A Week In the Life Of an ESL Teacher

A lot of people in Taiwan, I would venture as far as to say most, don't like teaching. It is what they do because it affords them the lifestyle, the escape, the money the travel; whatever. I love teaching, I love kids. I really love my job. There is the down side, as with everything. But on a day to day basis, I love my job. I am good at my job. A few months ago I started at a new school and it is going great. I am so grateful to my housemate Lisa for introducing me to this school.

Right now I am a 'floating' kindie teacher. This means that I teach a few different classes over the week. The classes that don't have a foriegn homeroom teacher are cheaper that the ones that do. These are the classes that I teach. My boss and I were talking about what would happen next year. What level do I want to teach etc.. I definitely want a homeroom. I want "my class". I love knowing almost every child in the school, but I want to teach the same kids everyday..all day. I want to see my influence...and it is an easier job:) The kids get playground, ballroom, chinese, art etc, where I won't have to teach. Anyway, my boss told me this week that some of my students parents have said that they will pay the extra money for a homeroom class, if I am the homeroom teacher next year!! wooohooo!!! How good does that look?? As well, the chinese teacher of the class that said this is my favourite teacher. I expressed that I would like to work with her next year, and she has requested to work with me too!!! yay!! The relationship with your chinese teacher can really make or break your job atmosphere! I have heard horror stories!

I am slightly torn though...I love the babies. They hug and cuddle and tell me that I am beautiful, and that they love me. They are so adorable sometimes that it makes my heart ache. But I really like teaching the grade 1 classes in the afternoon. They are that little bit older, in real school, and a much better english level. I can tease them, joke with them, have fun, have conversations. In one class I have these twins, Roy and Leo. They crack me up. The are these stocky little nuggets, naughty and cheeky as hell, but clever and really big weaknesses of mine. Second last class of the week I was teaching them 'as...as' comparisons. As cold as ice, as hot as the sun...they were getting it! I was getting excited. I was shouting out adjectives and they were throwing back the comparisons. "Yeah, yeah, good job guys....As hungry as...?"

"Roy!" pipes up Leo from the back of the room.

The chinese teacher and I were crying we were laughing so hard! Great end to the week!