1. 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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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!

6. Defining and Maximizing the Role of the Assistant Teacher

7. AT =
Assistant Teacher
HT =
Host Teacher

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

9. 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?

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

11. Different Places: Same ProblemsAT 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 ? ? ? ? ?

12. I haven’t never taught before.

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

18. 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

19. 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 on handout

20. 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

21. Improving Communication between the HT and the AT

22. 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?

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

24. 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.

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

26. Thank you! Questions? Comments? Teachwithemily.wordpress.com
unx.uci.edu
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