Next month, a new wave of foreigners will step into classrooms as teachers for the first time. Some people are excited for the experience and others are absolutely terrified. I’ve got a year under my belt which makes me like half a notch above a brand new teacher, but here’s my advice anyway. It’s just a start, but there are a few things to keep in mind that will help make the transition a bit smoother and your time in the classroom more effective and enjoyable for everyone.
1. Assume You Are Speaking Too Quickly – Unless you naturally speak at Tina Belcher’s pace, you need to pump the brakes and slow down. Think you’ve slowed down enough? Slow down again. You can always pick up the pace later, but if you’re speaking too quickly your students will miss information and feel lost and confused, which is not a good feeling on the first day of classes.
2. Set Rules Clearly on Day One – You don’t need rules on rules on rules, but you need to decide what kind of class you’re going to have and let your students know what expectations you have early on. Don’t want your students to use Chinese? Is it OK for students to use a cellphone? How many absences are acceptable? You really don’t need more than 5 rules, but make sure you CLEARLY communicate what you expect!
3. A Textbook is ONE Resource – Schools have different ideas of what they expect to be covered in class, so DO make sure that you’re clear on what expectations the administration has. That being said, you will likely have A LOT of room for outside material that’s more interesting for your students and you.
4. Watch Your Vocabulary and Explanations – If you are teaching classes 100% in English, which I do and definitely recommend, you will need to simplify your vocabulary for teaching. There are plenty of phrases that I throw around in daily life that my students have no reason to know or understand. If you ask your students “How’s it going?” instead of the traditionally taught “How are you?” you may be met with blank and confused expressions. Most students have only learned textbook English, so keep it simple!
5. It’s OK Not To Have Your Entire Year/Semester Planned – Eventually, yes you should have a general framework for your classes, if only because it makes your life easier, but you DON’T need that for your first day. Your first days should really be used to get to know your students, convince them you’re semi-normal and a functional human, possibly give them good English names, and gauge their English level. Planning lessons, classes, and putting together a syllabus will be ten times easier once you know who you’re teaching!
Questions on teaching English in China? Excited/nervous/confused about what will happen on your first day? Leave your questions and comments below and try not to worry too much!
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