" motivated? Can I shift my outlook?
Yes! You can shift your motivational outlook by aiming to satisfy your psychological needs. Here’s how.
Practice mindfulness. If you have been assigned a task you are disinterested in doing, are only doing for the money, or feel obligated to do, ask yourself why you don’t want to do it. Then with each answer, follow up with another why question. Asking why, why, why helps you peel through the layers of distractions and eventually you figure out that you have a choice (autonomy), can find some meaning or purpose (relatedness), and will learn and grow from the experience (competence).
Align with your developed values. Ask yourself what you value more than what you’re getting from your current suboptimal outlook. If you are about to eat a bunch of French fries, ask yourself what you value more than French fries—such as your health and well-being. If you are about to send a nasty email because someone made a bone-headed decision, ask yourself what you value more than being right—such as building, rather than destroying, the relationship.
Connect with a noble purpose. I was able to go from a meat-loving omnivore to a strict vegetarian overnight—and sustain the decision. How? The shift happened when I was watching a TV segment on how we treat the animals we eat. I realized that I would never eat meat again not because of guilt, shame, or my health; but because I recognized a profound sense of wanting to do my part to make the world less violent and more peaceful. There are few things in life more powerful than making decisions with a sense of purpose.
What's the biggest mistake people make when trying to motivate themselves or others?
Contests. If you’re using a contest to “motivate” people, ask yourself why. If you’re running a contest to attract attention to an important message, or encourage certain behaviors, contests are risky. They distract people from your primary message, shifting the focus to the contest or prize. Consider this: A recent study followed people who entered contests, promising a prize for losing weight. They found that indeed, many people lost weight but within 12 weeks regained the weight, and then some! Instead, take the time and energy to provide a values-based rationale for doing what you are asking of them. Consider how people’s psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence will be better satisfied by doing what you’re asking them to do.
Guangzhou Worlda teacher Tips for classroom
Tips For The Classroom ---John acton Brown
Often we can learn from trial and error, observing others, or good old fashioned teaching. There’s no right way or wrong way, we all develop our own style to learn, and also to teach. Sharing experiences and ideas can help you become a better person.
For the past year I have been teaching at Oxford Kingdom in Houjie. I hope by sharing my experiences and ideas I can help other teachers working in Dongguan.
Some things are essential when leaving the classroom; feeling not only like you did a good job but that you made a difference is key for me. You have to be a realist and know that best laid plans will come unstuck every now and then. To be prepared is to be ready, and ready for action you must be.
1.In full focus
Some days are hot, some days are stickier than a bun factory’s spillage of extra-gummy jam. Some days it don’t come easy, some days it doesn’t come at all. Meat Loaf lyrics aside, you need focus. You cannot walk into any class half-heartedly. Finding the on switch is relatively easy. A smile, a blast of some good music, a stroll around the school grounds; anything to clear you mind and feel fresh. In the domain of teaching, insufficient time is afforded to that best buddy of the educator; relaxation. Daydreaming and doodling have been linked with high intelligence levels and creativity. I like to think all my best ideas have stemmed from drawing fictitious maps and brainstorms resembling that of a biro-inscribed cyclone.
2.Made from concentrate
I hate being ignored. I detest it when I lose one or two students to boredom, tiredness or the pressures of stacked homework that is laid before them. I despise concentration being sapped by distractions. That said, I can understand. Empathy and sympathy are your allies. Your movements and actions will deliver your crowd. Think slapstick or stand-up comedy over standing up straight.
3.Realistic goals
This goes for both students and teachers because why aim too high and totally miss your targets? The level of English in schools or even within one grade can differ drastically. You can’t leave behind any stragglers and similarly you cannot abandon the child geniuses. The fine balance between testing and arduous should sit just above competence and challenging. With experience you can find that titrated line. If 80% of the class is at a level higher than the balance, you can over one semester encourage the inexperienced students onwards with more one-on-one assistance and praise. Their confidence might just need your backing and reassurance.
4.Lesson planning
I love to do something. I hate to plan. That said, a great plan gives fantastic guidance and helps you avoid stumbling into a ravine without a paddle for the creek below. Finding a lesson plan is easy. Then it must be tailored. The end product needs to suit you and you alone. For my lesson plans I slice them into ten key components. 1) Do you have a clear and outlined method? 2) The lesson should be segmented into presentation, practice and production areas. 3) How big will activities be? Teamwork versus pair work or smaller groups of four? 4) Push for student talking time, over teacher talking time. 5) Plainly outline the target phraseology and vocabulary. Avoid clutter. 6) Handouts, activities and supporting materials need to be noted clearly. 7) Is an example of board work necessary? 8) Minimize non-essential skills such as reading or writing when pushing for oral English practice. 9) Ensure the students practice what you have taught them and define how you can check this. 10) Ensure the task pours, surges and flows as required by bringing the matter to life with a great review.
