PPP with my ELLs

hey readers what's shakin?

[first of all PPP is a type of format to teach an english class and ELLs are English Language Learners.]

so to clarify (because i think the following points were misunderstood):

1. i LOVE chile

2. i came to chile in hopes of teaching english. when i arrived i did not have a teaching job. when i arrived i had a teacher training program that is the ultra fast equivalent of a teachers education program (BED) at a university. It only certifies me to teach English as a foreign language and not in Canada or other English speaking countries. During this month long class, as part of my course, I had to teach 6 one hour classes to students. i was not being paid for this...i was being graded. 

3. i was hired by the same language institute that i took my training certification program at. I work there now and just taught my first official english class. i say official...because i was getting paid haha.

so like i said, i just taught my first class. i am so happy with how it went too. of course, like anything, it could have been better, i could have been more prepared but i think it went very well. it is my first class that is set in stone. let me explain:

my language institute hires teachers to teach english to business men and women. then they ask your availability. THEN they call you when a company calls my institute interested in having their employees learn english. if you have your cell phone on you at all times...you get classes. if you don't have your phone with you - you're out of luck. 

therefore: cell phone in your pocket= money in your pocket

on friday i was walking around town with my friends jamie and patrick when my phone rang. it was my boss asking me if i wanted to take a class with a private student for saturday. i came to chile to teach...not to have a blast and stuff (even though that just naturally comes with the job)...so I didn't care that I would be teaching for 3 hours, on a Saturday morning....the morning after I had planned to have a big bbq at my apartment with my roommate. I had to say yes or the class would be given to someone else. i walked to my language institute (which is about a 7 minute walk from my apartment) and picked up my teacher guide and audio cds for the class. i started looking over the unit i was supposed to teach when i got home and decided i would do my best and make the most of the short notice. 

my student is a successful business woman and really fun. she is an intermediate student who has had many english classes before. we were able to have conversations in my class which was great. intermediate students to me are the easiest because you can ask them more complex questions and they aren't afraid to ask you more detailed questions about the language. although the thought of sitting through let alone TEACHING a 3 hour class is a little terrifying...we had a good time and the 3 hours actually went by pretty quickly. i taught musical moods and we discussed the importance music can have in people lives and the role that it plays. we listened to different types of music and then i also taught her a couple grammar points. its really fun incorporating fun ideas into more bland subjects like present perfect continuous tenses and noun clauses (which i what i taught). 

im starting to feel more confident about my teaching skills and really comfortable with this job. im looking forward to getting more calls about new students and expanding my classes. i know this will happen...but i'll give it time. i'll be sure to fill you in on any exciting teaching stories i may have...im expecting to have at least a few to report. 

thanks for reading

love and miss!

besos (kisses)

-jacquie