English Toolbox Tips

Our last contest asked you to tell us about any disputes you’ve had with your supervisor, school owner, DOS, etc., concerning teaching methodologies or classroom activities. But we didn’t anticipate the large number of e-mails that reported disputes with the boss over whether or not to teach at all! Typical was Jenny L. in Charleston, South Carolina, who remembers her days as a teacher in a Japanese kindergarten: "The director really wanted me to play games, sing songs and draw pictures with the kids, because she wanted them to tell their parents they were having lots of fun, and thereby encourage them to keep paying the tuition. Even though the kids seemed to like learning English, the boss thought it was enough for them to hear me speaking the language while I was playing with them: I guess she figured they’d learn by osmosis!" We hear you, Jenny--hopefully you can use your five free English Toolbox credits for some real teaching!

For our next contest, we’re asking our American teachers if they’ve encountered more hostility lately towards their native land due to the Iraq War, George Bush, et al. The most interesting response will win its author five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 25 January.