Week 2 ( Describing My Class )

Dear all:

I find my job one that offers a unique experience where on the one hand I work with teachers to develop their knowledge, and skills indifferent teaching methodology, focusing on the "Communicative Approach", Task-based Approach" , "Problem –solving " ,"Critical Thinking ", "Teaching young learners " and "Project –based learning in teaching English. On the other hand, I have the chance to observe students in the teaching learning situation during my guidance and support visits to the teachers whom I train. Therefore, I find it convenient to describe both situations, i.e. the teachers' and the students' courses.

Students Classes:

UNRWA schools, in the area I work at, run classes of about 40-45 students in each class. The classes are segregated and so we have girls' schools run by female staff and boys' schools run by male staff.

The setting of the classes is usually three rows of about 6 -7 desks in sequence. A chalkboard is available in each class. English language teachers have access to
recorders for their use available all the time. However, other technology tools are not always available as they are shared by all the school teachers. These tools are OHP, DVD or CD players ,data shows, 20 computers mainly in the computer lab. Internet services are only available at the computer labs.

At home few students have access to internet

Teachers' Classes:

The training provided to the teachers is an "in-service training". Hence, it is better called training "sessions" rather than "course". Male and female teachers who are newly appointed receive the training according to their needs and with focus on the above mentioned methodology required for the implementation of the curricula in Jordan.
The training is conducted in a rooms equipped with PC, datashow ,and OHP, TV, VCR. One central room, which is not always available, has an intelligent board.There is no internet connection at the rooms. When the internet is needed for the training , we make use of the computer labs available at schools if they are free at a certain date.
It is nit easy to have access to the lab as the schools operate on double shift basis where one building serves two separate schools.
My sessions include a number of teachers ranging between 15-25 teachers. Normally two theoretical training sessions are provided, followed by a demo activity of the approach, then a rather long process of follow up of the training.

As English is taught from Ist Grade to 10th grade in our schools, teachers face the differences in age in addition to the differences in learning styles.
The teachers implement the syllabus of the country by giving 40 minutes classes of between 25-26 periods each week.

Teachers, very often , have access to PCs and internet at home .

Having to cope with all the challenges mentioned above , any new opportunity would be a relief for all.

Yours
Hanan