5.Reviews
Perhaps, the only way you’ll ever develop as a teacher is by assessing the level of response from students in a review. If the games or activities are dull then a poker-face laden class will stare emptily until the class bell. If the final undertaking is too difficult, confusion and ignorance will call by for a bite to eat and you’re on the menu! Engaging review games can catch attention. They will reveal how much has been learnt. Using characters from popular culture like those of Super Mario Brothers, the latest boy bands, or famous sport stars will engage your crowd. If it is obscure, you’ll lose the crowd. That said, a personal touch reflecting you and your life can fascinate the gazing eyes. Add life, add personality and add some spirit. I have a class that has nicknamed me Tofu. Since then an entire Powerpoint presentation was based around a dialogue revolving around the food, a fictional superhero called Fantastic Tofu and the new game Super Tofu Brothers. If a particular class embraces something, you can play off it. It may be tedious to you, but dive in with full passion and join me in a method I like to call Teaching with Tofu!
And with those words of wisdom, I end on a quote by The Hold Steady, “We gotta stay positive”.
Often we can learn from trial and error, observing others, or good old fashioned teaching. There’s no right way or wrong way, we all develop our own style to learn, and also to teach. Sharing experiences and ideas can help you become a better person.
For the past year I have been teaching at Oxford Kingdom in Houjie. I hope by sharing my experiences and ideas I can help other teachers working in Dongguan.
Some things are essential when leaving the classroom; feeling not only like you did a good job but that you made a difference is key for me. You have to be a realist and know that best laid plans will come unstuck every now and then. To be prepared is to be ready, and ready for action you must be.
1.In full focus
Some days are hot, some days are stickier than a bun factory’s spillage of extra-gummy jam. Some days it don’t come easy, some days it doesn’t come at all. Meat Loaf lyrics aside, you need focus. You cannot walk into any class half-heartedly. Finding the on switch is relatively easy. A smile, a blast of some good music, a stroll around the school grounds; anything to clear you mind and feel fresh. In the domain of teaching, insufficient time is afforded to that best buddy of the educator; relaxation. Daydreaming and doodling have been linked with high intelligence levels and creativity. I like to think all my best ideas have stemmed from drawing fictitious maps and brainstorms resembling that of a biro-inscribed cyclone.
2.Made from concentrate
I hate being ignored. I detest it when I lose one or two students to boredom, tiredness or the pressures of stacked homework that is laid before them. I despise concentration being sapped by distractions. That said, I can understand. Empathy and sympathy are your allies. Your movements and actions will deliver your crowd. Think slapstick or stand-up comedy over standing up straight.
3.Realistic goals
This goes for both students and teachers because why aim too high and totally miss your targets? The level of English in schools or even within one grade can differ drastically. You can’t leave behind any stragglers and similarly you cannot abandon the child geniuses. The fine balance between testing and arduous should sit just above competence and challenging. With experience you can find that titrated line. If 80% of the class is at a level higher than the balance, you can over one semester encourage the inexperienced students onwards with more one-on-one assistance and praise. Their confidence might just need your backing and reassurance.
4.Lesson planning
I love to do something. I hate to plan. That said, a great plan gives fantastic guidance and helps you avoid stumbling into a ravine without a paddle for the creek below. Finding a lesson plan is easy. Then it must be tailored. The end product needs to suit you and you alone. For my lesson plans I slice them into ten key components. 1) Do you have a clear and outlined method? 2) The lesson should be segmented into presentation, practice and production areas. 3) How big will activities be? Teamwork versus pair work or smaller groups of four? 4) Push for student talking time, over teacher talking time. 5) Plainly outline the target phraseology and vocabulary. Avoid clutter. 6) Handouts, activities and supporting materials need to be noted clearly. 7) Is an example of board work necessary? 8) Minimize non-essential skills such as reading or writing when pushing for oral English practice. 9) Ensure the students practice what you have taught them and define how you can check this. 10) Ensure the task pours, surges and flows as required by bringing the matter to life with a great review.
