16
Member Introductions / Re: Hello I'm Rita
« on: December 01, 2009, 07:55:53 PM »
Hi, I'm also a newbie to this forum, but then I still would want to welcome you. May we both learn a lot of things in English! 
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17
Your Thoughts Exactly / My struggles as a teacher
« on: November 27, 2009, 08:02:59 PM »
My stint in a government school began when my youngest son was only four months old and it was for a two-month substitute contract because the regular teacher was on maternity leave. The school was in a rural area somewhere in Rizal province. Having had previous teaching stints in two Catholic schools, I was really perplexed by the new school system I now had to deal with. First, the faculty room. It was on the building's second floor, not spacious enough for ten or more tables for the ten teachers and with a lot of books and papers scattered all over. During class breaks, though, students could still get in and chat with one of the teachers; or, more often, teachers could have conversations with one another. Yes, there was no refrigerator, microwave, or air-conditioner, but the place was a haven for the restless faculty members who had to do their job dutifully every day.
Then I was introduced to the members of the department. A simple introduction it was, for I was only staying for two months anyway. On the first day, a senior teacher gave me a book and told me to prepare my lesson plan and start the classes according to the teacher’s schedule. No other briefing was done because everyone was busy attending to their own business in the classroom. I was assigned to be the captain of a ship that I didn't know anything about, so I just headed to where they told me I should be. I began teaching the students, followed the plan according to the textbook, but still got dumbfounded by everything that was happening. I knew the school’s name, the principal, my immediate co-teachers, my students, the canteen, and the faculty room, but I had no idea whatsoever of the school’s rules and regulations. I wasn't familiar either with all of the classrooms and the surrounding community. There was no memorandum to read every day, no one even cared to check my lesson plan regularly, and no one was available to answer whatever question I might have. A formal meeting happened only if called by the principal.
IMAGE CREDIT: TEACHERPH.COM
In the two private schools where I had previously taught, I was given a primer about the students, the teachers, and the school itself. I was introduced to the proper authorities to talk to every time I encountered a problem. There was a regular meeting by department to update each and everyone of school events and of any news concerning the institution. As for me, I was careful of my behavior to avoid complaints from parents.
So I began comparing the mode of instruction between the public school I was in and the two private schools that I had previously been.
In those two private schools, I could overlook the lesson plan duty; there was a textbook anyway. Examination questions were derived from it so there was no reason to deviate. I also got accustomed to teaching students in prescribed uniform, complete from head to foot. They had to bring to school five books or more, depending on the number of their subjects. Discussing the lesson with them was easy because most usually would have read the topic in advance and could participate by answering the questions.
This wasn’t the case at all in that public school where I got assigned. There were hardly any books. There were only five to ten students who had them in their bags. Due to the very limited number of books allotted to the school, some students got copies but others didn't. Some students had notebooks; others didn't have any. To them, attendance was much more important than the subjects they had to study.
My purpose was to make them learn, so I made every effort to deliver the lessons properly. However, I had to be extra resourceful because no material was available for visual aids except the classics, some manila paper, and a few pentel pens. So I had to buy most of the unprovided materials myself--even the chalk that I had to use every day. To think that I still hadn't received my first paycheck then. Imagine going to work not knowing when you’re going to be paid! Ask other public school teachers in the rural areas; many have had the same experience, perhaps even worse than mine.
There was also a particularly disturbing incident in that public school that concerned a co-teacher. One time, while I was discussing a lesson in class, I was told by my students that their classroom adviser was looking for a particular student in that class of mine. I couldn't remember the name now, but she was a girl. Anyway I promptly excused her from class, thinking that the classroom adviser only needed to tell her something important and would send her back right away. But I was wrong. I waited and waited but she never came back. After class, however, I saw the girl in the faculty room braiding the hair of another teacher! I was so annoyed by that teacher’s conduct! How could she enjoy having herself beautified by a student who’s supposed to be in class studying English? But then, I told myself, who was I to object? I was only a substitute teacher. Some--maybe most--regular and old teachers have the luxury of being overcome by such instances of complacency.
