As I mentioned in my last post, this term, my university only has 2 native English teachers, so I've been asked to teach many extra classes.
The two extra classes that I actually agreed to take on are:
2 sections of oral English for 1st year master's students earning an MA in an English-related subject
2 sections of a basic oral English training course for police officers
I decided to take on the first course because I had already taught those students during the fall semester and wanted to continue the learner autonomy projects I had begun with the students. Initially, my university told me the course would be a year-long course, but when some of the other foreign teachers left early, they told me that the spring semester of the oral English course would be canceled unless I took it on as extra teaching hours. I felt that it was worthwhile to take on the extra work in order to give the students a better learning experience and to continue with the projects since I hope to eventually write about them for research articles.
I decided to take on the police training course because I figure it's always a good idea to stay in the good graces of the local police. Plus, the last time I taught the course, I made several good friends, and this semester is the last time I will be able to teach that course for a long time since I am changing jobs next year. I enjoy teaching students who are closer to my age because I feel like once the course is finished, we can more easily become friends. I have become friends with some of my younger students, but we definitely have more of a "mentor/mentee" role than a pure friendship, so I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to make a few more adult "peer-like" friends before I transition to teaching even younger middle school students.
So in the end, I feel comfortable with my decision to take on these extra courses, but I sometimes feel like I am over my head with the amount of work involved in planning and executing 10 classes a week with nearly 300 students.
I have tried my best not to slack off on providing a good classroom experience and to provide students with adequate assessment opportunities, including homework and big projects when appropriate, but at times, I feel like I bit off more than I can chew.
Still, so far, everything has managed to get done, and I just have to hold on for a few more weeks until the end of the term.
This summer, I am going to take one LONG and well-deserved nap.
The two extra classes that I actually agreed to take on are:
2 sections of oral English for 1st year master's students earning an MA in an English-related subject
2 sections of a basic oral English training course for police officers
I decided to take on the first course because I had already taught those students during the fall semester and wanted to continue the learner autonomy projects I had begun with the students. Initially, my university told me the course would be a year-long course, but when some of the other foreign teachers left early, they told me that the spring semester of the oral English course would be canceled unless I took it on as extra teaching hours. I felt that it was worthwhile to take on the extra work in order to give the students a better learning experience and to continue with the projects since I hope to eventually write about them for research articles.
I decided to take on the police training course because I figure it's always a good idea to stay in the good graces of the local police. Plus, the last time I taught the course, I made several good friends, and this semester is the last time I will be able to teach that course for a long time since I am changing jobs next year. I enjoy teaching students who are closer to my age because I feel like once the course is finished, we can more easily become friends. I have become friends with some of my younger students, but we definitely have more of a "mentor/mentee" role than a pure friendship, so I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to make a few more adult "peer-like" friends before I transition to teaching even younger middle school students.
So in the end, I feel comfortable with my decision to take on these extra courses, but I sometimes feel like I am over my head with the amount of work involved in planning and executing 10 classes a week with nearly 300 students.
I have tried my best not to slack off on providing a good classroom experience and to provide students with adequate assessment opportunities, including homework and big projects when appropriate, but at times, I feel like I bit off more than I can chew.
Still, so far, everything has managed to get done, and I just have to hold on for a few more weeks until the end of the term.
This summer, I am going to take one LONG and well-deserved nap.