5.Reviews
Perhaps, the only way you’ll ever develop as a teacher is by assessing the level of response from students in a review. If the games or activities are dull then a poker-face laden class will stare emptily until the class bell. If the final undertaking is too difficult, confusion and ignorance will call by for a bite to eat and you’re on the menu! Engaging review games can catch attention. They will reveal how much has been learnt. Using characters from popular culture like those of Super Mario Brothers, the latest boy bands, or famous sport stars will engage your crowd. If it is obscure, you’ll lose the crowd. That said, a personal touch reflecting you and your life can fascinate the gazing eyes. Add life, add personality and add some spirit. I have a class that has nicknamed me Tofu. Since then an entire Powerpoint presentation was based around a dialogue revolving around the food, a fictional superhero called Fantastic Tofu and the new game Super Tofu Brothers. If a particular class embraces something, you can play off it. It may be tedious to you, but dive in with full passion and join me in a method I like to call Teaching with Tofu!
And with those words of wisdom, I end on a quote by The Hold Steady, “We gotta stay positive”.
2016年8月9日星期二
Guangzhou Worlda Journal: 7 Chinese Food that you Should Try
Guangzhouworlda Jounal will show the seven Chinese that you should try during your stay in China:
1.Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)小笼包
These meat-filled dumplings originated in Jiangnan region in China although they are mostly associated with Shanghai and Wuxi. Xiaolongbao is often referred to as a kind of dumpling but is actually a type of steamed bun or “baozi”. It is traditionally served and prepared in small bamboo steaming baskets which are called “xiaolong”, hence the name.
Xiaolongbao usually has pork or sometimes with minced crab meat in it but there have been a lot more variations recently. The soup inside them are made by using solid meat aspic, meat set in gelatin, and wrapped with the skin. While steaming, the aspic then melts into soup. The most common way to eat them is to first dip in Zhenjiang vinegar with ginger slivers, and then have a small bite at the corner to let the soup seep out to the spoon, finally eat the Xialongbao while drinking its broth at the same time. Be careful not to burn your tongue in the process.
2.Beggar’s Chicken (Jiao Hua Ji) 叫化鸡
There are many legends and stories behind the origin of this dish. There was once a beggar who led a wandering life in poverty. One day, he came across a wild chicken; others imply that he stole it. He decided to cook the chicken with neither tools nor condiments. He killed the chicken, plucked it and wrapped it in lotus leaves. He then built a fire and placed the chicken over it. With the fear of being discovered by nearby guards, he covered the entire chicken with mud thus keeping the smell trapped within the mud.
Since the chicken’s natural juices were trapped inside, it turned to be extra succulent. When it came time for him to eat it however, a travelling noble, attracted by the scent of the chicken, came to ask what he was preparing. The beggar was kind enough to share his meal and the noble found it to be very good. The noble man wondered how a simple beggar could cook such succulent chicken so he asked how he made it. This cooking method eventually spread and found its way to the imperial court.
Over a century ago, a small restaurant recreated this method of cooking, following the said legend. They called it the Beggar’s Chicken and it has become popular to the locals since then. Nowadays, restaurants wrap the chicken in lotus leaves and bake it. There are still others who cook the dish outside using hot coals and covering the lotus wrapped chicken with clay or mud to keep it more traditional.
3.Scallion Pancake 葱油饼
There has been a legend in China that pizza is an evolution of the scallion pancake, a widely famous food in China and Taiwan. It is rumored that Marco Polo missed the scallion pancake so much when he returned to Italy so he looked for chefs to recreate the dish but the chef he found failed to imitate it. The dish they created, however, was praised by everyone who tried it. The chef who created it improvised the dish by adding cheese which turned out to be today’s pizza. This rumor was later refuted by historians though, stating that pizza existed in the Mediterranean, 250 years earlier than Marco Polo’s time.
Congyoubing or scallion pancakes are made from non-leavened flatbread with oil and minced green onions. They are available both as street food items and served in restaurants. There are plenty of other variations to serve the dish by adding bacon, ham, tuna or other food.
4. Shanxi Oat noodles 莜面栲栳栳
Shanxi cuisine is most well-known for its noodles and the extensive use of vinegar as a condiment. The oat noodles are intricately arranged to shape like a honeycomb in a steamer basket. It is served with a chili oil-vinegar dip, simply peel off a strip of noodle and dip it in this sauce before eating. The oat noodles have a mild taste and soft light texture. They are made from naked oat, a grain indigenous to Shanxi province.
4.Sichuan Firecracker Chicken 辣子鸡
Also called as “Chicken with Chilies”, the Firecracker Chicken is a Sichuan dish that’s incredibly spicy. As mentioned, Sichuan province is known for their spicy dishes. This dish may appear terrifying, seeing more chilies than chunks of chicken; however, the spices are only there to add to its flavor and are not supposed to be eaten. The chicken has a crisp and crunchiness with a lot of flavor. This recipe is a specialty of Gele Mountain which used to be a district of Sichuan province.
