Teaching ESL can be a rewarding but challenging career. You get to interact with students from different cultures and backgrounds, help them improve their language skills, and witness their progress. But it can also be stressful, exhausting, and demanding. How do you avoid burnout teaching ESL? Here are some tips that might help:
Tips for Sanity.
– Set realistic goals and expectations. Don’t try to do everything at once or expect perfection from yourself or your students. Focus on what you can control and celebrate small achievements. Some students are great, some not so much, but you are helping them even if they don’t know it.
– Take care of yourself physically and mentally. Eat well, sleep enough, exercise regularly, and find time to relax and recharge. You can’t teach well if you’re not feeling well. Try not to party too much. It tends to happen when you first arrive in a foreign country, especially Asia.
– Seek support and feedback. Connect with other ESL teachers, join online communities, attend workshops, or find a mentor. Share your challenges and successes, ask for advice, and learn from others’ experiences. Build a network of friends you can talk to about any problems at work. Personal problems will happen and having someone to talk to is a literal lifesaver.
– Be creative and flexible. Try new methods, materials, and activities in your lessons. Experiment with different ways of teaching and learning. Adapt to your students’ needs and interests. Keep things fresh and fun for yourself and your students. Learn new stuff, It makes class life more exciting and fun. Go into your class and focus on having fun and the students will warm to you immediately which will make your teaching easier.
– Remember your purpose and passion. Remind yourself why you chose to teach ESL and what you love about it. Think about the positive impact you have on your students lives and the difference you make in the world. You are helping others achieve their dreams and traveling the world at the same time. Not many get to do this, so revel in the joy.
If Things Get Bad. Do not hesitate to contact me or a professional if you are suffering. There are online services that provide help. You can use this link. I Want to Talk.
What are some fun ESL activities?
Here are some ideas that you can try in your classroom:
– Games: Games are a great way to motivate students, practice vocabulary, grammar, and skills, and have fun. You can use board games, card games, online games, or create your own games based on the topic or skill you want to teach.
– Songs: Songs are a wonderful way to expose students to authentic language, culture, and pronunciation. You can use songs to teach vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, or writing skills. You can also have students sing along, fill in the blanks, or write their own lyrics.
– Stories: Stories are a powerful way to engage students’ imagination, creativity, and emotions. You can use stories to teach reading, writing, speaking, or listening skills. You can also have students read aloud, act out, or write their own stories.
– Projects: Projects are a good way to integrate different skills, topics, and resources in a meaningful way. You can use projects to teach research, presentation, collaboration, or problem-solving skills. You can also have students work individually or in groups on topics that interest them. This takes a bit of time to set up and is better with more advanced students, however, the benefits are amazing. I have a lot of ideas on my website about this.
– Websites: There are a lot of websites that you can use for free that will help you in the classroom. Here is a link to some of them. Teaching Websites.
– My Website; I have a lot of stuff that can help you teach from young kids to adults if you take the time to check out my site. It is all free and I do not advertise. Yet. Lol. Here is the link to my website. MY WEBSITE.
Final Thoughts.
My Father and Mother were both teachers as well as my brother, so chalk flows through my veins. I have been teaching in Vietnam for over 15 years and now own 2 schools, so I know what I am talking about. Burnout is a thing we all have to cope with, and how we cope is what makes the difference.
Steve
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
A new school year means we need to prepare for new classes and new students.
The Holidays are Over Again.
In Vietnam, a school year is divided into two semesters: the first begins in mid or late August and lasts until the end of December, while the second begins right after the first, which is about mid-January and ends in May.
It took me quite a few years to adapt to the extended holidays for children they have in Vietnam. With almost 3 months a year of holidays for children, it was, I realized, both a blessing and a curse. (A blessing and curse for all involved, the teachers, parents, and students. Perhaps the worst affected are the parents who have to organize what to do with their kids while they work.)
As a traveler, it gave me 3 months in which I could easily move around the country, or even further, as I had plenty of time to use. And as a lot of the teaching contracts are yearly it gave me time to look at where I wanted to spend my next 12 months and find suitable accommodation in an area close to my new school.
On the downside, I had to make sure I had correctly budgeted for the time I had off. Not that it was a significant problem as I could pick up piecemeal work at any number of private schools or even pick up private tuition.
You can read here at ‘The Vietnamese Education System” to learn more about teaching in Vietnam and the type of work available. And things have not changed much over the years. You can find many posts and many tips and techniques that I have found to be successful over the years and I am happy to share these free of charge via my website.
Another almost beneficial downside was the amount of knowledge that the students had forgotten during their extended holidays. And it was this ( amongst a few other things) that made me decide to open my own school in Vietnam.
Back to School and Enhancing Your Opportunities.
September has arrived, and if you’re anything like the teachers I know, your thoughts have already begun to return to the long list of tasks you “need” to complete before you enter the classroom. We are all aware of how lengthy the to-do list is when it comes to setting up your classroom for a new school year. For this reason, this post will provide you with a list of actions you may take to aid in back-to-school preparation.
And your to-do list relates to whether you have your own school or private students or whether you are teaching in the public school system. I will try to cover both as they are equally important. I often came across teachers who used to say, why bother preparing as it is just the same but just a new year. I found those who said that were the teachers who drifted from one place to another and never “kicked on” to become professional ESL teachers.
If you have your own private school or students you will have been continually teaching but perhaps on restricted hours. Or perhaps you have closed for a week so the students’ parents can spend some time with their children over their holidays.
So here we go.
Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
If you have taken the 3 months off the first thing I do is mentally and physically prepare myself for the resumption of classes. It might seem trivial or an ad-hoc thing to do, but if you have gotten into the habit of sleeping in again, I like to spend 1 week prior to school waking up at 5.30 a.m. and re-adjusting my body clock.
Most schools and classes will start between 7. a.m. and 8 a.m. in Vietnam and it doesn’t help if you are still half asleep with 50 noisy kids starting your day. You must be alert and on the ball, especially in the first few days of the new semester. How you present yourself in front of the class in the first week will establish how the rest of the semester goes.
Preparing your “tools of the trade” is the next step. As basic as it sounds, make sure everything you take with you works. I want my markers, pens and pencils to be ready for use along with erasers and rulers. This is very basic stuff, but I have seen teachers on the first day asking if they can borrow a pen or marker or chalk because the school has not got any. Really embarrassing if it happens to you.
If like me you use a microphone headset, check it out the day before to make sure you have enough charge for the day or replacement batteries if needed.
When teaching in a classroom in Vietnam you may have upward of 50 people per class. (My biggest class size was 56 children who were 7-8 year olds).
If you don’t want to lose your voice by the end of the day I strongly advise that you invest in a microphone headset. The Aporo headset I have is 30 watts output and is very light. It comes with 2 headbands and is easy to wear for a whole day.
The use time is between 8-12 hours and I have never needed to recharge it through the day. This is perhaps the best “tool” I have ever used in the classroom and has without doubt saved my voice on many occasions.
If you are lucky enough to have your own classroom then other types of preparation come under what I call…….
Simple and useful.
1) Name tags.
2) Welcome signs.
3) Classroom schedule.
4) Pre-prepared exercises
A Day in The Life of a Vietnamese High School Student.
