Teaching French

The first thing that came to my mind while I was on summer holidays was that I would never be able to teach French simply because I am not good at speaking it.  Nevertheless, I somehow managed to pass it successfully and enjoy it a lot. Even now looking back I would really like to go and teach children French. Who would have thought?!
I was teaching second grade children  from 8 to 9 years of age. For me it is more exciting to work with little children other than with teenagers because they are kinder, more honest and open. They would hug me before and after classes and it made me feel so happy!
When I was giving a lesson for the first time at that school I had a nervous wreck - my knees were shaking, giant butterflies were flying around inside my stomach and my thoughts were in a total chaos. But day by day the whole strenuous thing disappeared and I just started to enjoy the process.  
So, I have some tips for those who only begin their career as a teacher:
1) First of all, you should stay confident in order to gain a firm standing. It is a must. But it's not a problem if you don't have it, "just fake it untill you make it".
2) Smile and be kind and open with children.
3) Improvise more and be prepared if something goes wrong.
4) Be emotional and supervise the teaching process by sharing how you feel (whether you are satisfied with their work or not). A good teacher is like an actor. Be ready to play a role of a "mother" or a good "adviser" to them.
5) If you promised children something, you are to keep it.
6) And finally, don't lose yourself. Your ideas, hopes and personal traits of character should always accompany your speech and the way you treat pupils.    

Love, Christina M.

Teaching Practice

I've just finished my teaching practice as an English teacher. I really doubted that it's possible for me to like it anyway so I hadn't had any high expectations about it. Any kind of expectations, to be fair. All I could think about was how to not mess everything up. It was really scary. Not the practice itself but that feeling of going to a unknown place. However, I considered that as an advantage to make my first impression. I like to believe that I succeeded in it.

When I first saw the 6th grade class I automatically knew that I'd choose them. In general, the practice lasted for 8 weeks but it seemed like 3 days. Children were so active and passionate during our lessons. Probably that was the best job I could ever ask for in my life. The best thing about it is that each day is interesting and it brings you new emotions and feelings. I got so inspired on my way home after school and I felt like I had wings and was able to actually fly. When you are performing a role of a teacher it's all different. It's that kind of responsibility that you feel all the time that makes you serious and patient. It is VERY importnat to keep calm in extraordinary situation because it's only you who makes proper decisions and it's only you who encourages children to study your subject. I fell in love with that job.   

I'm really thankful to my friend Daria who coloured some of the stressful moments of mine with her cheerful smile and positive way of thinking.

Now when I'm back at the uni it's really hard for me to concentrate my attention during lectures for more than 40 mins (the school influence, I guess). It's still hard to get into a groove but I promise that right after I finish this blogpost I'm geeting down to writing my thesis. Tschüβ!!

Love, Christina M.