6. Suzhou Style Mooncakes 苏州式月饼
Mooncakes are usually associated with Mid-Autumn Festival but this style of mooncake is not exclusive for the Chinese holiday. These mooncakes are baked and available all throughout the year. These mooncakes can either be salty or sweet. This style has been around for over a thousand years. The savory types are usually served hot and with pork mince fillings, salt and pepper. It is popular for its layers of flaky dough and crispiness.
Mooncakes were known to be used by the Ming revolutionaries to overthrow the Mongolian rulers in China. The mooncakes have secret messages hidden within them. The messages contained the plan for the revolution which was held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, also the date of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Another way to hide the message is to print it on top of the mooncake which came in packages of four. To be able to decipher the message, each of the four mooncakes was cut equally into quarters and the 16 pieces were put together like a puzzle, thus revealing the hidden message. They then eat the mooncake to destroy any evidence of the message.
7. Red Braised Pork or Hong Shao Rou红烧肉
Red braised pork is a popular and classic dish from China which are cooked with pork belly, ginger, garlic, aromatic spices, chili peppers, sugar, soy sauce and rice wine. The pork is cooked until the meat is ready to fall apart. The long braising process results in a texture that feels like the pork is melting in your mouth. Sweetness is its main component with its thick sauce and tender texture.
1.Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)小笼包
These meat-filled dumplings originated in Jiangnan region in China although they are mostly associated with Shanghai and Wuxi. Xiaolongbao is often referred to as a kind of dumpling but is actually a type of steamed bun or “baozi”. It is traditionally served and prepared in small bamboo steaming baskets which are called “xiaolong”, hence the name.
Xiaolongbao usually has pork or sometimes with minced crab meat in it but there have been a lot more variations recently. The soup inside them are made by using solid meat aspic, meat set in gelatin, and wrapped with the skin. While steaming, the aspic then melts into soup. The most common way to eat them is to first dip in Zhenjiang vinegar with ginger slivers, and then have a small bite at the corner to let the soup seep out to the spoon, finally eat the Xialongbao while drinking its broth at the same time. Be careful not to burn your tongue in the process.
2.Beggar’s Chicken (Jiao Hua Ji) 叫化鸡
There are many legends and stories behind the origin of this dish. There was once a beggar who led a wandering life in poverty. One day, he came across a wild chicken; others imply that he stole it. He decided to cook the chicken with neither tools nor condiments. He killed the chicken, plucked it and wrapped it in lotus leaves. He then built a fire and placed the chicken over it. With the fear of being discovered by nearby guards, he covered the entire chicken with mud thus keeping the smell trapped within the mud.
Since the chicken’s natural juices were trapped inside, it turned to be extra succulent. When it came time for him to eat it however, a travelling noble, attracted by the scent of the chicken, came to ask what he was preparing. The beggar was kind enough to share his meal and the noble found it to be very good. The noble man wondered how a simple beggar could cook such succulent chicken so he asked how he made it. This cooking method eventually spread and found its way to the imperial court.
Over a century ago, a small restaurant recreated this method of cooking, following the said legend. They called it the Beggar’s Chicken and it has become popular to the locals since then. Nowadays, restaurants wrap the chicken in lotus leaves and bake it. There are still others who cook the dish outside using hot coals and covering the lotus wrapped chicken with clay or mud to keep it more traditional.
3.Scallion Pancake 葱油饼
There has been a legend in China that pizza is an evolution of the scallion pancake, a widely famous food in China and Taiwan. It is rumored that Marco Polo missed the scallion pancake so much when he returned to Italy so he looked for chefs to recreate the dish but the chef he found failed to imitate it. The dish they created, however, was praised by everyone who tried it. The chef who created it improvised the dish by adding cheese which turned out to be today’s pizza. This rumor was later refuted by historians though, stating that pizza existed in the Mediterranean, 250 years earlier than Marco Polo’s time.
Congyoubing or scallion pancakes are made from non-leavened flatbread with oil and minced green onions. They are available both as street food items and served in restaurants. There are plenty of other variations to serve the dish by adding bacon, ham, tuna or other food.
4. Shanxi Oat noodles 莜面栲栳栳
Shanxi cuisine is most well-known for its noodles and the extensive use of vinegar as a condiment. The oat noodles are intricately arranged to shape like a honeycomb in a steamer basket. It is served with a chili oil-vinegar dip, simply peel off a strip of noodle and dip it in this sauce before eating. The oat noodles have a mild taste and soft light texture. They are made from naked oat, a grain indigenous to Shanxi province.