Here is a video that was made about a day in the life of a Vietnamese High School Student. A lot of ESL teachers will say they hate teaching teenagers. But while teaching teenagers has its own challenges it also provides one of the sweetest emotional rewards. I have seen students at their worst and at their best. During this stage of their lives, they are at their most open and if you can establish a good connection with your students you will have an outstanding year of teaching.
Updating Your Electronics.
If you’re a teacher, you already know what a difference having the appropriate materials and equipment makes. A good laptop is a necessary tool for today’s professionals. Of course, you’ll want to get a good deal on your buy, with an emphasis on the appropriate specs.
You’ll need something that delivers powerful processing performance. Ample storage is important as well, so there’s no concern about storing a multitude of documents and media files. You will also want a robust machine that can take a few knocks as well as something that is covered by a good warranty in case of any misfortune.
I have used a lot of brands and models over the years and because of my role, I continually stay on top of the latest models. These are my current top 5 laptops for price and performance. All these laptops can be had with a price sub $1,000.00.
Apple MacBook Air M1: This laptop is one of the best laptops overall, as well as the best MacBook for students. It has a fast and efficient M1 chip, a long battery life, a high-quality display, and a sleek design. It is also compatible with many apps and software that you can use for learning English or Vietnamese. It starts at $999, which is a reasonable price for its value.
Dell XPS 13: This laptop is one of the best Windows laptops, as well as one of the best business laptops. It has a powerful performance, a stunning display, a comfortable keyboard, and a durable build. It is also lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry around. It starts at $999, which is a competitive price for its features.
Google Pixelbook Go: This laptop is one of the best cheap laptops, as well as one of the best Chromebooks. It has a simple and elegant design, a long battery life, a smooth performance, and a great webcam. It is also ideal for using Google apps and services, such as Google Translate, Google Drive, and Google Classroom. It starts at $649, which is an affordable price for its quality.
HP Pavilion Aero 13: This laptop is one of the best laptops on a budget, as well as one of the most popular laptop brands in the U.S.. It has a compact and lightweight design, a fast processor, a decent battery life, and a colorful display. It is also customizable and upgradable, allowing you to choose the specifications that suit your needs. It starts at $630, which is a bargain price for its performance.
Language App.
As well as a decent laptop that can be used by both the teacher and student, I have found that MONDLY is a great app that can be put on your computer and laptop that helps the student with their learning. Click on the MONDLY logo to check this out.
I also have 2 other posts relating to tech tools in the classroom that may help you organize what you need to make life in the classroom easier for you. These are…
After teaching in Vietnam for over 15 years in various schools ranging from Kindergarten to teaching Teachers how to teach English, the one thing that I have learned to be most necessary is to make sure you prepare for each new semester as thoroughly as you would as if it is the first class you have ever taught.
Every student is different and each of them deserves 100% input from you the teacher. The more you involve yourself in the lesson the more personal satisfaction you derive from it.
If you have any questions or feedback I am happy to answer any or all directly or by email.
If you wish to read more about Education in Vietnam you can look at this post from Wikipedia.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Here are 8 of my best digital tools that I use for teaching on line and in the classroom.
My Best 8 Digital Tools for Teaching English Online.
Teaching English online can be fun and rewarding, but it also requires some planning and preparation. You need to have the right tools to communicate with your students, create engaging materials, and provide feedback.
In this blog post, I will share with you some of the best digital tools for teaching English online that I have used and personally recommend.
There are free options for all of these tools which fits perfectly within my budget but does not provide me with any revenue.
If you see anything on your travels around my website that you think is cool, I would appreciate it if you purchase via me as so far I have kept this site ad free and would like to continue doing that.
Google Meet is a video conferencing platform that allows you to host live classes with your students. You can share your screen, use captions, chat, and record your sessions. You can also create breakout rooms for group activities and use polls and quizzes to check understanding. Google Meet is free for anyone with a Google account and works on any device.
Most people I know use Skype, but I have always found this to be easier and the free period during covid was 30 minutes longer than Skype. The quality is exceptional and I never had any complaints from my students. I still continue to use Google Meet for my personal life as well as my business and can not fault the service.
Google Docs is a word processor that lets you create and edit documents online. You can collaborate with your students in real-time, leave comments, and track changes. You can also use Google Docs to create assignments, quizzes, and feedback forms. Google Docs is part of Google Workspace, which also includes other tools like Google Slides, Google Sheets, and Google Forms.
I run Google Docs from my smartphone (As well as my laptop) and tie it into the books and lessons I am teaching on the day. With most of the tools being Google I find I have little to no problems. It is a no-brainer to use the whole set of Google tools to provide the best experience for your students and to make it easy for yourself.
Yes, there is a bit of learning to do to make sure everything runs seamlessly. But once you have done it a few times you will look like a master and your lessons will run as smoothly as silk.
Google Workspace is a suite of cloud-based applications that helps you manage your online teaching business. You can use Gmail to communicate with your students, Google Calendar to schedule your classes, Google Drive to store and share your files, and Google Classroom to organize your courses and assignments. Google Workspace is free for educators and students with a school email address.
Google Jamboard is a digital whiteboard that allows you to create interactive lessons with your students. You can draw, write, and add images, stickers, shapes, and text boxes. You can also import slides from Google Slides or PDF files. You can invite your students to join your jam session and collaborate with you on the same board. Google Jamboard is free for anyone with a Google account and works on any device.
Canva is a graphic design tool that helps you create beautiful and professional-looking materials for your online classes. You can use Canva to design slides, posters, flyers, worksheets, certificates, logos, and more. You can choose from thousands of templates or create your own from scratch. You can also access millions of images, icons, fonts, and colors. Canva is free for basic features and offers a premium plan for more advanced options.
I use this for so many things, from designing class brochures to templates for advertising on social media. How can this still be free and offer so much? I am embarrassed to the degree I feel like I must upgrade to a paid membership.
There is also a special education offer for teachers and schools. Canva Education…
ChatGPT is a chatbot that uses artificial intelligence to generate natural and engaging conversations in English. You can use ChatGPT to practice speaking and listening skills with your students or to provide them with extra practice outside of class. You can also customize ChatGPT to suit different levels, topics, and interests. ChatGPT is free for anyone to use and works on any device.
A,I is going to change so much of how things will be done, there is a steep learning curve in front of us all. My other website, which is called AITechWarriors will be helping people stay on top of what is happening in the field of A.I.
Speechnotes is a speech-to-text tool that converts your voice into text. You can use Speechnotes to dictate your notes, essays, emails, or blog posts. You can also use Speechnotes to transcribe audio or video recordings of your classes or interviews. Speechnotes is fast, accurate, and easy to use. Speechnotes is free for anyone to use and works on any device.
This is a great tool as you can use it to test your students’ pronunciation and vocabulary skills as well as provide obvious benefits for the teacher.
Grammarly is a writing assistant that helps you improve your grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and style. You can use Grammarly to check your writing for errors and suggestions on how to fix them. You can also use Grammarly to set goals for your writing based on your audience, tone, and purpose. Grammarly is free for basic features and offers a premium plan for more advanced options.
