I've been sitting through boring meetings all morning ignoring almost everything being said. No one really expects me to be listening anyway. They're really amazed when I, as an ALT, show up for meetings at all. The main reason that I do is because I like to be informed. If I don't go to meetings and keep my ears at least half open, I won't know what's going on at my school and no one will tell me. I not sure how other ALTs get their information. I guess that one of the English teachers is assigned to tell them what to do. Being able to understand basic Japanese and being a rather independent person, I'd rather hear the information from the source. Though it does make it difficult to pretend that I wasn't told about something.
During these boring meetings, I've been preparing myself for class even though it won't start until the 10th. Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be filled up with orientation. I don't really have much else to prepare for class, so maybe if I finish early, I can take some time off next week. I have some new ideas for this year, so I'll require more prep than last year. I think I went home early everyday during the first week last year. Honestly I think I'm making more work for myself in the end, but I think my students will enjoy some of the things I've planned. It feels nice to get a head start and have the time to think and rethink my plans, but things I want to do this year keep popping into my head. I should be writing a list. I guess I can do that during the next boring meeting.
One of the things I want to try is something that I stole from watching a elementary class in Shimo-Suwa. I plan to separate the classes into 5 or 6 groups. They'll be allowed to choose a group name, though I'll decide on the members. We tend to do a lot of games and activities in my class, so they'll have the same groups for those games for about half a year. The group leaders and I will keep a log of the points earned in each class. The accumulated points will go toward a prize or award that I'll give them at the end of the five or six months. Hopefully the competitive students will help encourage the slackers in my classes to participate more. I'll give points throughout the class for correct answers, perfect scores and even good questions in addition to regular game points. The elementary students seemed to really get into the activities and games during the class I watched. When they got a point for their team, it really seemed to bolster their confidence. I'd like to do the same for my students, and having them in groups means that the students who are weak in English will have others around them to help and encourage them to do better.
During these boring meetings, I've been preparing myself for class even though it won't start until the 10th. Next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be filled up with orientation. I don't really have much else to prepare for class, so maybe if I finish early, I can take some time off next week. I have some new ideas for this year, so I'll require more prep than last year. I think I went home early everyday during the first week last year. Honestly I think I'm making more work for myself in the end, but I think my students will enjoy some of the things I've planned. It feels nice to get a head start and have the time to think and rethink my plans, but things I want to do this year keep popping into my head. I should be writing a list. I guess I can do that during the next boring meeting.
One of the things I want to try is something that I stole from watching a elementary class in Shimo-Suwa. I plan to separate the classes into 5 or 6 groups. They'll be allowed to choose a group name, though I'll decide on the members. We tend to do a lot of games and activities in my class, so they'll have the same groups for those games for about half a year. The group leaders and I will keep a log of the points earned in each class. The accumulated points will go toward a prize or award that I'll give them at the end of the five or six months. Hopefully the competitive students will help encourage the slackers in my classes to participate more. I'll give points throughout the class for correct answers, perfect scores and even good questions in addition to regular game points. The elementary students seemed to really get into the activities and games during the class I watched. When they got a point for their team, it really seemed to bolster their confidence. I'd like to do the same for my students, and having them in groups means that the students who are weak in English will have others around them to help and encourage them to do better.
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