After two grueling months of teaching from February to March, I thought I could finally sleep peacefully. But I was wrong again! I was unexpectedly assigned to do all the reports for that advisory class, and this involved accomplishing the secondary promotion forms manually and in triplicate at that! Since they made me understand that I wouldn’t be cleared if I didn't do that task, I worked so hard to finish all the reports that needed to be submitted. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet the deadline, for being a working mom I had to do so many other chores at home.
As it turned out, the school official who had to sign the papers I worked on wasn’t in the office anymore. It was almost April by then--vacation time--so I was instructed to see him in his house in another town across a lake. So, together with my mother and brother, I rode a motorboat and looked for that school official in an island in mid-lake. The only consolation after that boat trip was that it wasn't hard to look for a teacher in a small island-town; his profession made him unique, I guess, and most of the neighborhood happened to be relatives of his. In any case, it was a great relief to have all those papers signed by him, for I expected to finally get my paycheck after those three long months of backbreaking work.
But that expectation didn't materialize. I waited for that paycheck for several months but it I didn’t come. I had chosen to stop working then to become a full-time wife and to spend more time with my kids. I finally got that paycheck in July. It was a one-month payment for a Teacher 1 category--the value of all the effort and trouble that I had gone though.
What happened to me was an experience I would never forget as a teacher, but it didn’t discourage me from applying to another government school somewhere in Manila. I was able to teach but again, not with a permanent contract! Out of the 500 teachers who applied, my rank was somewhere between 1 and 20, but still I couldn’t get a permanent item. At that time, I overheard someone say: "Some schools lack teachers but non-teaching personnel get the items supposed to be allotted to them." Another co-educator told me: "Somebody in a district office should back you up to be able to get a teaching item.” That’s easy for them to say, but I made it a point to play fair.
This is a dilemma that I think has been plaguing our educational system for years. Government schools perennially experience a scarcity of teachers, but there are many teachers who are either underemployed or unemployed. When will there be a balance between supply and demand?
(Joe, this is my first ever essay posted in a forum and as a teacher. I know there are grammar mistakes, so I would appreciate your corrections because I still want to improve.)
Then I was introduced to the members of the department. A simple introduction it was, for I was only staying for two months anyway. On the first day, a senior teacher gave me a book and told me to prepare my lesson plan and start the classes according to the teacher’s schedule. No other briefing was done because everyone was busy attending to their own business in the classroom. I was assigned to be the captain of a ship that I didn't know anything about, so I just headed to where they told me I should be. I began teaching the students, followed the plan according to the textbook, but still got dumbfounded by everything that was happening. I knew the school’s name, the principal, my immediate co-teachers, my students, the canteen, and the faculty room, but I had no idea whatsoever of the school’s rules and regulations. I wasn't familiar either with all of the classrooms and the surrounding community. There was no memorandum to read every day, no one even cared to check my lesson plan regularly, and no one was available to answer whatever question I might have. A formal meeting happened only if called by the principal.
THIS PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY A DEPED TEACHER IS BEING USED HERE FOR REPRESENTATION PURPOSES ONLY
In the two private schools where I had previously taught, I was given a primer about the students, the teachers, and the school itself. I was introduced to the proper authorities to talk to every time I encountered a problem. There was a regular meeting by department to update each and everyone of school events and of any news concerning the institution. As for me, I was careful of my behavior to avoid complaints from parents.
So I began comparing the mode of instruction between the public school I was in and the two private schools that I had previously been.
In those two private schools, I could overlook the lesson plan duty; there was a textbook anyway. Examination questions were derived from it so there was no reason to deviate. I also got accustomed to teaching students in prescribed uniform, complete from head to foot. They had to bring to school five books or more, depending on the number of their subjects. Discussing the lesson with them was easy because most usually would have read the topic in advance and could participate by answering the questions.
This wasn’t the case at all in that public school where I got assigned. There were hardly any books. There were only five to ten students who had them in their bags. Due to the very limited number of books allotted to the school, some students got copies but others didn't. Some students had notebooks; others didn't have any. To them, attendance was much more important than the subjects they had to study.