The basic version is so good I have never felt the need to upgrade. I am 100% happy with the format and what I can do with it. They have recently added an AI interface which I am playing with and it gives you 100 free “prompts” per month. Along with chatGPT and the other A.I tools, I doubt I will ever get to use the lot.
Quillbot is a paraphrasing tool that helps you rewrite any text in different ways. You can use Quillbot to avoid plagiarism, simplify complex sentences, or generate new ideas for your writing. You can also use Quillbot to change the tone or mood of your text based on different modes like formal, informal, creative, or humorous. Quillbot is free for up to 700 characters per paraphrase and offers a premium plan for unlimited paraphrasing.
This extension is permanently open on my browser and that shows you how often I use it. Being able to paraphrase something quickly is vital for my business, thus the reason I stare at it every day.
Final Thoughts.
These are my 8 favorite online tools for teaching English. There are many ways you can use them and, as is said, you are only limited by your imagination.
For example with “speechnotes” you could use it not just for translating from speech to text but you could use it for testing the vocabulary and pronunciation of your students. How well are they pronouncing that word? Are they stringing sentences together grammatically correctly?
With chatGPT, you can get your students to phrase questions about their favorite topics and see if the answer corresponds with what they thought.
So fire up the thinking cap and use the tools that we have on hand to make our classrooms a lot more fun. And if the above aren’t enough tools for you, here are a few more that I have reviewed and used in the past, and for most still do. Look at my post named “On-Line Teachers Tools to Make Life Easier”. It just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?
Steve.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Picture Source: My Artwork, Night Cafe. A.I generated.
Why Are Our Schools Failing?
Amid allegations that our schools have turned into nothing more than veritable cookie cutters for half-baked executives of the future, there are instances of teachers striving for excellence.
Let us look at this question specifically, and also look at it in the light of ESL. So we will discuss the question directly as it stands and also look at it from a few different perspectives.
It doesn’t matter how long you have taught ESL, the question normally arises on a night out with a few teachers over a tipple or two. Are we really providing a service or are we perpetuating the cultural dominance of the U.S.A or England? I am going to play the devils advocate and throw the questions (and phrases) into the hypothetical mix, so you can think and answer at your leisure.
When English is taught as a second language, it can make English-speaking cultures more dominant and make local languages less important. This can lead to the loss of cultural diversity and fewer people speaking local languages.
Teaching English as a global language can make countries that already speak English more powerful in politics, economics, and culture. This can keep existing power imbalances in place and make it harder for other countries to become powerful.
When people learn English as a second language, they often learn about Western ideas and ways of thinking. This can make local knowledge and cultural differences less important or ignored.
Learning English very well can make people want to be more like English-speaking people and forget about their own language and culture. This can make unique cultural identities disappear.
Sometimes, programs that teach English in other countries don’t treat local teachers very well or give them bad working conditions. This can make things unfair and keep richer countries in control.
ESL, Changing Lives For The Better.
And here are the responses to advocate the opposing theory that ESL teaching is not ‘Cultural Imperialism” but is really “Socially Supportive”
Communication and opportunity: Learning English can improve your ability to communicate, provide you more access to educational and employment opportunities, and make it easier to collaborate globally, promoting cross-cultural understanding.
Individual empowerment: ESL instruction can give people more confidence by giving students the means to communicate clearly in a world that is becoming more interconnected and by enabling them to actively engage in global discussions.
Creating a bridge between cultures: Teaching ESL can serve as a bridge between many cultures, promoting understanding, empathy, and respect for various viewpoints.
Language preservation: When conducted properly, ESL instruction can coexist with the maintenance and resurgence of regional tongues and cultures, fostering multilingualism and cultural variety rather than eradicating it.
Choice among students: Students have autonomy when choosing ESL instruction, giving them the option of participating or not. In this instance, it might be viewed as a voluntary tool for personal empowerment and advancement as opposed to a cultural mandate.
Picture Source; My Artwork, Night Cafe. A.I generated.
Opportunities for Schools to Reshape the Future.
There are many parents, especially in the USA who believe the schooling system has lost its way. And I am not talking about E.S.L now, but the common core subjects in a normal public school. It feels like every time I go on to any social media outlet there is a rant against what is happening in the schools. And even though I will be focusing on the USA, I feel like it is a worldwide problem.
So what is happening in the schools in the USA at the moment? The “core curriculum” feels like it is being driven by big business that need workers that are willing to work for “next to nothing” and accept the corporate B.S.
I “Googled up” “Bill Gates” and public education and the headline that came up was “The Savior of Public Schools”. I am very pleased there was a question mark at the end of the headline.
The Savior of Public Schools.
Personalized learning seems to be the buzzword and it doesn’t look unreasonable. However, there are many points I would need to cover first. Not the least being, why have “trade classes” like metalwork and woodwork been removed from the curriculum? ( I am showing my age, but it worked for the students).
Schools used to have “body shops” that provided students who weren’t quite as academically gifted as some, the opportunity to learn a career in building cars and automotive repairs. Then they could step into this job straight after school and it worked.
And “Home Economics” used to be a thing, teaching sewing and cooking and it wasn’t just stereotypically females who enrolled into these classes.
Why were these courses dropped? In hindsight, it can be seen as a bad idea. Those students who weren’t motivated to sit in front of a computer all day were absorbed in learning a trade that they saw could make them money.
Now the same students sit in the computer classes and disrupt them because they are bored. And we blame ADHD and not the education system that is failing them.
Personalized Learning.
This is now what is being promoted as the new shift in teaching. In my opinion, I see nothing new in this and I am amazed we listen to somebody who never invented their own product and only donates to “future business opportunities”.
So this is what is described as “personalized learning”
“As part of the individualized learning paradigm, teachers supervise rather than lecture. They allow children individual work and group-based projects to learn as flexibly (and in as many contexts) as possible with the use of personal laptops and tablets.
Modern technology is expensive, therefore not many schools can afford to use the individualized learning approach. However, when districts do invest in it, the concept has been successful.
According to a report released last year, for instance, many of the students in 62 schools utilizing individualized instruction outperformed their peers in arithmetic and reading. Many people who had scored below average ended up above average”
Education is something that will set us free, and it is up to the individual teacher to make the most of what we have, to educate anyone who wishes to learn.
The best way to change the world is to change one person at a time. And by that I mean educate not indoctrinate.
This is by no means my normal type of post, however, I feel like it is something I have to say. Thanks for reading, I hope it gets you thinking. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.
Stephen.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosure here.
An article outlining some of the learning management systems available for ESL teachers and administrators.
What is LMS?
Simply put, an LMS is a system for keeping track of students, tasks, and educational resources. It has many more features, and they are all ultimately designed to save teachers and administrators time by centralizing students and course materials.
It helps manage educational courses, training programs, and learning and development programs. Simply automate tasks like tracking and reporting on student progress, and can also be used to deliver course materials to students.
What Are The Key Points of an LMS?
An LMS is a complex online learning environment created by several components working together, hidden beneath a user-friendly interface. The list of features in a contemporary LMS might be extensive, as with most contemporary software solutions. There are, nevertheless, a few key elements that are essential to any LMS.
These fundamental elements include the server database, which holds all of the LMS’s essential features, and the user interface, which allows teachers and students to interact with the servers. They are, in a nutshell, the front end and the back end of an LMS.
