Diary of an ESL Teacher: Part 1a

It is still snowing despite the fact that spring has arrived. Gail walks fast towards her next appointment. She has a private student downtown, one of the three positions she decided to take. Yes, in Montreal an ESL teacher has to work two or three jobs in order to make a decent living. Is that because English is a second language here and not being bilingual one needs to juggle around to simply have a spot in the sun? Go figure, but the truth of the matter is that a newcomer to any place is always going to struggle with having to adapt to a new life. And that has not being different for Gail. In one of her jobs she has a class of adults who are interested in acquiring the language so that they can have better opportunities at work. The other class is a group of kids, 9-10, on Saturdays, but it feels more like Sunday School where the bible is a grammar book.
What is it that makes an ESL teacher keep going? Money sucks, the hours are long, and on top of it all, teaching is not a prestigious profession such as being a doctor. Might it be love for suffering? A masochist sensation that drives the passion one may have for being in pain only because. Well, the answer Gail gives is, "I do what I love. Teaching is my call in life". Indeed, it has to be a vocation, to pull teeth, mind you without the same income a dentist has, but still from time to time having to make those who would rather be somewhere else get the least out of a fifty minute class. You ESL teacher who relates to this feeling, have your say: Vent!

Vent, ESL professionals, vent!

All you burned out ESL teachers, trying to make ends meet, what is it that keeps you going? What's the passion? Where is it? Everyday I see in many of my pupils' faces an eagerness to get whatever they think will be granted to them if, and only if they learn English. Oh, if only they could communicate well up to the standards of what is called a fluent speaker of this golden key, door opener language. Oh, if only... But, there is the impossibility that overcomes our dreams. It is so real that makes learning an unreachable place, a never-land, utopia! So, what can we ESL professionals do to be the bridge that links the halves? How to help learners reach the other shore? Be enlightened and finally try out their wings without the fear of making mistakes. Are we too hard on correcting them, too purist? Here is the way I see it: Have fun! Learning arises from an environment where there is harmony between what one knows plus what one wants to know. Very Vygotskian? This Zone of Proximal Development, as virtual as it may be is where a teacher should rest. We are the bridge: power to empower. Once teaching becomes learning, so much so that we see no difference, then and only then, mission is accomplished.

What's a wiki?

So, what is a wiki? Have you heard of Wikipedia? There you go, that's a sample of a wiki. A wiki is similar to a blog (a book log), but it differs in the sense that the pages can be edited by all members who have a permission to do so. Wikis are a great tool to make learning more sociable. Learning becomes more interactive in the sense that learners can discuss either about themes and skills or about their learning experience, difficulties and discoveries at any time and from anywhere they are. If you want to give it a try, please join My Wiki at http://adrilima.wikispaces.com/space/join. You can send comments ask questions, give suggestions, make observations, or simply share your thoughts.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Heartfelt Thoughts to those in Japan

My heart is with all Japanese people as well as those hurt by the disastrous news. Let time heal it all. Like in this awesome video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIqDxc3vvRk&feature=pyv&ad=7741570173&kw=tokyo, we can all overcome fall.

Learn ESL Online

ESL-Montreal is an E-Learning Center that was created to offer you the opportunity to finally master the English language. We provide English as a Second Language support to public and private institutions as well as individuals who need to use an additional language at work, or for any other personal reasons. Our students are taught online, in a virtual environment, either in small groups or on a one-on-one basis. Wherever you are if you can have access to a computer, a teacher will reach you. Our system enables you to finally learn English skills that will take you wherever you want to be. In other words, a real English instructor will assist you and customize the course to accommodate your needs. In addition you can meet people from all over the world, as our students come from different countries, cultures and language backgrounds. English is your tool to communicate with them all. So, get connected and speak your mind! The world is waiting for you to show up. 

Best,

A. L.

Director of Studies

http://eslmontreal.tripod.com/

Diary of an ESL Teacher: Part 1

Day one: Montreal, Quebec, Canada. February 21st,  2011.  Lovely sunny day in Montreal. Gail an ESL teacher arrives full of dreams and a desire for the new. In her two pieces of luggage, she brought, besides the obvious: clothes and shoes, a few books, CDs, and a dream: To finally seattle something within her. This feeling of restlessness. A sensation only those who have felt it all life long can relate to. In her diary, Gail writes her first research question: What is it like to be an ESL instructor in a Francophone city? She walks from the bus station up the hill to an economic hotel at the corner of Rue Sherbrooke and St. Hubert. There, more stairs to climb, and up she goes, as it must be when one dies and goes to heaven, carrying nothing but fear of the unknown, heavy enough for a light being.
Gail is a middle-height light brunette somewhat pleasant to the eye type of girl. A petite chouette, as they may say. Not too old, nor too young, in her mid-forties, half way through her life. She checks in, half in French and more in English and takes her stuff up to her room, more stairs. There, as the door bangs behind her, she feels all the weight of her life coming down her shoulders. She places her bags on the floor, takes off her boots, walks to the toilet and stares at herself in the mirror. There, the wrinkles of time rest gentle on her face, as if saying, what else are you looking for in life? What else do you want from me? Questions time asks us from season to season, every year on our birthdays.
It is Monday! Time to look for the basic things one needs when moving freshly into a new town. Gail calls the super of the studio she had pre-arranged, for a quick check out on the places he has available. Serge, a middle-aged, Franco-Canadian from Quebec, a divorce lonely living in Montreal after he broke up with his ex-wife, seems to be a very welcoming person, more than what his job description implies. Walking down the hill, with a wide smile on his face, he says in English : "Bonjour, how are you? Serge, nice to meet you." There, this was Gail's first impression of Montreal. A welcoming French speaking village where Anglophones are seen as more "educated" and perhaps where, being an ESL teacher, one can easily fit in. Is that so? TO BE CONTINUED... 

LINGUA FRANCA: ESL in Montreal

LINGUA FRANCA: ESL in Montreal