A journey into learning

Learning and teaching English – learning and teaching to learn

A journey into learning
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Less encouraged…. more determined

A teacher writing on a blackboard.
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Not a great day today for education at my school.

The rumour is that we have to save money, and to do that the internet might have to go. Funny, this is happening in the same country that could afford to build a metro line for US$7.5 billion.

Fact 1.  We have a shortage of teachers-  2-3 English teachers are needed.

Fact 2. Students will have three 60-minute periods (180 minutes) without a break.

Fact 3: Some great official advice for discipline: 1. Don’t be too friendly with the students 2. Pray to Allah and be patient; eventually the headmaster will get rid of the troublemakers

Fact 4: We will have 33-34 students in each class. Last year I had serious discipline problems even with 22.

These are not very encouraging signs, I’m afraid.

It does make the challenge even more exciting, though: 35 demoralised, exhausted, bored students with demoralised, exhausted, bored teachers. No Internet – well let’s start building a professional, student centred, innovative, engaging classroom and implement modern methodologies.

Wish me luck; I’ll need it.

And here comes the “What are you going to do about it?” bit:

At the first meeting next Sunday I will ask my teachers to make a list of 5 things they would like me to do. Then we’ll discuss all their points and decide how to proceed with them. This will give a good indication of what they perceive my job to be. It will also help me get a better grasp of their expectations and create an action-plan that might help push things forward. I will also get a better picture of the professionalism of my colleagues. Half of the answer is always there in the question.

One thing I am planning to do is to split some of the classes with the teacher I am supposed to be observing, and take those kids to the computer room. This is what the computer room looks like at the moment but I am sure there will be some clever clogs among them who will be able to get the system working.DSC03644_small

The project I am most excited about:

I will have an “open class” for every grade level (10-11-12). The open class will happen twice a week. Students get the headmaster’s permission to attend the English class where we work on a project of their own choice. The project has to have a tangible outcome that can be demonstrated to the school management. There will be a project every semester. Fifteen students can sign-up for each class. Students will be enrolled on a first come-first served basis, and the maximum number will be 10-15.

I will use this space to keep you informed about the latest developments. Your suggestions, ideas are always greatly appreciated.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at 11:55 and is filed under (Not) Teaching in the UAE. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Responses to “Less encouraged…. more determined”

  1. September 26th, 2009 at 15:06   

    Shelly Terrell says:

    Tamas,
    I hope you do not lose the Internet at your school. Hopefully, the sector that has the money will realize that students who know how to use technology really are the key to finding ways to cut the budget. I always wonder why countries make cuts to education. Funding education is investing in the country’s future!

  2. September 26th, 2009 at 15:13   

    Karenne Sylvester says:

    Good luck Tamas, we know you’ll pull through and get them learning!

    I like your idea of splitting the class in two diff groups and sending them off to continue working on the computer.

    As much as possible, you’re probably already planning this, but do get your students to come up with the project ideas themselves in a brainstorming session. If they own the idea they’re more likely to do it.

    With your 180min without a break problem, perhaps you can find a way putting what are normally ice-breakers after each 60 min period -something to get them moving about – especially for your physical learners who might start causing discipline problems right about then!

    Take care and I’m looking forward to following the story.
    Karenne

  3. September 26th, 2009 at 15:39   

    tamaslorincz says:

    Thanks Karenne
    You’re right. My objective is to let them know that they can do anything as long as they adhere to some pre-negotiated rules, like participation, discipline, punctuality, etc. What they do is really up to them.
    With the 180-minute lessons the problem is that they are with three different teachers of three different subjects, so if I make the English lesson ‘lite’ they will just use it as their preparation for the following and/or resting off the pressure of the previous class. Most students have a very negative attitude to ‘school’, so when they are confronted with things like “Let’s stand up!”, or “Play a game!”, or – and this is the worst – “What do you think?”, they don’t understand what you want from them. It’ll take time but I believe it’s time well spent. Because the students (or at least the majority) are brilliant and they can change step-by-step. I think a concentrated attack on many fronts (ministry, school administration, parents, teachers, students) slowly we can gnaw away at the old reflexes and they will see different ways of doing things and reconsider the opportunities a well-directed and managed school and education system can create.
    This is my Saturday afternoon enthusiasm I work up during the weekend to last for the week.
    Thanks for the wonderful comment again. Knowing that there are people out there in my PLN who understand, support, share and trust the values I am trying to pursue is a vital reason why I am not giving up.
    Tamas

  4. September 26th, 2009 at 15:51   

    tamaslorincz says:

    Thanks for your lovely comment.

    I do hope that the rumour remains a rumour. I generally would not publicise them but I think it is indicative of the attitude and mentality at the school.
    I understand poor countries having to make painful decisions but letting down your own kids (and thus your country’s future as you say) when you could easily give them all they need, I just stand and shake my head and think: something is not right. Not right at all.
    Thanks again.
    Hopefully the next post will be even more upbeat.
    Tamas

  5. September 27th, 2009 at 23:18   

    sinikka says:

    Hi Tamas
    I thoroughly empathize with your situation. It seems to have become the norm in many well-off states to make drastic cuts in education. I couldn’t agree more with all of you who commented that it is stupidly short-sighted not to invest in children, who are our future.

    Unfortunately, here in Finland it’s a similar story: large-scale teacher “lay-offs”/furloughs – only to save money – bigger and bigger class sizes, broken machinery, but no funds to repair or replace them etc. etc. But we teachers are a creative and innovative lot, as your post proves. As the last resort, we’ll go and teach completely naked, won’t we?

    Lots of luck with everything and especially your interesting “open class” idea. I look forward to reading more about it.

  6. September 27th, 2009 at 23:30   

    Burcu Akyol says:

    Tamas,

    Hope the rumours about the Internet stay as rumours. In any case, I’m a hundred percent sure that you’re going to do a very good job there. Have a great year!

    Best,

    Burcu

  7. September 27th, 2009 at 23:39   

    tamaslorincz says:

    Dear Sinakka
    Thanks for visiting and commenting on the blog. Yes, it’s an interesting experiment to see how far one can be pushed before they give up. Yes, I’ll probably quit before the naked teaching bit for everyone’s benefit ;-)
    We’ll see what tomorrow brings. A new post in the next couple of days will continue the saga.
    Thanks again.
    Tamas
    PS: I really enjoyed your latest post about text-lingo. Still haven’t made up my mind about it. Teachers quite enjoy looking and feeling trendy, and it’s one of the few things students appreciate, although sometimes it can be embarrassing when you are out-dated or think that LOL meansd (Lots of Love) ;-)

  8. September 28th, 2009 at 00:17   

    marisapavan says:

    Hi Tamas,

    You seem to be a very resourceful and practical teacher, two ingredients that contribute to success. For that reason, I’m sure you’ll get amazing results after putting your plans into action.
    The best of luck! I hope you receive all the support you deserve.
    Marisa

  9. December 24th, 2009 at 10:29   

    Nick Jaworski says:

    I just have to say I loved fact number 3, part 2 :) . It’s so typical in the ME and it stresses me out. Yet really, looking from their perspective, it’s quite comforting. Maybe I should just give in and go with the flow :)

    I feel for you with the budget cuts and other difficulties. Sounds like you’re trying to stay positive and have a plan to deal with it. Good luck.

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