New Semester Brings Delightful Surprises

I have taught English for 12 years. I have met all sorts of students and have been in various teaching scenarios. I thought this semester was going to be pretty much like the usual. I didn't have any particular expectations. I had so many things going on in my head at the start of the school year, like my boy is going to a new and a little more expensive school and all other stuffs that preoccupy a normal working mother. But I was particularly worried about a major subject I would be handling again for the second time. My previous experience was wrought with much dismay both from me and my students who had not heard nor had been taught most of the foundational concepts in language teaching and there they were in my language testing class and instructional materials design. Why in the world these two concerns in language pedagogy are lumped under one subject is altogether another matter that needed to be clarified.

Unexpectedly, the classes I have this semester have one of the most unusual set-up. One is the way they are scheduled. By force of circumstance, I had to place 4 of my classes on a 3 hour straight slot on Saturdays and Mondays. Nevertheless, I have the least number of students in my English 1 classes compared to the burgeoning and cramped sections of 45 students in most English 1 classes. One class is a block section of Biology students. The other is a mixture of old timers (already in their 3rd or fourth year) and new timers (back-to-school and 2nd courser students) in IIT.

Last week and this week brought delightful surprises. I was particularly amused by my English 1 students insights of the parable in their workbook - The Parable of an Eagle. I was also impressed by my education major students report and the demo/skit of teaching techniques by the AB-English majors.

I feel privileged to be in these classes. I am looking forward to a semester of learning and growing for me. Indeed, I have to keep growing to keep on teaching. I am definitely looking forward to meeting my classes regularly this semester.

 
     
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