4.Sichuan Firecracker Chicken 辣子鸡
Also called as “Chicken with Chilies”, the Firecracker Chicken is a Sichuan dish that’s incredibly spicy. As mentioned, Sichuan province is known for their spicy dishes. This dish may appear terrifying, seeing more chilies than chunks of chicken; however, the spices are only there to add to its flavor and are not supposed to be eaten. The chicken has a crisp and crunchiness with a lot of flavor. This recipe is a specialty of Gele Mountain which used to be a district of Sichuan province.
6. Suzhou Style Mooncakes 苏州式月饼
Mooncakes are usually associated with Mid-Autumn Festival but this style of mooncake is not exclusive for the Chinese holiday. These mooncakes are baked and available all throughout the year. These mooncakes can either be salty or sweet. This style has been around for over a thousand years. The savory types are usually served hot and with pork mince fillings, salt and pepper. It is popular for its layers of flaky dough and crispiness.
Mooncakes were known to be used by the Ming revolutionaries to overthrow the Mongolian rulers in China. The mooncakes have secret messages hidden within them. The messages contained the plan for the revolution which was held on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, also the date of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Another way to hide the message is to print it on top of the mooncake which came in packages of four. To be able to decipher the message, each of the four mooncakes was cut equally into quarters and the 16 pieces were put together like a puzzle, thus revealing the hidden message. They then eat the mooncake to destroy any evidence of the message.
7. Red Braised Pork or Hong Shao Rou红烧肉
Red braised pork is a popular and classic dish from China which are cooked with pork belly, ginger, garlic, aromatic spices, chili peppers, sugar, soy sauce and rice wine. The pork is cooked until the meat is ready to fall apart. The long braising process results in a texture that feels like the pork is melting in your mouth. Sweetness is its main component with its thick sauce and tender texture.
Guangzhou Worlda Journal: 7 Essential Qualities Every Great ESL teacher has
Guangzhou Worlda Journal today will summarize seven essential qualities that great esl teacher will have:
1. Dedication
Put simply, the teachers who care the most, get the most out of their students and their students get a better English education. Dedication in ESL teaching is about putting real thought and effort into every lesson plan. Some teachers here in Guangzhou go to amazing lengths when preparing their classes, putting real thought into what the students will get out of every activity, squeezing every last drop of language from them and sequencing their classes so that the students are challenged every step of the way.
Dedication doesn’t just start and end with planning though. One of the most satisfying feelings you can have as a teacher is helping an underperforming student achieve their potential. If faced with a weak student a great student will work with them outside of the class for even just 5 minutes. That one-to-one time can make all the difference by giving the student the confidence to succeed.
Dedication doesn’t just start and end with planning though. One of the most satisfying feelings you can have as a teacher is helping an underperforming student achieve their potential. If faced with a weak student a great student will work with them outside of the class for even just 5 minutes. That one-to-one time can make all the difference by giving the student the confidence to succeed.
2. Organisation
Writing a lesson plan doesn’t guarantee a good class but it’s definitely the first step towards greatness.
Every class you teach, whether it’s 30 minutes or 2 hours should be planned. That means knowing what you and the students are going to be doing every 5-10 minutes. For each activity ask yourself, what activity are you going to do, how long is it going to take, what skills are the students going to be practicing and where are they going to be- in their chairs, moving around, in pairs, on the floor. Keeping variety to this will help your students get more from the class.
Every class you teach, whether it’s 30 minutes or 2 hours should be planned. That means knowing what you and the students are going to be doing every 5-10 minutes. For each activity ask yourself, what activity are you going to do, how long is it going to take, what skills are the students going to be practicing and where are they going to be- in their chairs, moving around, in pairs, on the floor. Keeping variety to this will help your students get more from the class.
3. Patience
Yes, teaching can be frustrating sometimes. We’ve all had the odd student who can make you tear your hair out. Maybe they’re misbehaving constantly. Maybe they’re really slow to pick things up. Maybe they don’t listen. 99 times out of a 100 this is down to something the teacher is doing in the classroom. Behaviour issue: be stricter (see below), slower student: more help after class, not listening: use a trigger and make activities shorter to keep their attention span.
4. Strictness
The greatest teachers know that student behaviour can be changed to something more positive and they know that big behaviour problems make their classes less effective so they deal with them quickly and effectively. Our teacher trainer here at York likes to think of this like a formula: a perfect class has behaviour issues and the students get 100% from the class. A class with 5 small behaviour issues may mean that students only get 95% of what they could from the class. A class with lots of major behaviour issues means that students only learn 50% of the material. In short- being the ‘bad guy’ every now and again is essential to giving students more practice.