But keep in mind that these are only some of an LMS’s most fundamental features. Any modern LMS incorporates many, many more features than these, such as e-commerce capabilities and student performance analysis powered by machine learning.
A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that provides a framework for all aspects of the learning process. It is designed specifically to create, distribute, and manage the delivery of educational content.
The main purpose of an LMS is to provide an online learning experience while the availability of some capabilities change. Access is granted to verified users to accomplish this, and thus, supposedly aids in the global distribution of knowledge for educators.
A Checkered Past.
However, it is possible to argue that an LMS is simply a means of organizing students, tasks, and educational resources.
Nevertheless, as was already mentioned, an LMS is much more than that. However, all administrators and teachers crave more. By gathering all of the students and class materials in one location, we want to save time and make things simpler.
They (LMS) do, however, have a murky image among educators. They can be tough to master, awkward to use, and challenging to traverse.
Available LMS Options for ESL Teachers.
There are many learning management systems available for ESL teachers (And administrators) and here are five that I consider are worth your attention.
Off2Class: This LMS is designed specifically for ESL teachers and offers a wide range of features such as lesson plans, quizzes, and student progress tracking. Off2Class has nearly 800 ready-to-teach modules which may be combined to create unique courses. These are based on actual errors that students make on a “Placement Test.”
Without leaving the site, you can manage your students (and teachers if you run a school), mark your lessons as you go along, give out and grade assignments, and link with video services like Zoom or Google Meet.
Off2Class was specifically created to be an LMS for ESL teachers. And it has nothing else that may block or limit your needs. The reviews for Off2Class are all overwhelmingly positive and frequently use the phrase “I am extremely impressed.” However, more lessons on pronunciation may benefit the overall experience.
Moodle: This open-source LMS is free to use and offers a wide range of features such as course creation, student tracking, and reporting. However, it is significantly more powerful than most ESL teachers require, making it more complicated as a result. People have created incredible things using Moodle across many industries since it is free and open-source. Moodle can be used to create an entire online learning platform from scratch, but for most teachers, it’s complete overkill.
Google Classroom: This free LMS is designed specifically for educators and offers a variety of features such as course creation, student tracking, and reporting. For many ESL teachers, Google’s products acted as their de facto LMS. During the Covid lockdown, I used Google Meet for online teaching. I also used Google Docs for my lesson notes. While others have taken advantage of Google Sheets and even held class sessions via Google Hangouts. Now, with Google Classroom you can post announcements, respond to student posts, and even create and grade assignments, Google Classroom is an effective way to combine these services under one roof. It’s a simple, cost-free solution to give structure to your lessons.
Edmodo: This free LMS is designed specifically for K-12 educators and offers a variety of features such as course creation, student tracking, and reporting. Students and teachers can connect and exchange resources safely with Edmodo. Edmodo offers packages that allow school leaders to benefit from strong analytics, provide professional development, and curate their educational content. These products are free for teachers and students.
Pros: Only a small learning curve for people who regularly use social media. There is also a robust community of users and a good support network.
Cons: The user interface is very busy for teachers, especially with ads and information on the screen, and it could use a rubric tool and better collaboration options.
Powerschool: Is advertised by the company as the leading k-12 learning management system offering a comprehensive teaching and learning platform. Its ability to transfer data across Schoology Learning and PowerSchool SIS, two different educational software platforms, is one of its distinguishing qualities. “Passback” refers to the automatic transmission or synchronization of data or information entered into one system with another. Schoology Learning is a learning management system (LMS) that both teachers and students can use to keep track of course materials, homework, and communication. A student information system (SIS) called PowerSchool is what schools use to handle student data like grades, attendance, and demographics. It has mixed reviews, with some criticizing it while others love it.
Final Thoughts.
There is an old saying that goes along the line of “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” So if you are running a small school like mine, you may well decide that not having a learning management system worked well for a long time and it can continue to do so.
Adding any learning management system adds another task that needs to be done. Make sure that the effort you need to exert is really worth it. You have to ask yourself if the benefit of using an LMS is worth the extra work that needs to be done.
Do not fall prey to the “shiny object syndrome”. However, if it saves time and increases the “bottom line” of the balance sheet by all means go ahead and take the plunge.
Some links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through these links, I will make a commission on them. There will be no extra cost to you and, you could actually save money. Read our full affiliate disclosurehere.
English is the most widely spoken language globally, despite not being the most spoken language overall. Additionally, it is the language of international films, computers, and medicine. Even more so when used as a second language.
Learning English as a Second Language (ESL) has become more crucial. Language acquisition has experienced significant modifications as a result of the ongoing development of new technology.
ChatGPT is an astonishingly quick technological leap that is gaining worldwide attention (perhaps even in North Korea). It is an open artificial intelligence language that seems to be on everyone’s lips.
ChatGPT for Teaching ESL Students.
ChatGPT can be used to teach ESL English to kids in different ways, such as:
Conversation practice: ChatGPT can be used to converse with the students on topics of interest or related to the lesson. The teacher can monitor the chat and provide feedback or corrections as needed.
Writing practice: The teacher can have the students write prompts to ChatGPT, perhaps as a whole class exercise, and then discuss the responses as a class. The students can also use ChatGPT to edit their own writing or check their grammar and spelling.
Vocabulary practice: ChatGPT can be used to learn new words and phrases related to a specific topic or theme. The teacher can ask ChatGPT to generate vocabulary lists, definitions, or example sentences for the students to study.
Ad Lib activities: ChatGPT can be used to create fun and creative stories with blank spaces for the students to fill in with their own words. The teacher can give ChatGPT a prompt to make an “ad-lib” story about a particular theme or topic, and then have the students come up with the words to complete the story.
These are some of the possible ways to use ChatGPT in an ESL English classroom, but there may be more. ChatGPT is a powerful and versatile tool that can enhance language learning and teaching. However, it is important to use it responsibly and ethically, and not rely on it too much or let it replace human interaction.
It is also important to check that students do not use it to complete any essays that have been given out for homework. There are certain things that can be used to check students and the use of A.I. Excessive use of lists and numbers at the end of sentences are 2 points you can look out for.
Examples of How to Use ChatGPT,(as written by ChatGPT)
And Underwritten by me.
Here are some examples of how to use ChatGPT for different language-learning activities.
Conversation practice: You can chat with me about your hobbies, your favorite movies, your plans for the weekend, or anything else that interests you. I will try to respond in a natural and engaging way, and you can practice your fluency and comprehension skills.
Writing practice: You can write a short story, a poem, a letter, or an essay to me, and I will give you some feedback on your content, style, and grammar. You can also ask me to rewrite, improve, or optimize your writing for a specific purpose or audience.
Vocabulary practice: You can ask me to teach you some new words related to animals, sports, food, or any other topic you want to learn more about. I will give you a list of words with their definitions and example sentences. You can also ask me to quiz you on the words you learned or to make sentences using them.
