Comments on: Bear with me! http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2008/04/10/bear-with-me/ Teaching, speaking, reading, pondering English Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:00:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: David V. http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2008/04/10/bear-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-9 David V. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:56:43 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=14#comment-9 Good luck with your blog, nice to have made your acquaintance. David V. Good luck with your blog, nice to have made your acquaintance.

David V.

]]> By: Eric Roth http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2008/04/10/bear-with-me/comment-page-1/#comment-8 Eric Roth Sun, 27 Apr 2008 01:55:55 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=14#comment-8 "Well begun is half done," goes the ancient Greek proverb. You're off to a strong start! As for questions from a teacher's perspective, I'm always curious about the perils and pleasures of part-time teacher. Do you feel like you belong to the department/school, or just your classroom? What about benefits? Due to the financial awkwardness that can come from part-time status, many ESL teachers often choose to tutor. What are some best practices? Good mistakes? Years ago, I was surprised to find out that several colleagues had clients pay in advance and sign a contract for their tutoring services. I had never been nearly so formal, but I also had never been burned the way some of my friends were by cancellations and "forgotten" payments. While I've turned by advanced ESL teaching and tutoring experience into a book that many tutors and teachers use, I'm also always looking for new teaching materials and outstanding resources. For instance, I just discovered the Center for Applied Linguistics website this year - after over a dozen years in the field. I would have loved to had these practical tools, especially the oral testing tips, while teaching part-time in Los Angeles years ago as a novice. Those are a few of my questions. Other ESL professionals will have other, perhaps better questions. Thanks, again, for starting your blog. “Well begun is half done,” goes the ancient Greek proverb.

You’re off to a strong start!

As for questions from a teacher’s perspective, I’m always curious about the perils and pleasures of part-time teacher. Do you feel like you belong to the department/school, or just your classroom? What about benefits?
Due to the financial awkwardness that can come from part-time status, many ESL teachers often choose to tutor. What are some best practices? Good mistakes?
Years ago, I was surprised to find out that several colleagues had clients pay in advance and sign a contract for their tutoring services. I had never been nearly so formal, but I also had never been burned the way some of my friends were by cancellations and “forgotten” payments.
While I’ve turned by advanced ESL teaching and tutoring experience into a book that many tutors and teachers use, I’m also always looking for new teaching materials and outstanding resources. For instance, I just discovered the Center for Applied Linguistics website this year – after over a dozen years in the field. I would have loved to had these practical tools, especially the oral testing tips, while teaching part-time in Los Angeles years ago as a novice.
Those are a few of my questions. Other ESL professionals will have other, perhaps better questions.
Thanks, again, for starting your blog.

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