5. Altruism
Not in the sense of charity or buying gifts but in the sense of being concerned for the well-being of your students. In the classroom the students should be the star. You as the teacher should take the back seat regularly so the students get the practice they need. Turn and talks, pairwork, groupwork and mingles are all great at achieving this and can be done with any age group.
6. Fun
Showing a lighter side is essential when working with younger kids. This doesn’t mean being a clown, but it absolutely means: smiling, praising and making jokes. The first step to this is to get to know your students. Personalising materials to the students can make even the most boring grammar come to life “What were you doing last night?” “I was with (student name) playing
(video game that student x likes). Of course, knowing when to draw the line is very important. Too much fun and those dreaded behaviour problems will resurface.
(video game that student x likes). Of course, knowing when to draw the line is very important. Too much fun and those dreaded behaviour problems will resurface.
7. Reflection aka “Evolve or Die”
There’s no glass ceiling on teaching. A class taught 4 weeks into your teaching career will be immeasurably better than your first one. The same goes for a class taught 1 year in, compared to 6 months in. As educators we want our students to learn and learn, but we must remember to learn ourselves. Teaching gets boring if we do the same activities over and over again and rehashing ideas isn’t just boring for us it’s boring for the students to.
After each class take a moment to reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Put a tick next to activities that worked on your lesson plan and notes next to those that didn’t. How could you change that if you had to teach it again?
Better still, being able to take feedback from others is essential. That could be from your teaching assistant, a parent, the students or your DoS. Learn to love observations- remember they are there to help you!
After each class take a moment to reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Put a tick next to activities that worked on your lesson plan and notes next to those that didn’t. How could you change that if you had to teach it again?
Better still, being able to take feedback from others is essential. That could be from your teaching assistant, a parent, the students or your DoS. Learn to love observations- remember they are there to help you!
2016年7月19日星期二
Worlda News: Conghua public welfare teaching
Last week, Guangzhou Worlda International Education has response to Guangzhou foreign expert bureau's invitation, joined in for volunteer teaching in Conghua. Has been rewarded by the government.
2016年7月14日星期四
Tips 2: Chinese Culture, networking and relationship
In China, social and network are big issue to care about in working and daily life. China as an collective society, people will consider relationship between people as an important scale. Having a good relationship with your coworker is more important than your working skill.
In Worlda we have seen teacher and school have misunderstanding sometimes, this is the moment to see the cultural difference. Most of the westerner will insist that "they are right" to defend themselves. But in Chinese culture, who is right or wrong is the second important issue, the more important issue is not to harm the relationship. Shouting and defending is consider "not friendly" in the Chinese people's mind. It will affect the working and cooperating in the future.
So, if we meet incident or misunderstanding, keep a friendly face. Sometimes even if you are the wrong one, if you show a nice attitude, people will forgive you very easily.
In Worlda we have seen teacher and school have misunderstanding sometimes, this is the moment to see the cultural difference. Most of the westerner will insist that "they are right" to defend themselves. But in Chinese culture, who is right or wrong is the second important issue, the more important issue is not to harm the relationship. Shouting and defending is consider "not friendly" in the Chinese people's mind. It will affect the working and cooperating in the future.
So, if we meet incident or misunderstanding, keep a friendly face. Sometimes even if you are the wrong one, if you show a nice attitude, people will forgive you very easily.
2016年7月13日星期三
Tips 1: Chinese Culture, greeting
When teacher comes to Worlda, they will receive a curtural training before they start to teach. It is very inportant to know some of the cultural differences between China and the western country as teacher first land on China.
In this bolg, I will introduce some of the cultural difference to my readers, so that you will not make misunderstanding or embarrassed while dealing with Chinese people.
Tip 1: Greeting
Instead of saying "hello", Chinese people say "ni hao", but I guess most of you know this already, today I am going to talk about the conversation after "ni hao".
Mostly, after "hello" we will say "how are you?", but in China, after saying "ni hao", people will ask "ni chi le ma"(have you eaten). Yes, you may feel weird chinese peole always like to ask people eaten or not. But it doesn'r mean they want to invite you for a meal, many of the westerner will think in this way. They are just asking, they don't really care about you eaten or not, and also not a hin of invitation, it is just a way of opening a new topic. So, don't misunderstand.
See you next time.
In this bolg, I will introduce some of the cultural difference to my readers, so that you will not make misunderstanding or embarrassed while dealing with Chinese people.
Tip 1: Greeting
Instead of saying "hello", Chinese people say "ni hao", but I guess most of you know this already, today I am going to talk about the conversation after "ni hao".
