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No matter what level or age you are teaching, another new academic year has started. Like every other new thing, a new term brings new ideas, new plans and new hopes together. For me, it has always been like starting a cute brand new notebook and a cute pen (probably a fancy glitter fur one:)) Feeling the fresh smell of the books, trying each new pen at a time and walking through the corridors watching lovely colourful bulletin boards. With all these, your heart beat fast and then comes your first step into your new class. Seeing the students (like a group of MSN Smileys:) ready and willing, you have your first lesson happily.
A new term is also like a new film. There are actors and actresses, directors, cameramen and even make-up artists:) Each star (student) plays his / her part and the directors (teachers) lead them. The cameramen who watch every little situation going on with a great attention all the time are the administrators. You even have a large group of audience. They are the parents. They always stay tuned and in some schools they can even have a chance to watch you live online (seriously!)
You can consider a new term as a new journey. The students are the passengers and the driver is the teacher. Sometimes the teacher changes the roles with the students. When that time comes, students run the class through a student-centered activity in turns. Sometimes the teacher can act as the bus assistant or the stewardess helping out the students all the time. Some students are potential bus assistants. They are always ready to offer you a biscuit, a piece of chocolate or toffees and they surround you with their best hospitality:)
Unfortunately an academic year is a decade for some colleagues. They always feel like the last person in a long queue. They seem to be tired of waiting and they are usually stressful, depressed, even angry and ready to grab someone’s neck. If you are reading this blog post right now, feel relieved. You are not one of them:)
No matter how you feel at the very beginning of this new term, I hope you will enjoy each moment of it. Here are some ideas to make your journey fun for you and for your students as well. Please do not hesitate to add your ideas.
- Choose a concept for your classroom and change the concept in time. This will make you and your students enjoy the class time.
- Set your rules (maybe with the students) and explain them clearly. Play your role well and never give up:) Do not forget that students always try to flow from the smallest hole they can find to break the rules.
- Add something new to your teaching style or methods. You might search some teaching blogs and follow the ones you like. There are great practical ideas shared by precious teachers all around the world.
- Try to update yourself. Stay tuned and follow the local and international seminars and conferences. Many of them give a chance to follow the sessions online or free webinars.
- Learn about the learning styles of your students and prepare lessons involving all.
- Open some space for your new materials. Be organized to save time and energy.
- Decorate your desk at school (hope you have one) and add some colour to your materials.
- Take care of yourself to be healthier and happier.
- Be careful about the clothes you choose, your make – up and even your perfume. You are the only one on the stage and students like staring at the teacher from head to toe:)
- Take a deep breath when you need. It is free and effective.
- Keep in touch with your partners and colleagues. Working as a team makes your life easier and also powerful:)
- Join the Facebook groups about teaching or conferences. This way you will follow all the events and occasions.
- If you still do not have a Twitter account, get one now and follow the bloggers and teachers. Sharing is very easy and exciting on Twitter. You can even join chats on different teaching topics.
- Try to arrange some time for yourself to relax or do something you like during the day. We all need to refresh ourselves.
- Award yourself after a long study or a hard class. Have some chocolate with a friend:)
- Don’t get scared of giving information about yourself (but put your own limits). Students like to hear about their teachers. Try to learn as much as you can about them. This will build up a bridge between you and them.
Links you might like: (Authors listed alphabetically)
* A sample concept for your classroom by me:)
* Warmers, Fillers and 1st Week Activities on the Blog Carnival hosted by Eva Simkesyan
* An up-to-date page where you can follow the ELT conferences by Evridiki Dakos
* ELT conferences in Turkey – A great listing of events and for teachers by the Henry Brothers
* Great lesson plans shared with videos by Jamie Keddie
* A brilliant plan to use cell phones as teaching tools by Karin Tirasin
* How to teach with not “to” the test by Larry Ferlazzo
* Ideas to cope with stress to help children, teens and adults by Lori Lite
* A great activity for you to learn about your students and for your students to learn about you by Nesrin Eren
And a nice song to cheer you up:)
‘School Days’ by Chuck Berry
Congrats Merve. It is such an encouraging post at the beginning of the term. I am glad that I have such positive people around me. It was really enjoyable to read this post. Thank you for sharing your bright ideas with us. Keep blogging
)
Dear Oya,
Thank you for your nice comments. I am so pleased to make you feel that way. Keep in touch:)
Regards,
Merve OFLAZ
Hi there Merve!!G’day!
VERY good job. Your positive vibes flow !! Keep on flourishing!!!!!!!!
You made me throw my walking stick away!!! Haha:)
All the Best fm Athens
Marianne
Dear Marianne,
Thanks very much. You made my day with your lovely comment.Sending you hugs from Istanbul:)
Regards,
MerveOFLAZ
It is a pleasure to read such positive idaes. Thanks for sharing with us:)
Dear Muruvvet,
The pleasure is mine:) Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Regards,
Merve OFLAZ
It’s a real pleasure to see teachers who are candid and enthusiastic about their work. Thank you:)
Dear Mine,
Thank you very much for your comment. I am flattered. Hope to see your comments in the upcoming posts, too:))
Regards,
Merve OFLAZ
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