Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Teaching English

Life happens quickly in the USA.  I haven't had much time for writing, and I miss it.  I hope to do better at blogging in the coming weeks.

I'm now in week three of my first class in my M.Ed program.  So far...LOVING it.  I even found a local ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching job.  I've applied for it, and we shall see what the employer thinks of my resume.  The job would stretch me but it would also be fantastic experience.  My advisor for my M.Ed has even offered to help me if I need ideas for lessons.  

This week, we were tasked with creating a graphic to show the diversity of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Contexts.  It doesn't take much research to see that English is in demand, in a plethora of nations and situations.  

I had the advantage on this assignment.  I still appreciated seeing the other examples, but it was really special to reflect on the number of ways I've been involved in TESOL.  

Six years ago, I was in China.  I remember being stunned by the number of people who just walked up to me and wanted to speak in English.  High school students, university students, business professionals, sales associates, even national teachers of English wanted to speak with a native English speaker.  It was humbling and a little overwhelming to consider that they wanted to speak to me, a 22 year old Zimbabwean/American girl who didn't even know what she wanted to do with her life.  

And now, six years later, I feel so blessed to have had those experiences. As I flip through pictures, I have only good memories.  I don't remember all of the names, but their faces and their desire to learn are forever stored in my mind.  

It is their passion to learn that has been my motivation to do this M.ED.  English language learners who have that much passion for their studies deserve to have a well qualified teacher.  

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