Mostly, after "hello" we will say "how are you?", but in China, after saying "ni hao", people will ask "ni chi le ma"(have you eaten). Yes, you may feel weird chinese peole always like to ask people eaten or not. But it doesn'r mean they want to invite you for a meal, many of the westerner will think in this way. They are just asking, they don't really care about you eaten or not, and also not a hin of invitation, it is just a way of opening a new topic. So, don't misunderstand.
See you next time.
2016年7月8日星期五
Adam's experience in Guangzhou Worlda
There is a big teaching team in Guangzhou Worlda, everyone of them, have their own story. In this blog, we will share some teacher's stories to you guys.
Adam was born in Bournemouth, England in 1984. Before arriving in China he was working in risk management in a financial services company. Adam decided that working behind a desk wasn’t for him, and he packed his bags and never looked back. Adam is currently teaching English and Math in a primary school in Guangzhou Worlda. In his free time, Adam likes working out, going out for nice dinners, playing football, and ping pong.
Since arriving Worlda, what differences have you noticed between China and England?
"The first thing I noticed was the difference of food. Everything here seems to be healthier. Street food and people eating outside is a very different thing here, everything seems like it's a lot more social. Grandparents come outside early in the morning and late at night to do exercise, take their grandkids to school, play chess, tai chi, and other social things. Here is very crowded compared to my quiet little hometown. I’ve enjoyed the hustle and bustle and the experience of getting on the metro during the rush hour. It’s an exciting challenge!”
In the half year you have been living here, how have you enjoyed it?
"The first few weeks were difficult to adjust. The cultural differences, new job, and knowing no one when arriving was daunting. Worlda played a key part helping me settle in to my new city and lifestyle. From the first moment when they picked me up from the airport till now they have been very supportive. The training they provided helped me feel a lot more confident heading into the school. The first few weeks in the school was exciting, however quite difficult. Through the various Worlda social events I have made some great friends who will stay with me for life. My work schedule has allowed me to do a lot of site seeing in Guangzhou, and travel a bit as well!”
How have you found teaching so far?
"The first few weeks were difficult as it was very different from my previous job in England. The support both the school and Worlda offered me helped me overcome any obstacles and I soon began to settle. Since then, I have enjoyed every minute of my new role. I find teaching to be very rewarding, challenging, and a whole lot more fun than sitting behind a desk. The smiles on the kid’s faces makes it impossible to be unhappy, even on a Monday morning. Worlda has always been on hand to offer new ideas, games, and methods of teaching.”
What’s do you hope to achieve over the next semester?
"I hope to continue to improve my teaching abilities and methods. I am confident I can do this with the support of the school and Worlda. I hope to improve my Chinese through my private lessons and the free lessons that Worlda offers to their teachers. Outside of work and Chinese, I hope to continue to see as much of this beautiful country as I can. I hope to travel to Xi’an, Beijing and a few of the smaller cities. The spring festival will allow me to travel to Thailand for almost next to nothing.”
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since coming?
"I think I have noticed myself becoming a lot more tolerant. You have to be prepared for taking time to understand people from different backgrounds and cultures. It has really opened my eyes to the many different ways about doing things. I have more confidence in myself having overcome the huge challenge of coming to China knowing no one and succeeding in completely new lifestyle. America is called the land of opportunity, however China’s rapid growth means that business is booming and there’s plenty of chances to make it big here as well. The decision to give up my comfortable lifestyle in the UK and try something completely new wasn’t an easy one, but it was one of the best decisions of my life.”
We thank you Adam for being a great team leader, teacher, and friend to everyone!
Cite from our home page story:
http://www.worldaedu.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=70
Adam was born in Bournemouth, England in 1984. Before arriving in China he was working in risk management in a financial services company. Adam decided that working behind a desk wasn’t for him, and he packed his bags and never looked back. Adam is currently teaching English and Math in a primary school in Guangzhou Worlda. In his free time, Adam likes working out, going out for nice dinners, playing football, and ping pong.
Since arriving Worlda, what differences have you noticed between China and England?
"The first thing I noticed was the difference of food. Everything here seems to be healthier. Street food and people eating outside is a very different thing here, everything seems like it's a lot more social. Grandparents come outside early in the morning and late at night to do exercise, take their grandkids to school, play chess, tai chi, and other social things. Here is very crowded compared to my quiet little hometown. I’ve enjoyed the hustle and bustle and the experience of getting on the metro during the rush hour. It’s an exciting challenge!”
In the half year you have been living here, how have you enjoyed it?
"The first few weeks were difficult to adjust. The cultural differences, new job, and knowing no one when arriving was daunting. Worlda played a key part helping me settle in to my new city and lifestyle. From the first moment when they picked me up from the airport till now they have been very supportive. The training they provided helped me feel a lot more confident heading into the school. The first few weeks in the school was exciting, however quite difficult. Through the various Worlda social events I have made some great friends who will stay with me for life. My work schedule has allowed me to do a lot of site seeing in Guangzhou, and travel a bit as well!”