My purpose was to make them learn, so I made every effort to deliver the lessons properly. However, I had to be extra resourceful because no material was available for visual aids except the classics, some manila paper, and a few pentel pens. So I had to buy most of the unprovided materials myself--even the chalk that I had to use every day. To think that I still hadn't received my first paycheck then. Imagine going to work not knowing when you’re going to be paid! Ask other public school teachers in the rural areas; many have had the same experience, perhaps even worse than mine.
There was also a particularly disturbing incident in that public school that concerned a co-teacher. One time, while I was discussing a lesson in class, I was told by my students that their classroom adviser was looking for a particular student in that class of mine. I couldn't remember the name now, but she was a girl. Anyway I promptly excused her from class, thinking that the classroom adviser only needed to tell her something important and would send her back right away. But I was wrong. I waited and waited but she never came back. After class, however, I saw the girl in the faculty room braiding the hair of another teacher! I was so annoyed by that teacher’s conduct! How could she enjoy having herself beautified by a student who’s supposed to be in class studying English? But then, I told myself, who was I to object? I was only a substitute teacher. Some--maybe most--regular and old teachers have the luxury of being overcome by such instances of complacency.
After two grueling months of teaching from February to March, I thought I could finally sleep peacefully. But I was wrong again! I was unexpectedly assigned to do all the reports for that advisory class, and this involved accomplishing the secondary promotion forms manually and in triplicate at that! Since they made me understand that I wouldn’t be cleared if I didn't do that task, I worked so hard to finish all the reports that needed to be submitted. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet the deadline, for being a working mom I had to do so many other chores at home.
As it turned out, the school official who had to sign the papers I worked on wasn’t in the office anymore. It was almost April by then--vacation time--so I was instructed to see him in his house in another town across a lake. So, together with my mother and brother, I rode a motorboat and looked for that school official in an island in mid-lake. The only consolation after that boat trip was that it wasn't hard to look for a teacher in a small island-town; his profession made him unique, I guess, and most of the neighborhood happened to be relatives of his. In any case, it was a great relief to have all those papers signed by him, for I expected to finally get my paycheck after those three long months of backbreaking work.
But that expectation didn't materialize. I waited for that paycheck for several months but it I didn’t come. I had chosen to stop working then to become a full-time wife and to spend more time with my kids. I finally got that paycheck in July. It was a one-month payment for a Teacher 1 category--the value of all the effort and trouble that I had gone though.
What happened to me was an experience I would never forget as a teacher, but it didn’t discourage me from applying to another government school somewhere in Manila. I was able to teach but again, not with a permanent contract! Out of the 500 teachers who applied, my rank was somewhere between 1 and 20, but still I couldn’t get a permanent item. At that time, I overheard someone say: "Some schools lack teachers but non-teaching personnel get the items supposed to be allotted to them." Another co-educator told me: "Somebody in a district office should back you up to be able to get a teaching item.” That’s easy for them to say, but I made it a point to play fair.
This is a dilemma that I think has been plaguing our educational system for years. Government schools perennially experience a scarcity of teachers, but there are many teachers who are either underemployed or unemployed. When will there be a balance between supply and demand?
(Joe, this is my first ever essay posted in a forum and as a teacher. I know there are grammar mistakes, so I would appreciate your corrections because I still want to improve.)
18
Education and Teaching / Re: improving teachers' english
« on: November 26, 2009, 04:52:06 PM »
Hello madgirl!
First, I’m so proud to be a female!
I think I’m not worthy enough to give suggestions on improving’s oneself because I’m an ordinary Filipino trying to make a living out of my humble profession as a teacher. I think your expertise should better be shared to us because you’re already in another country (Japan,right?)earning more and dealing with people of another ancestry.And I think you’ve said it:”regular use of the language and serious self study could propel one’s growth”.
Aside from the trainings I attended and the passion to learn English,I think I developed my communication skills using the second language.Now I think I’m ready to go back to the academe and impart to my students what I learned.Of course, that would mean continuous learning... again.
