Emily Wong and Emily Ellis UC Irvine International Programs Braving An EFL Classroom: Maximizing the Assistant Language Teacher’s Role Emily Wong and Emily Ellis UC Irvine International Programs CATESOL 2015

Who are we? ESL and TEFL instructors at UCI Extension About ten years of teaching experience Former assistant teachers of English

Who are you? Teachers hosting assistant teachers? Teachers wanting to be assistant teachers? Other…

Our Purpose To provide assistants, host teachers, directors, and teacher trainers with ideas for: Defining and maximizing the role of the AT Improving communication between HTs and ATs

Our Experience Japan: JET “ALT” Spain: Fulbright “ETA” 2 years JHS and Elementary Only tutoring experience before going Intermediate Japanese language skills Loves Japan! 1 year High school Two years teaching experience (as graduate teaching assistant) Advanced Spanish language skills Loves Spain!

Defining and Maximizing the Role of the Assistant Teacher

AT = Assistant Teacher HT = Host Teacher

Programs that hire ATs JET Fulbright ELF (English Language Fellows) Peace Corp EPIK (S. Korea) NET (Hong Kong) Embassy sponsored programs (France, Spain, etc.)

Why do so many countries invite ATs into their classrooms? Intuición 直感 embajadores culturales celebridad extranjera 外国の有名人 What is your opinion?

Why do so many countries invite ATs into their classrooms? native speakers with intuition about natural language use cultural ambassadors authentic “foreign celebrity” status

Different Places: Same Problems AT HT Both Assistants are not trained in TEFL Assistants unclear about roles Host Teachers unclear about how to use assistants Lack of deliberate collaboration Lack of Cultural Understanding ? ? ? ? ?

I haven’t never taught before.

Discussion Make a list: What is the ideal role the host teacher should assume? What is the ideal role the assistant teacher should assume?

The Role of the Host Teacher knows and communicates (as needed) the direction of class disciplines students includes AT in planning process designates specific tasks to AT acknowledges that AT may not be a trained teacher

The Role of the Assistant Teacher Expert Question Maker Expert Sentence Maker Expert Online Researcher Human Dictionary Expert Writer Expert Instructions Checker Expert Elaborator / Simplifier Expert in Culture Refer to pg. 1 - 2 on handout

Apply your knowledge of TEFL/TESL scaffolding making input more comprehensible deliberate use of student structures (group/pair work) logical sequencing of activities meta knowledge of grammar and vocabulary

Improving Communication between the HT and the AT

What can be done before the assistant arrives? AT learns about host institution Contact other assistants in the area If possible, contact teachers Assistant learns about school system and classroom culture AT and HT develop cultural awareness Do not get offended so easily. Do not offend. Refer to pg. 3 on handout Add expectations?

Maintaining Good Communication Set aside a time to plan with HT. HT and AT should agree upon the following areas: preferred method of communication (email, phone, sticky notes) how to manage mistakes during the lesson protocol for disciplinary issues what should be prepared before each class

Anticipating Potentially Offensive Behavior Consider what respect looks like in an American classroom. If you experience what you perceive to be disrespectful, don’t take it personally. Learn what’s the norm in the host culture. Students make eye contact with the teacher. Students don’t look bored, fall asleep, talk to friends, or do other things in class. Students don’t point at the AT, speak native language, and laugh. Students raise their hand before talking. Students try to participate, don’t give up so quickly.

Review Be proactive and suggest ideas Discuss, be honest, and welcome honesty Be culturally sensitive and find teachable moments

Thank you! Questions? Comments? Teachwithemily.wordpress.com Emily.wong@unx.uci.edu Emily.ellis@ unx.uci.edu Teachwithemily.wordpress.com