It is hard to imagine the paths that twist and turn and then take you to a destination that is beyond my wildest dreams; in fact, I don't think I was dreaming this at all! As you know, I teach English as a Second Language. The nature of the work is that it is contract only. You fulfill a contract and then move on to the next one. Sometimes a company/organization/agency will continue to renew the contract, but other than that, it is not a permanent job by any stretch of the imagination.
Some of my contracts have been here at the local college in Olds. I teach a course of my own design called "How to Survive in Canada" to international students. I answer questions such as how to do banking, how to write an essay that is seen as organized by our western standards, and occasionally have to answer questions about dating!
Another place that I have taught is in Red Deer at an immigration agency. Here, I teach people from a variety of countries as well as levels. Sometimes my students have only been in Canada for a few months. If it is at the beginning of winter, I have to encourage them as much as I can that our winters don't last forever despite how they feel. Sometimes I feel like the president of the United Nations in that I may have anywhere from 6-7 different languages represented by up to 10 different countries. No, I don't speak any other language other than English; their job is learn English to the best of their abilities.
I have also done some video conferencing. I taught a class in one town and it was video conferenced as I had a "virtual" class as well. That was a real steep learning curve! All my materials had to be in PowerPoint and on the SmartBoard.
Because I am my own person, I also try as much as possible to upgrade and continue to seek opportunities for professional development. Last summer, there was a course using the curriculum developed by Advanced Consulting Education in which I learned how to teach teachers how to teach English as a second language to their students or train the trainer. After this course, I kept in contact with the head teacher and business owner of this company, inquiring where I could teach this course. She had asked if I was willing to teach the course in their intensive module. It meant that I might be away for one month as I would teach this course over a period of 4 weeks.
Paris and I talked about it and thought that it might be a good idea. After all, the potential colleges or universities where this curriculum is taught were mostly in Ontario, two in Manitoba and 3 in Alberta. I figured that I would be staying within this country and possibly fitting in time to be with my family.
A few weeks ago, she emailed and told me of a potential placement/contract for me. I was curious and excited. Her next email divulged where the potential was--CHINA!! I didn't expect that! I was thinking of staying within this continent. Both Paris and I agree that it is a wonderful opportunity for me, despite the fact that I will be away for almost 6 weeks.
One of the things that I am interested in experiencing is what it is like to be in another culture. I often have to encourage my students through their difficulties of getting used to our Canadian weather, food, traditions, language and culture. I really want to "walk a mile in their shoes." I see this opportunity as a way of increasing my empathy for my students. I guess I don't want my words to be empty when I acknowledge that learning English is difficult but they can do it.
I am hoping that this blog will serve two purposes: 1) to help me process my journey of learning a new culture, if only for 5 weeks and 2) to let you know how things are going.
Until next time...
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