First, I’m so proud to be a female!
I think I’m not worthy enough to give suggestions on improving’s oneself because I’m an ordinary Filipino trying to make a living out of my humble profession as a teacher. I think your expertise should better be shared to us because you’re already in another country (Japan,right?)earning more and dealing with people of another ancestry.And I think you’ve said it:”regular use of the language and serious self study could propel one’s growth”.
Aside from the trainings I attended and the passion to learn English,I think I developed my communication skills using the second language.Now I think I’m ready to go back to the academe and impart to my students what I learned.Of course, that would mean continuous learning... again.
19
Badly Written, Badly Spoken / Re: Can anyone translate this for me?
« on: November 26, 2009, 04:24:59 PM »
Are you sure you really need someone to translate it for you? I think you're smart enough to comprehend.However, here's how I understand it:
If you're an adolescent with special needs( just like a special child), then you need behavior coaching.An expert in Special Education is the best person to help you behave like a normal person.
If you're an adolescent with special needs( just like a special child), then you need behavior coaching.An expert in Special Education is the best person to help you behave like a normal person.
20
Lounge / Re: A trip down memory lane
« on: November 26, 2009, 02:52:20 PM »
I wonder why only one member of the forum responded to this post.Is it because most members were born in the 90’s?or simply they don’t have time to use the computer anymore because they’ve tried playing outside?
Well I was born in 1975 and I’ve enjoyed playing outside the whole day on weekends and holidays.All the things that could be used for child’s enjoyment can be found in the house, or within the surroundings.As I was reading the article, I remembered those simple moments that helped shaped me as a person.
Since I have three growing boys, I tell them to play with their friends in the neighborhood rather than playing computer games or PSP most of the time. It’s a skill to know how to use modern gadgets, but it’s’ better to get tired and be perspired with real people.
Well I was born in 1975 and I’ve enjoyed playing outside the whole day on weekends and holidays.All the things that could be used for child’s enjoyment can be found in the house, or within the surroundings.As I was reading the article, I remembered those simple moments that helped shaped me as a person.
Since I have three growing boys, I tell them to play with their friends in the neighborhood rather than playing computer games or PSP most of the time. It’s a skill to know how to use modern gadgets, but it’s’ better to get tired and be perspired with real people.
21
Lounge / Re: Source of knowledge
« on: November 26, 2009, 02:17:08 PM »
Thank you so much for your prompt reply! I really have to save something from my income for me to buy "English Plain and Simple".Actually, I found out just this afternoon that one of my colleagues already has it but she doesn't know about your forum....so I told her.Anyways,thanks again 
22
Lounge / Source of knowledge
« on: November 25, 2009, 10:12:50 PM »
Joe,
I would want to know if you have a grammar book which showcases all the grammar rules to consider when studying English.Can you tell me the approximate price? I want to have one which will become my immediate "source of knowledge" if ever I'll go back to school and teach.
thanks!
I would want to know if you have a grammar book which showcases all the grammar rules to consider when studying English.Can you tell me the approximate price? I want to have one which will become my immediate "source of knowledge" if ever I'll go back to school and teach.
thanks!
23
Education and Teaching / Re: improving teachers' english
« on: November 25, 2009, 03:54:17 PM »
Greetings Joe! (I want to add Mr. or Ms. but I’ve no idea about you, although Joe is a male name). I wonder why you didn’t reply to penmanila’s queery here because I have the same questions in mind. During my early years of education, I looked up to my English teachers because they spoke a language not spoken at home and in my community.Though I studied in public schools, we were encouraged to speak English inside the classroom only during this subject. I don’t remember any of my English teachers committing mistakes in delivering the lessons.
I haven’t been teaching in the academe for four years now so I’ve no idea if classroom teachers are updated of trainings needed to be at par with ESL instructors. Most teachers speak English with Filipino intonation and even English majors do so. English as a subject is more concerned with grammar rules but teachers should also be aware of the correct pronunciation of words.
