While I was browsing through this latest Caffeinated Blogsite, I came across this post entitled, “Letting Students Know Who Our Most Reliable Tutors Are.”

As an intrigued tutor, I clicked on the link. This is what I have found out.

Surprisingly, I am one of those tutors who is on the list!

Congratulate me!!!!**clap,clap,clap**

Thanks to my dear students for appreciating me as your teacher.

One simple reason I am listed there:

I respond to lesson requests within 24 hours.

If tutors confirm promptly, most often than not Cafetalk does not loose the student’s trust. I never really had a bulk of students in Cafetalk but being committed to what I have posted on my profile, I should say, earned a reward.

Soon, Cafetalk will also post tutors who offer unique lessons to students.

Good job Cafetalk! What a good way to reinforce teachers.

My most recent college days was not so long ago. I just graduated this March 2009 from Miriam College with a degree in Child Development and Education. I remember seating beside a Korean classmate (who takes also the same course) whom I befriended. We call her Jean. Forgive me if I can’t quite recall her Korean name.

When I asked Jean why did she choose to study here in the Philippines, her answer simply was quite a surprise to me since I haven’t really asked that question yet to any foreign student like her. She said she really wants to learn how to speak English and that, the Philippines is known to have lots of Filipinos who speak English well. Although we, Filipinos use our native tongue everyday, it seems like our tongues can be twisted to both sides (the Filipino and English side) and still can pronounce words properly. So, therefore, I agree with Jean’s idea about the Philippines. She came to the right place.

I was one of the eager classmates who wanted to help her reach her goals. I guess that was my very first exposure to teaching ESL to a somebody foreign. It was with Jean. = )

During our class, we really have to be strict in speaking English so that she will understand what we are talking about especially during Group Reports. Sometimes when a teacher or classmate slips her tongue to speak our native language, we repeat it one more time for Jean. That’s just how warm Pinoys (slang for Filipinos) are.

At first, it was hard to understand some words Jean utters but as time goes by, because of her being exposed to us, her classmates and teachers and everyone around, her pronunciations of English words became easier for listening ears. Her vocabulary even widened although she still missed some words but she has improved a lot since our very first encounter with her. However, family situations caused her to return and stay with her family in South Korea. Since then, we haven’t heard from her. I just hope that Jean won’t forget all that she was able to learn from and about the Philippines and us, her Filipino friends.

I was just in time to log in for my Online Class without a prepared lesson for the today. With my few minutes left before my first student comes in, I searched the web and found this. (Click for ESLGOLD) What a great help for a teacher!

From the site, I found a very nice topic for my week’s conversation topic. It wasn’t a tedious preparation thinking and looking for topic that suits my students’ needs and interests. I have everything that I need for my speaking lessons. They’ve got pictures, list of questions for the flow, articles, videos and many more.

ESLGOLD really made my day easy!

In SLP Academy, we are not given any materials for our ESL students. There are no strict rules or guidelines that we follow. Though, we, teachers, were encouraged to teach students answer in complete sentences.

Furthermore, as an ESL Teacher who is assigned to just converse with students may not always be that easy. We have to remember that each student is a unique individual with different interests and their levels vary (others may be beginners, intermediate or advanced). Some like reading texts, using picture books and many more.

Within my first three weeks, I have learned to deal with my different students’ needs and interests. Since my students’ age range from 8 to 16 years old and some are beginners while others are advanced (though advanced may only be few) and I only get to meet my student once a week for 15 mins. so it’s very important to take note of each student’s name, what has been talked about and how is the student like during conversations.

Here are some topics, I have started with the following:

• Week1 (Day 1) Getting to know you. Knowing the student’s name, age, interests and hobbies.
• Week2 (Day 2) What day it is? What’s the weather like today? Days of the Week.
• Week 3(Day 3) Given choices, talk about a place the student wants to go to.

For some intermediate and advanced students, I used the story that was shared to me by one of my students. It’s an Aesop’s Fable entitled, “The Golden Ax and The Silver Ax”. For very young children or for a few beginners who really doesn’t want to talk, I show them a picture book found on Genki English Site.

Of course, being an ESL conversationalist is not limited to the topics I have listed above, one can go a long way from what was started. 15-mins is a lot of time and there are lots of things that a teacher and a student can talk and share about. What else can you share? Can you share them with us? : )

I don’t know if this is a blessing or what. May be it is for some but with an added student for my Online Tutorials it would mean the later time I would get the chance to be with my kids. That is 20 minutes less for my kids. My hubby agreed with this added student even though I don’t really care how much it may add to my earnings.

I was even told that if I want some more extra classes I can always get some. One added student may just be fine but to have some more..oh no!!! That’s really a Mom’s dilemma when work cuts in the way. Sometimes it really is not about money all the time.

Though, I am still grateful for this because I am just at home and I can always hear them and if anything bad happens, I just need to open my door and lo and behold! I am with them. I am even not in a corporate or media world where work seems not to end or the demand for time is too much. Well, I guess I will just be happy about it. =)