“Fill in The Blanks“: You can ask me to create a funny story with some blank spaces for you to fill in with your own words. For example, you can say “Make an “Ad Lib story about aliens” and I will generate something like this:
One day, a group of (adjective) aliens landed on Earth. They came from the planet (name) and they wanted to (verb) with the humans. They had (number) eyes, (color) skin, and (noun) for ears. They spoke in an (adjective) language that sounded like (sound). They were very (adjective) and curious about everything they saw. They especially liked (noun) and (noun). They did not like (noun) and (noun). They stayed on Earth for (number) days and then they left in their (adjective) spaceship.
5 Introductions. You can use ChatGPT to write some introductions, then get the students to write their own and interact with Chat.
Hi, I’m Maria, and I’m from Brazil. I’m learning English because I want to travel the world and meet new people. I like to play soccer, listen to music, and watch Netflix. What about you?
Hello, my name is Ahmed and I’m from Egypt. I’m studying English because I want to work as an engineer in a multinational company. I enjoy reading books, solving puzzles, and playing chess. How do you spend your free time?
Greetings, I’m Li and I’m from China. I’m improving my English because I want to study abroad and learn more about different cultures. I love to cook, paint, and meditate. What are your hobbies?
Practicing Introductions With ChatGPT
“I would like to introduce myself. My name is Stephen and am 55 years old. I live Ho Chi Minh City and has 4 persons in my family. In my free time I like painting and drawing. “
Nice to meet you, Stephen. I’m Bing, a chat mode of Microsoft Bing search. I can help you with various tasks and topics. You have introduced yourself very well, but I noticed some minor errors in your message. If you don’t mind, I can help you rewrite it to make it more accurate and natural. Here is my suggestion:
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Stephen and I am 55 years old. I live in Ho Chi Minh City and there are 4 people in my family. In my free time**,** I like painting and drawing.
Do you see the difference?
How To Use ChatGPT For Learning English
A 90-Minute Lesson Plan For ESL English. (Provided by ChatGPT)
Here is a possible lesson plan for using ChatGPT in an ESL class:
Objective: To practice conversational skills and vocabulary using ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that can interact in a natural way.
Materials: Computers or mobile devices with internet access, ChatGPT website (chat.openai.com), paper, and pens.
Procedure:
Warm up; (10 minutes): Ask the students to brainstorm some topics they would like to talk about with a chatbot. Write their ideas on the board and have them vote for the most interesting ones. Explain that they will use ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that can answer questions, tell stories, give opinions, and more.
Demonstration (10 minutes): Show the students how to use ChatGPT on the website. Choose one of the topics from the board and type a message to start a conversation with the chatbot. Show the students how the chatbot responds and how they can continue the dialogue. Point out some features of the chatbot, such as its ability to ask follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests. Explain that the chatbot is not perfect and sometimes it may write incorrect or nonsensical answers. Encourage the students to be curious and respectful when chatting with the chatbot.
Practice (40 minutes): Divide the students into pairs and assign them a computer or a mobile device. Have them choose one of the topics from the board or come up with their own. Tell them to take turns typing messages to ChatGPT and reading “its” responses aloud. Remind them to use complete sentences and correct grammar and spelling. Tell them to keep track of how long they can maintain a coherent and engaging conversation with the chatbot. Have them switch topics every 10 minutes.
Feedback (20 minutes): Have each pair share their experience with ChatGPT with the class. Ask them to report on how long they chatted with the chatbot, what topics they discussed, what they learned from the chatbot, what they liked and disliked about the chatbot, and what difficulties or challenges they faced. Write their feedback on the board and discuss it as a class. Ask them to suggest some ways to improve their conversational skills and vocabulary using ChatGPT.
Wrap up (10 minutes): Review the main points of the lesson and ask the students to reflect on their learning outcomes. Ask them if they would like to use ChatGPT again in the future and why. Give them some homework assignments, such as writing a summary of their conversation with ChatGPT, researching more about ChatGPT or other AI chatbots, or creating their own prompts for ChatGPT.
Final Thoughts.
While it is possible to use ChatGPT and other AI programs, the one major drawback is being able to provide computers to each student. In a lot of countries that teach ESL the students and schools do not have the resources that they have in Western Countries.
In Vietnam, where I teach, the infrastructure to provide the resources in public schools is currently not available. The private schools could fund the hardware but the costs wouldn’t be able to be covered by most of the parents of the students.
While ChatGPT is unlikely to take over the teachers role in the classroom, I do expect there will be increasing changes throughout the Education Industry. Just how much remains to be seen.
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I have found drama to be a very effective classroom tool. Although it is not often used by a lot of teachers and I don’t understand why. Well, actually I do, I think. One of the thoughts maybe is that you are giving the students a chance to cause havoc in the classroom. Especially with younger students in an ESL environment. Doubly so if you can not speak the native language, class control can be more complicated. However, I have found the pros to outweigh the cons.
Your students can get more engaged in the ESL classroom by using drama because they are responsible for using their language skills in formal play. Gaining perfect intonation, developing fluency, increasing confidence, and a host of other advantages are among the advantages of using drama in the classroom. Who knows, you might discover the new Dustin Nguyen who was in 21 Jump Street, The Rebel, The Doom Generation, and Little Fish.
Dramatic Play.
All ages can benefit from drama for learning, although few educators or institutions use it to its fullest extent outside of the early years.
Dramatic play and theater allow for skill development and confidence building. The students converse both verbally and non verbally. It entails acting out both the familiar and the foreign, as well as imitating and mimicking. It can be a lot of fun for the student, and if well-prepared, fun for the teacher as well.
One example could be students participating in puppetry and small-world play while assuming people’s roles from books, movies, and real life. You could draw up a great lesson involving making masks or puppets.
First Palette has a great collection of masks you can print out for the younger performer.
Children frequently behave like grownups in dramatic play and whole-class theater because they feel empowered and in charge when they do so. They act in a way that suggests they already possess the abilities and behaviors they strive for.
It takes skill to be able to engage with others in a “play” manner. Empowering their confidence through drama will also see an improvement in their English skills.
Using Drama in the ESL Classroom.
If you’ve had students do straightforward role-plays or read a conversation from their textbooks aloud, you’ve already integrated some drama into your classes. This is a good prelude to additional drama-related activities.
Expressing the passion behind the discourse and including motions or gestures, encourage children to develop their dramatic skills when reading dialogue and participating in role-plays. Students can take it a step further by creating their own dialogue and/or memorizing their lines to perform a quick skit in front of the class.
Impromptu Theater.
Impromptu theater in the classroom is yet another method. Using this impromptu drama technique, students in the intermediate to the advanced range are given a hypothetical circumstance to spontaneously act out utilizing their English vocabulary and linguistic abilities. Provide pairs of students, for instance, a scenario involving two people. Consider anything that might be hilarious, like a person having dinner and receiving sub par service in a restaurant. Give the pupils their parts, then ask them to perform the scene. For larger classes of students, improvisation exercises are also an option.
Let’s do a Class Play.
Another fantastic approach to introduce theater to your pupils is through a class play. You could begin by reading a brief narrative or performing a play in class. Finally, allot class time to studying lines and practicing parts, assigning kids to various roles, or letting them choose their own. A class production of the play marks the culmination of the program. If you can, incorporate straightforward costumes and props. I have found that the older the student, the fewer props are needed. The younger students almost need the mask or prop to help them escape into the realm of fantasy.