There’s this American blogger who went to the Philippines for a glimpse of the country and he summarized in his entry that Filipinos are good English speakers.And that the language is spoken by most people.Well I think he had to say that because he was here to add more advertisement for his BPO site.However, I may say that we are fortunate compared to some of our Asian brothers because English is taught as a major subject in school.
Going back to penmanila’s post, seminars and trainings really help,especially if teachers are willing enough to update themselves.
I haven’t been teaching in the academe for four years now so I’ve no idea if classroom teachers are updated of trainings needed to be at par with ESL instructors. Most teachers speak English with Filipino intonation and even English majors do so. English as a subject is more concerned with grammar rules but teachers should also be aware of the correct pronunciation of words.
There’s this American blogger who went to the Philippines for a glimpse of the country and he summarized in his entry that Filipinos are good English speakers.And that the language is spoken by most people.Well I think he had to say that because he was here to add more advertisement for his BPO site.However, I may say that we are fortunate compared to some of our Asian brothers because English is taught as a major subject in school.
Going back to penmanila’s post, seminars and trainings really help,especially if teachers are willing enough to update themselves.
24
Use and Misuse / Re: Comparatives
« on: November 23, 2009, 07:04:29 PM »
Oooopps!I committed a mistake...forgot to preview.Regarding the second sentence of my comment to tonybau's post: it should be:"what it wants to imply" (not implies).Apologies 
25
Your Thoughts Exactly / Re: Advocacy for Formal Language Instruction
« on: November 23, 2009, 05:50:11 PM »
Our students are greatly influenced by modern technology and so many other factors.They’ve become impatient because everything can happen in a flash. They don’t even want to use longer words while writing (observe their messages on cellphones and Facebook, etc.)because they want to do everything fast.Inside the classroom, most students wouldn’t respond to a teacher’s question immediately, unless there is one who’s really focused on the lesson.
How can they learn the difference between formal and informal language if the focus of our education is in Math and Science?We don’t have to analyze words through these subjects.The focus is on the solution of a problem and of an experiment.They wouldn’t know how to explain if they lack the words to use to form the ideas.But our curriculum changes,in accordance with the changing times(DepEd huh!).We teachers only follow what is being ordered for us to do.Forget about the quality,let’s finish what should be done on time.
Well, like I’ve said,there are so many factors that affect the way how our youth speaks.It begins at home, then in their community, which includes the church,school,market,etcetera. Nowadays, both parents have to work,so who would teach the children at home?It can be the grandparents,relatives or the yayas.But will they be as concerned as far as the parents are?It’s hard to know if learning is really reinforced at home.
Within the community, do we know who their friends are?They talk to different people everyday,you’ll be surprised to hear words not spoken at home.And the teachers?Do they also explain the lesson using the formal way of communication?Some do,others don’t.When I substituted in a public school,some teachers talk just like the students.Imagine talking to fifty or more students multiplied to six sections!Teachers are the ones who adapt youth’s language.What a pity!
However, when I was in a Catholic school, teachers are more conscious of their speech and behavior.Of course, we’re afraid to hear complaints from parents, these will be demerits on our part.And there were more activities or seminars to update teachers of whatever is needed.
All of us should do our part so that formal language can be promoted to the youth and to those who don’t know how to use it.
How can they learn the difference between formal and informal language if the focus of our education is in Math and Science?We don’t have to analyze words through these subjects.The focus is on the solution of a problem and of an experiment.They wouldn’t know how to explain if they lack the words to use to form the ideas.But our curriculum changes,in accordance with the changing times(DepEd huh!).We teachers only follow what is being ordered for us to do.Forget about the quality,let’s finish what should be done on time.
Well, like I’ve said,there are so many factors that affect the way how our youth speaks.It begins at home, then in their community, which includes the church,school,market,etcetera. Nowadays, both parents have to work,so who would teach the children at home?It can be the grandparents,relatives or the yayas.But will they be as concerned as far as the parents are?It’s hard to know if learning is really reinforced at home.
