CENTRAM

This year I’m working at the Center of American English (CENTRAM). CENTRAM was founded in 2008 by Sem Beashel, and currently there are 8 levels: Beginner 1 & 2, Intermediate Low 1 & 2, Intermediate High 1 & 2, Advanced 1 & 2. Classes are held from 4-6pm Monday to Friday for adult students.

CENTRAM has four 3-month sessions a year. When I first arrived, they were in the middle of the summer session (which ended at the end of September). Therefore I was planning on arriving, meeting teachers, learning curriculum, and possibly helping out in classes before beginning to teach the next session.

The first time I arrived at CENTRAM I was excited to meet the teachers and students. Sem picked me up at my house and we went to school. I arrived to find out that one of the teachers would be late. I was therefore thrown into a beginner class and told to introduce myself, ask their names and begin teaching. I was a little in shock and felt a bit like a substitute teacher, but with no lesson plans, no preparations and no prior knowledge. Also I wanted to speak English with them, however their English as a beginner class was very limited. It was difficult to understand how they were used to being instructed and what the structure of the class was.

This same situation happened a number of times in the coming weeks, and for the first few times, I felt a little lost, confused and not too helpful. I tried to teach them using their textbook, but I was not used to their teachers’ style. Little by little I was able to learn about the teacher’s style and combine it with my own. I taught some English songs, I made the class more interactive, and allowed students to participate orally as much as possible. I felt like I was able to teach English in a manner that the students were learning, asking questions and participating. It was a positive time.

Starting o Monday, October 6, 2014, I will begin teaching my own class (level Intermediate High 1 & 2). I am looking forward to planning, preparing, and teaching my own class. I hope to help students feel more comfortable speaking, listening, reading and writing in English.