Repetition and reading your lines for ESL
By repetition, students pick up the language and retain it. Although repeating the same lines repeatedly could seem tedious, your pupils will be more inclined to do it as they get more adept at remembering their lines.
Try to spice things up throughout the practices by having the pupils experiment with various acting techniques and movements. I will ask the students to perform sentences or phrases in various “moods.” For instance, I might ask them to perform a sentence while acting mad, in love, or angry. You will learn who the outgoing student in your class is, which is usually hilarious.
You can also get your “actors” to deliver their lines as fast or as slow as they can. I like to do the speed test with “tongue twisters”. You can imagine what it is like when reading out this tongue twister fast.
“Peter Piper” and the “Woodchuck” tongue twister are always favorites for this lesson and well worth making the effort to do. I also have “Challenge the Teacher” A lot of fun.
Writing for ESL Plays
If teaching a pre-intermediate, intermediate, or higher class I will ask the students to write their own dialogue. Most of the class books will have some form of dialogue in the back of the book or now with “ChatGPT” you can print out a prearranged copy as an example. But get the student to write their own play, yours should just be used as an example.
A Funny Play by Chat GPT.
[Scene: A cafe. Two friends, Alice and Bob, are sitting at a table with coffee and pastries.]
Alice: So, how’s school going for you?
Bob: Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Classes, homework, exams, stress.
Alice: Yeah, I hear you. School can be tough sometimes.
Bob: Sometimes? More like all the time. Especially with Mr. Smith as our math teacher.
Alice: Oh, don’t get me started on Mr. Smith. He’s the worst.
Bob: I know, right? He’s so boring and strict and mean.
Alice: And he gives us so much homework. It’s like he doesn’t want us to have any fun.
Bob: Or any sleep.
Alice: Or any life.
Bob: Exactly. He’s ruining our lives.
Alice: And he’s so bad at explaining things. Half the time I don’t understand what he’s talking about.
Bob: Me neither. He just writes a bunch of numbers and symbols on the board and expects us to figure it out.
Alice: And he never answers our questions. He just says “read the textbook” or “look it up online”.
Bob: Or “you should know this by now”.
Alice: Or “this is basic stuff”.
Bob: Or “this is not rocket science”.
Alice: Or “this is elementary, my dear Watson”.
Bob: Wait, what?
Alice: Yeah, he said that to me once when I asked him to explain a problem.
Bob: He did? That’s hilarious.
Alice: No, it’s not. It’s annoying.
Bob: Come on, it’s kind of funny. He thinks he’s Sherlock Holmes or something.
Alice: Well, he’s not. He’s more like Professor Moriarty.
Bob: Ooh, good one.
Alice: Thanks.
Bob: You’re welcome.
[They laugh.]
Alice: But seriously, though. We need to do something about him.
Bob: Like what?
Alice: I don’t know. Maybe we can prank him somehow.
Bob: Prank him? How?
Alice: I don’t know. Maybe we can switch his chalk with cheese or something.
Bob: Cheese?
Alice: Yeah, cheese. You know, like in cartoons.
Bob: That’s silly.
Alice: Well, do you have a better idea?
Bob: Hmm… maybe we can hack his computer and change his grades.
Alice: Change his grades? To what?
Bob: To F’s.
Alice: F’s?
Bob: Yeah, F’s. For fail.
Alice: But that would be mean.
Bob: So? He’s mean to us.
Alice: True. But still…
Bob: Fine. How about we change his grades to A+’s?
Alice: A+’s?
Bob: Yeah, A+’s. For awesome.
Alice: But that would be nice.
Bob: So? He deserves some recognition for his hard work.
Alice: Really?
Bob: No, not really. I’m just kidding.
[They laugh.]
Alice: You’re funny.
Bob: Thanks. You’re funny too.
Alice: Thanks.
[They smile at each other.]
[End of scene.]
The Role of the Teacher.
My preference is to remain as a facilitator and direct the class into which areas to move. For example, starting an impromptu play or a class play. Or practicing your lines or writing a play. Some classes prefer the teacher to perform the role of the facilitator while others like the teacher to take a more hands-on approach, with the teacher performing in the play as well.
Some students, especially younger students love seeing their teacher in a role outside of the normal teacher role. It will intrigue the students to see their “foreign teacher” taking on a different role and can make the lesson a very memorable one.
More Drama Activities for the ESL Classroom.
Once again we are only limited by our imaginations. Here are some more excellent ideas for the ESL classroom, especially for warm-up and cool-down exercises.
Final Thoughts.
Using drama as a teaching tool incorporates other positives as well. Students have high energy levels and can get restless just sitting and reading or writing, they will be more enthusiastic if they get a chance to move around. This means they are demonstrating T.P.R ( Total Physical Response) whether they know it or not.
You will also have an insight into the student’s personalities when you see how they relate to others in this more relaxed environment. Do the students assume the roles of leaders or are they more apt at stepping back into the shadows? This will help you design other lessons and approaches to learning for your students who may have different needs.
And if you are doing this lesson at the start of your teaching tenure, it is a great way to break the ice with your new students. It will positively set the tone for future lessons and will give you instant recognition as being a good caring teacher.
Done in the correct way and using a lot of what we have talked about will put you in a good place with your students for future classes.
Stephen.
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A recent advancement in artificial intelligence called Chat GPT enables computers to comprehend and reply to input in natural language. It was developed by San Francisco-based OpenAI, a startup with close ties to Microsoft.
This technology represents a substantial advancement in artificial intelligence and is based on the most recent developments in language processing and machine learning. Deep learning is used by Chat GPT to analyze data from different sources, then use that information to provide answers to any questions being asked. Then, as you wait for your question, it will search its database and reply in microseconds to what is being asked.
What is Deep learning?
Where can It Be Used?
Customer service, sales, marketing assistance, human resources, legal, and government, are just some of the things it can be used for. It can be used wherever natural language is required, such as in chatbots and virtual assistants.
This technology will change the way we interact with computers, and it is a major advance in artificial intelligence.
How Much is Chat GPT?
Currently, Chat GPT is free. And for something that Elon Musk says is “scary Good”, how can that be?
ChatGPT had more than 1 million users in the first five days of its launch, according to OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman. And ChatGPT is the fastest-growing app in the whole world, said Swiss bank UBS. About two months after its debut, UBS analysis predicted ChatGPT would have 100 million active users by January (It was right). It is also attracting 96 million new visitors a month and its revenue is expected to hit 1 billion dollars by the end of 2024. Source. Gitnux, Chat GPT statistics.
Comparatively, TikTok reached 100 million users in nine months. Do you think with a customer base like that, it will remain free? The computer costs alone must be astronomical and I can’t see any business that could continue to absorb those costs.
Monetization.
Open AI’s Sam Altman admitted that will eventually need to be monetized because of its “eye-watering” compute costs, Musk was informed that the average cost of each response was in the “single-digits cents”. With 100 million users asking multiple questions even single-digit cents will be adding up.
Can Chat GPT help Educators?
As teachers, we must be asking ourselves the question “Can we ethically use Chat GPT in the classroom or even outside the classroom in pursuit of school business? can we use it for writing tests, or even putting together lesson plans or sample “papers” for the classroom, or even for marking tests. let us first look at what can be done before we discuss the moral and ethical implications of Chat GPT or any of the other A.I. programs out there.