How have you found teaching so far?
"The first few weeks were difficult as it was very different from my previous job in England. The support both the school and Worlda offered me helped me overcome any obstacles and I soon began to settle. Since then, I have enjoyed every minute of my new role. I find teaching to be very rewarding, challenging, and a whole lot more fun than sitting behind a desk. The smiles on the kid’s faces makes it impossible to be unhappy, even on a Monday morning. Worlda has always been on hand to offer new ideas, games, and methods of teaching.”
What’s do you hope to achieve over the next semester?
"I hope to continue to improve my teaching abilities and methods. I am confident I can do this with the support of the school and Worlda. I hope to improve my Chinese through my private lessons and the free lessons that Worlda offers to their teachers. Outside of work and Chinese, I hope to continue to see as much of this beautiful country as I can. I hope to travel to Xi’an, Beijing and a few of the smaller cities. The spring festival will allow me to travel to Thailand for almost next to nothing.”
Have you noticed any changes in yourself since coming?
"I think I have noticed myself becoming a lot more tolerant. You have to be prepared for taking time to understand people from different backgrounds and cultures. It has really opened my eyes to the many different ways about doing things. I have more confidence in myself having overcome the huge challenge of coming to China knowing no one and succeeding in completely new lifestyle. America is called the land of opportunity, however China’s rapid growth means that business is booming and there’s plenty of chances to make it big here as well. The decision to give up my comfortable lifestyle in the UK and try something completely new wasn’t an easy one, but it was one of the best decisions of my life.”
We thank you Adam for being a great team leader, teacher, and friend to everyone!
Cite from our home page story:
http://www.worldaedu.com/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=70
2016年7月7日星期四
How to Teach Your Kids
This is an article that cite from our wordpress blog of guangzhou worlda.
https://guangzhouworldablog.wordpress.com/2016/07/06/how-to-teach-your-kids/
How to teach your kids:
here are some tips for teaching kids to learn in a better way:
1. Encourage your kids more often could do a great help with the self-confidence of the kids, and that helps a lot with kids’ learning;
2. Try to keep teaching the kids in a stable pace and make the process fun;
3. Don’t focus on memorization when you teach kids, try to teach concepts, so that they won’t feel bored
4. When they make progress, reward the kids.
When teachers come to teach in Guangzhou worlda, before they start teaching, worlda will conduct teaching training for all the new teachers, to improve their teaching skills, as well as the way to interact with students.
https://guangzhouworldablog.wordpress.com/2016/07/06/how-to-teach-your-kids/
How to teach your kids:
here are some tips for teaching kids to learn in a better way:
1. Encourage your kids more often could do a great help with the self-confidence of the kids, and that helps a lot with kids’ learning;
2. Try to keep teaching the kids in a stable pace and make the process fun;
3. Don’t focus on memorization when you teach kids, try to teach concepts, so that they won’t feel bored
4. When they make progress, reward the kids.
When teachers come to teach in Guangzhou worlda, before they start teaching, worlda will conduct teaching training for all the new teachers, to improve their teaching skills, as well as the way to interact with students.
2016年7月6日星期三
Guangzhou Worlda Facebook
Here is our facebook page of Guangzhou Worlda,our official page.
Want to know more about us and more about the experience of working in Guangzhou Worlda or China, like us on facebook.
We will update our news, activities or even tips for living in China on the facebook page.
2016年7月1日星期五
2016年5月6日星期五
Gaming in the class
"Put the nose on the right place on the face please"
" Well done!!"
"Give me five~!!"
" Well done!!"
"Give me five~!!"
One day Guangzhou tour
One day Guangzhou tour. We visited the famous Yuexiu Park and Guangzhou museum to help teachers learn more about Guangzhou history and culture. Then, a typical Cantonese Dimsum lunch in Banxi restaurant.----14/11/2015, Organized by Guangzhou foreign expert Bureau.
Thank you Jack
Guangzhou Worlda Blog is now set up!!!
Guangzhou Worlda Cultural & Educational Consulting Services Co., LTD
is the Chinese branch of Canada Worlda International Education &
Development Co., LTD. We are a qualified organization of hiring foreign experts
and teachers, with license that issued by Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs. So
far, Worlda dedicate in improving Chinese education and environment, major in
educational and cultural communication and introducing foreign talent and
resource into China. We provide foreign teachers training and management,
primary and middle school English teachers training, primary and middle school
tutorship services.
We will update about our news and status here. Thanks for your following.
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