Within the community, do we know who their friends are?They talk to different people everyday,you’ll be surprised to hear words not spoken at home.And the teachers?Do they also explain the lesson using the formal way of communication?Some do,others don’t.When I substituted in a public school,some teachers talk just like the students.Imagine talking to fifty or more students multiplied to six sections!Teachers are the ones who adapt youth’s language.What a pity!
However, when I was in a Catholic school, teachers are more conscious of their speech and behavior.Of course, we’re afraid to hear complaints from parents, these will be demerits on our part.And there were more activities or seminars to update teachers of whatever is needed.
All of us should do our part so that formal language can be promoted to the youth and to those who don’t know how to use it.
26
Use and Misuse / Re: Comparatives
« on: November 23, 2009, 04:39:35 PM »
It stirred my mind to think.But I think the sentence is grammatically correct,considering what it wants to implies as a bus company."Better and safer" really rhymes and adheres to the fact of reaching the number of Filipinos who would understand simple and plain English.Can you suggest one more word that would rhyme with "safely"?
By the way, I don't represent Victory liner.
By the way, I don't represent Victory liner.
27
Your Thoughts Exactly / Re: Non English majors teaching English
« on: November 18, 2009, 05:22:50 PM »
hello to you renzphotography,
That was a brilliant analysis of my concerns.But with regards to my second statement,I don't want to offend English majors teaching in regular classrooms.I respect their qualification,they still have to produce graduates with good communication skills.
Thank you so much!
That was a brilliant analysis of my concerns.But with regards to my second statement,I don't want to offend English majors teaching in regular classrooms.I respect their qualification,they still have to produce graduates with good communication skills.
Thank you so much!
28
Your Thoughts Exactly / Non English majors teaching English
« on: November 17, 2009, 08:01:26 PM »This is such a very informative site. I didn’t even know that I have fellow Filipinos who share their exceptional ideas in English on the web. Maybe most of us know about business process outsourcing which gave birth to call center agents and online teachers.Indeed, BPO companies provided employment for many Filipinos and I am one of them.In reality, I am a licensed Social Studies major but as of the moment, I am an online English teacher.”Why are you not teaching in a regular school” was the repeated question I heard from some of my young colleagues and former Education classmates. I would just tell them that there wasn’t an available item for a Social Studies major in government schools. Actually, I have applied twice for a teaching position in government schools but I’m not fortunate enough to get the most coveted item.
I began to dislike teaching the subject because there are so many Social Studies teachers with few items available in public schools.I decided to shift by applying in an online company and consequently teach English.My love for the language was rekindled, and began to discover that my knowledge in English was so insufficient to teach the subject to foreigners.Luckily, online companies give free trainings in grammar, accent and pronunciation to satisfy the needs of learners.Because of these trainings, I determined the difference of a classroom English teacher to an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor.Classroom teachers focus on the rules (based on my primary and secondary school experiences)without putting into practice what they’ve taught.
Maybe because it will sound OA to listen to people speaking in English while all others converse with their native tongue.Also, students are more comfortable with their own language (anyone familiar with teen talk?).
Teaching Koreans was never my dream but it happened. I developed my communication skills and embraced technology to conduct classes.But I got weary because in an online company, a teaching license and even a degree in Education isn’t very important for as long as an applicant has a college diploma and is trainable (though some of these “teachers” can speak fluently).Forgive us for grammar mistakes in sentences,thus, we continuously study to master this part.
Now here are my concerns:
1. Online companies are here for business.Until when are they going to invest in the Philippines?I heard some just declare bankruptcy leaving their employees’ jobless.
2. If these non English majors can develop their communication skills with a good accent, do our own English teachers undergo trainings too?
3. Is there a program/curriculum in school that intensifies English as our second language?
4. Is it justifiable that we, non English majors, teach English?
To sum it all up, online teaching is good, but classroom teaching is incomparable.Talking to real students and teaching your fellowmen is honorable.Combining English with Social Studies is quite a challenge but here comes versatility.Finally, joining a forum like this is very enlightening.
29
Member Introductions / Hello everyone...!
« on: November 17, 2009, 07:59:15 PM »
I am so happy to be a part of an intellectual forum.Hope I'll have more free time to reply and read posts.
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