What AI Programs are in the Market Now?
1. VoicePen AI: Convert audio content into blog posts, using AI.
And these are just a few of them, there are a lot more out there. And as sure as eggs our students will know a lot more than we do.
How can We Use AI in the Classroom?
A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) is one of the most recent changes we’ve observed in the educational system, and it has many people concerned about the potential consequences it may have. But it will never fully replace human instructors, AI supposedly has a lot to offer in the classroom.
They have already deployed “Robot Teachers” to varied degrees of success in some places in China where they are unable to send foreign teachers (mostly due to remoteness).
Source: The Daily Mail 2019 I can almost hear the Robot teachers saying, Dr Who like, exterminate, exterminate.
What areas could we effectively use AI in the classroom?
Teaching, and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) needs to have a human in the classroom. I have yet to come across any AI that can understand sarcasm or when describing a new word be able to articulate via body language. Also picking up different nuances in the accent requires a human ear and an electronic ear, in my books, doesn’t cut it. Not yet anyway.
The Cons of Chat GPT.
One thing we must remember is Chat GPT only has an accuracy of 85% +. And while that may be good enough for most other things, it is not good enough for marking, tutoring or any other teaching activity. But if you can build those parameters into what you are doing and still manage the results effectively then it may be a useful tool.:
It’s also critical to be aware that Chat GPT is still in beta format. The website clearly states that it may yield misleading information, including outright false information. Some have discovered that, when specifically prompted, it can also produce biased and discriminatory information.
Marking or Grading.
Scantron testing and computer tests have both been used for electronic grading for many years. As AI develops, teachers may be able to delegate all assignment marking to an AI, freeing up their time to spend more time with each student individually and adapt the curriculum to fit the needs of each class.
Additional cons apart from the 85% accuracy are the need for constant internet supply and the cost. So why do it? The time saved is immensely powerful. The amount of work teachers are expected to do just keeps increasing and if we can find anything to streamline our workflow, don’t get in my way.
Tutoring.
Tutors are crucial because teachers can’t be with their pupils at all times. Some students merely require a little bit more assistance with a certain subject. Going to a tutoring lesson might be unsettling for shy students rather than meeting with a tutor. Students who struggle with social or academic anxiety may find that working with an AI tutor gives them the support and self-assurance they need to thrive in school.
Helping Students Write.
Along with Chat GPT, you also have tools like Quillbot and Grammarly. Quillbot and Grammarly have slightly different ways of doing fairly similar things. Namely, they will check the spelling, grammar, and word order of what you have written. There are both free versions and paid versions. For students, especially ESL students, the non-paid version is quite ok.
And Chat GPT and a lot of other AI writing apps may help by prompting the student with appropriate headings for the student to add extra text or information. While Chat GPT and tools like Rytr make it easier to write content, it leaves itself open for blatant copying. Not plagiarism but copying straight from what the AI writes.
This is the part of AI that scares me the most. While trying to help the students we may inadvertently end up with a generation who can not write a story without help from AI.
In Ryters own words, “Generate killer content, effortlessly. Never face writer’s block again. From blogs to emails to ad copies, auto-generate catchy, original, and high-converting copies in popular tones & languages in just a few seconds. Just pick a use case, enter some context, and boom…your copy is ready.” Source Ryter.
Lesson Plans.
Writing lesson plans eventually becomes a chore. After your 3rd or 4th year, let alone 15, lesson plans can become a certain type of hell that only teachers understand. How can you say the same thing but differently after your 6th thousand lesson plan?
This is where Chat GPT comes in handy. Simply enter a topic or subject matter, and the chatbot will produce a list of related terms, ideas, and illustrations that you can use in your lesson plans. or perhaps even write your lesson plans for you. This is one I feel no qualms about using at all.
Personal Development.
Another use of Chat GPT I have no qualms about using is personal development. You can type into Chat GPT areas you believe would help you become a better teacher and see what ideas it comes up with.
To assist in enhancing teaching abilities, it may offer pertinent articles, videos, and other resources once you have typed in certain topics that are areas of interest..
Moral and Ethical Implications of Using Chat GPT.
As a teacher, the major ethical worry I have is the potential misuse by the students. Rather than just using it to improve grammar or check vocabulary the students may get the AI to write the whole essay. And if there is any problem with the training or input of the AI that will reflect in the final written paper.
Or in AI speak, the output of Chat GPT depends on the input is a key ethical issue. The output will be tainted if there are any issues with the input. For instance, if there is prejudice surrounding the input based on race, sexual orientation, or age, that will show in the final draft.
Results from this may be unjust and misleading, especially for underprivileged groups. In order to counteract prejudice and guarantee fair and accurate results, it is essential to have a broad and representative dataset in the first place.
Final Thoughts.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that ChatGPT is a bot, therefore you shouldn’t rely on it blindly. While depending on the chatbot’s recommendations, it’s crucial to exercise caution and apply your own discretion.
I suggest taking the chatbot’s responses as a model or guideline for all the things I listed above, then personalizing them for your needs and target audience by including your own thoughts and quirks. By doing this, you may avoid sounding robotic or generic and instead produce material that is more engaging and authentic.
Ultimately, using ChatGPT as a resource can be a great way to learn and get inspired, but it’s vital to keep in mind that the content will only be genuinely yours if you utilize your own imagination and judgment.
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What I want to write about today is a bit different from what I normally write about. But, it is one of the most important topics if you want to work or live in Vietnam for an extended period of time.
This article is not so much about what you can find in Vietnam or even what you should bring. But, it is about what you should leave at home.
Ethnocentrism and the Uneasy Traveller
According to the Oxford Dictionary “Ethnocentrism” is the ” evaluation of other cultures according to the preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of our own culture”
Before heading into the topic of a foreign teacher being fired (And what sparked this article) and the debate as to whether he should have been fired or not, I want to cover more on “moral codes” and what makes up “ethnocentricism”
Moral Codes and Cultural Differences.
Moral codes are a set of rules that show how a person should treat others and behave within society. They are learned through interactions with others in society by picking up behavioral standards within your cultural area.
Our moral codes are heavily dependent upon our culture. All these codes may cover aspects of our lives from how we act, how we dress, and how we treat others.
There are some moral codes that are regularly found throughout the world. These would be “though shall not kill” or “treat others as we would like to be treated”
However, each culture has its own idea as to what is right or wrong. These other aspects of moral codes are a direct reflection of the ethical thinking of that area.
Cultural Insensitivity in the Workplace.
I have been living and working in Vietnam for 16 years and I have seen a truckload of cultural insensitivity from both foreigners and Vietnamese. However, the thing to remember is that Vietnam is run by and for the Vietnamese and if we can understand that our life will be much easier.
I have often seen new foreign English teachers come to Vietnam with preconceived ideas telling the Vietnamese teachers how English should be taught. While some of the topics raised by the new teacher may be valid, they should take their time to find out how things are done. Losing “face” is still quite a big thing in Vietnam.
