English Toolbox Tips

We asked you last time to tell us about your most inspirational student, and we received some wonderful examples in our inbox. Our favorite came from Dennis K. in Dortmund, Germany. One of his students is an engineer originally from Shanghai, China. During the Cultural Revolution, this man's father was arrested and denounced as an "imperialist" and "traitor to the revolution." The student (then just a boy) could only visit his father in prison a few times a year; in the meantime, he was regularly abused by other children for having a father who was a "counter-revolutionary." After becoming an engineer and studying German at his university in China, the student was given the chance to move to Germany with his wife to work on a Chinese-German joint venture. He eventually achieved permanent residency, and is now afforded the same rights as any German. In relating his biography, the student told his teacher, Dennis: "I have a good family, a good job, a good pension and benefits -- my life is sweet!" Wow, Dennis: talk about your "Triumph of the Human Spirit Blah-Blah-Blah!" That story is certainly worth five free English Toolbox credits.

For our next contest, we'd like to know what you consider to have been your worst mistake as an English teacher. Was it related to your choice of where to teach, or something you did in the classroom, or something you did or said to a student? The most blood-curdling tale will win the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 30 April.

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL

Based on this article, and those linked at the bottom of the page, it seems like a great time to be a British ESL teacher!

http://education.guardian.co.uk/tefl/story/0,,2252352,00.html

But this Minister says, "Not so fast!":

http://education.guardian.co.uk/further/opinion/story/0,,1990947,00.html

Labels: EFL, teaching English, TEFL

We asked in our last contest if you are planning to get additional training as an English teacher (e.g., a CELTA certificate, Masters degree, etc.). Most of the replies were variations of "maybe," but we did get this interesting comment from Allyne W. in Lianyuan, China: "If I ever find that positions requiring a Masters Degree are paying X dollars more than less-qualified positions, and X exceeds the cost of student loans plus interest over ten years, then I’ll get a Masters Degree!" Very practical, Allyne: we hope you’ll find your five free English Toolbox credits worthwhile, too!

For our next contest, we’d like to know about a student who inspired you, either as a teacher or just on a human level. The most inspiring story will win the sender five free English Toolbox credits, even if s/he does not currently subscribe. Send your contributions to info@englishtoolbox.com by 15 April.