3701. When the Teacher Encounters a Challenging Situation in Class - What to Do?

 You know what? A couple of days ago I came across a new class of students I have to teach English to. They are adults, with a big wish to learn that language. 

I had planned to convey the same messages both in English and in Spanish, their – our – mother tongue. I came to the classroom with enthusiasm, prone to serve those great people. 

And you know what I encountered? They are beginners and false beginners! Great students though. 

My assistant teacher was with me – he is learning how to teach English and is a native speaker himself, from San Diego, California. Ok, they knew nothing or close to. 

I had brought photocopies for them, taken from a textbook of A2/B1 level, this is, low beginner to lower intermediate – more A2 than B1, because that copy was from the very first unit. 

But my dear students needed I had to explain and present absolutely every detail from basic questions, you know, present simple with Do and Does, and similar basic stuff. Oh, man, it’s kind of a big challenge, a nice one anyway. 

I had to get flexible on the spot, and change all I had thought for that first lesson and all my regular teaching – I often teach intermediate and quite advanced students. And I’ve got to change my mind about them. For next lesson I’ve prepped a basic worksheet for them, and I have the mind of explaining and presenting every necessary detail and grammar and vocab points. Let’s see. 

Thank God I have a positive point to teach my dear students – affection, benevolence love, and eagerness to serve them. Let’s see, as I said. Let’s see who turn up next lesson – I hope they have not gotten disappointed! 

And I have to use L1, Spanish namely. Anyways, they have to also hear English so they get used to the language and its texture. I hope to say the same messages in both tongues, L1 and L2. 

Besides in principle we’ll also use a graded reader in class and at home, some A1/A2, an adaptation from Jules Verne – From the Earth to the Moon. Let’s fly them to the moon and beyond, if possible. It’s also a relief last summer I read books from which I take up the values they teach, like affection, love, and service to the community and the singular persons. I’m open to receive any proposals from you readers. Have a nice day.

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