I remember talking to someone very high up in Sacom bank and we were discussing how banks (Being a capitalist entity) survived and thrived in Vietnam and how they dealt with the Government. The gentleman I was talking to gave me an example of how an idea that the bank has is introduced to the government.
First off the idea is planted within the government, at a lower “rank”, and allowed to percolate up to the top. Then a meeting between the bank and the government is organized during which the bank praises the government for its forward-thinking idea.
I’m not saying this is how teaching is, but it gives you some idea about the different approaches that need to be taken.
The Firing of a Foreign Teacher.
There was an incident very recently involving a foreign teacher, a security guard, students, and a Vietnamese teacher.
If it wasn’t so serious it would sound like the start of a bad joke. To start at the end, a foreign teacher was fired after a “scuffle” with a 65 year old security guard. The security guard was checking the names of students who were allowed to leave after the 4th lesson of the day.
At the school above, the 11th graders were allowed to leave as long as their names were on the guards’ list. The guard also checked the name tags of the students who were eligible to leave.
One of the 11th graders was wearing a jacket so the security guard could not see her name. When the security guard asked her to remove her jacket she refused and the guard started yelling at her. This is when the foreign teacher stepped in and pushed the guard over.
The “scuffle” then broke out after the guard was pushed over. Because of the violent acts carried out by both the teacher and guard the school board got together to discuss what should happen next.
The foreign teacher was allowed to continue teaching while the decision was being made about what was to be done with all parties. The head of the English department then asked the foreign teacher to refrain from posting anything on social media.
This seemingly didn’t go down well with the teacher who then started kicking the “teachers’ room” door and yelling at the head of the English Department. He was obviously fired at this stage. But to add one more piece of ludicrousness, the teacher then went onto social media and tried to get the students to defame the school. Trying to incite the students to rebellion.
Who does this guy think he is? he obviously has no regard for any other foreign teachers in Vietnam. Surprisingly there were some who supported this teacher. I did not see the whole story and did not get to talk to anyone firsthand about this, but I think just pushing the 65-year-old over would be grounds enough for dismissal alone. What do you think?
Final Thoughts.
If and when you come to Vietnam, please leave your preconceived ideas at home. We are guests in this lovely country and yes there are things that are different and they may not sit easily with us. However, if you can adapt to this culture (and there is not that much you need to adapt) you will have the time of your life.
Also, remember there are other foreigners and teachers who live here and we get “tarred by the same brush” if we do anything wrong. Vietnam is a very tolerant country, however, it doesn’t take much to influence the Vietnamese that we are insensitive to others feelings.
Thank you.
Stephen
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Keeping one’s physical health together when teaching in the classroom and online is important, especially when doing remote instruction via a computer. But as a teacher, it’s crucial to look after your mental health as well. You will benefit from this as well as improve your teaching and student outcomes.
Being a teacher is such a demanding job. A teacher is continuously “on the go,” and if they are not careful, the students can quickly sap your energy on a regular basis. Many teachers feel exhausted and drained when they return home. Not physically fatigued, but mentally spent. A person will eventually start to feel mentally exhausted and “hit the wall”. As a result of this, you will undoubtedly be affected outside of the classroom as well.
Being an EFL or ESL teacher in a foreign country can also leave you open to feelings of “aloneness” and wondering how you can cope. Often there is no support structure in place and this can lead to harmful substance abuse situations.
Common Educator Health Problems.
Teachers are generally held in high regard because of the challenging work they do.
They have the responsibility of assisting students in learning and helping with intellectual development, from young children to adults and they are expected to adhere to rigid lesson plans. On top of that, they are not necessarily paid the greatest salary.
It may be necessary for them to attend class even though they are feeling under the weather, then stay up late to prepare for their upcoming class of students. All this contributes to various physical health problems and there are some health issues that are more likely to emerge in teachers.
Here are a few of the most prevalent physical health issues that instructors encounter.
Due to the physical demands of the profession, educators deal with a wide range of medical conditions, from back discomfort to vocal demands from speaking in large noisy classrooms and eye strain from the amount of reading done.
Most physical health problems can be solved by fixing the problems with the school administrators or dealing directly with doctors and related problems.
However, today we are going to be looking at stress and the problems related to protecting your mental health. And what we can do as individual teachers to help alleviate these problems, especially as ESL teachers.
Trying to Maintain Mental Health in the ESL Classroom.
The answer isn’t as straightforward as “taking a break” (although it can help momentarily), in my opinion, you should match your daily actions with your emotional beliefs. Make sure your actions and the topics you cover in your teaching are consistent with your beliefs.
The simple reality that many teachers are tearing out their hair because their ideals about teaching and learning don’t align with their teaching environment can cause a lot of mental tension and misery.
You only need to look at what is happening in the U.S.A at the moment with mass resignations reverberating throughout the teaching profession to understand the depths of despair in the education industry.
More Options.
It can be challenging to seek the support you need to maintain your mental health when mixed with a culture of self-sacrifice and external pressures.
Without assistance, continuing is unsustainable, and eventually, something will break. This can make it difficult for you to manage your day-to-day workload at work, necessitating time off for treatment, and more.
How to avoid problems or relieve symptoms:
You have alternatives to handle pressures at work, depending on how severe they are for you. You can get the tools to handle this through talk therapy, support groups with other educators, mental wellness applications, and the usage of perks like an employee assistance program if these are available.
However, as I mentioned before, when you are in a foreign country with a lack of resources you will be struggling to find any type of support structure. Added to that, if you are in a country that has a large “party scene” you may find some teachers start abusing alcohol as a coping mechanism. This is something that should be avoided at all costs.
Simple Solutions.
There are some simple measures you can take that will help insulate you from some of the worse conditions of living in a foreign country where you may or may not be feeling homesick.
Before you leave for your new life in the country of your dreams check out the Facebook groups you can join and look for other activities you can do as well. At the same time, get your ideal lifestyle and employment worked out! It’s not as difficult as it may seem to select a work abroad program, especially if you prepare prior to traveling.
Another thing you may wish to do is to put together a selection of photos of friends and family to remind you of your support groups if and when you need them.
Surrounding yourself with things and people that remind you of home will help you to settle into your new country and new job more easily.
Join Clubs.
Most large cities in Vietnam have a good selection of clubs and groups that you can join and make friendships with people who have similar interests.
Learning the local language will not only help you develop new friendships it will also open new doors of understanding within your new country.
After living in Vietnam for more than 15 years, the people I see who survive and thrive are those who immerse themselves in the culture and develop a strong network of friends.
For example, Expats in HCMC are an English-speaking community in Vietnam and are one of many groups available.
Final Words.
With the post-effects of covid still trickling through and with Christmas on the horizon I wanted to make people aware that it is OK to feel a bit down at times.
You can do a few things that will help you cope if you are having problems. Remember you are not in it alone and there are a lot of people who can help, and not just professionally. It is just as important to be able to sit down with friends and discuss how you are feeling.
Christmas can be a time when you feel alone and isolated, so if you are feeling like that, I urge you to reach out and get in contact with someone to talk with. I am also here if you need a good listener.
Spending your first Christmas away from family can present its own challenges and there are always people available to talk to. Don’t try to cope with any problems alone. As cliched as it sounds, a problem shared is a problem lessened.
Stephen
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