Friday, June 19, 2009ESL Teacher Blog: Does Your Employer Care About Your Students Feedback?
- Margaret Wente’s article in The Globe and Mail was as usual thought-provoking. She talked about the quality of teaching being superior to the other factors in education (such as class size and school funding). Indeed I thought, throughout my school years I was in a class that neared 40 students (not to mention the 45 minute bus ride to school each way) and yet each and every parent wanted their child to be with that particular teacher. She was just known for delivering good results.
Many ESL teachers work for unionized institutions where the volume of their work is by and large determined by their seniority. Senior teachers are entitled to more hours regardless of their performance. But does seniority automatically suggest a more knowledgeable and caring teacher? So why are there closing classes and declining attendance?
Measuring results in an ESL class isn’t easy. The adult students may not show immediate progress right away. Yet, collecting and analyzing their feedback is simple and attainable. Why wouldn’t this data be considered as a pre-condition for the next assignment a teacher is given? After all, there is no equality of opportunity if our differences are not recognized and valued. POSTED BY Olga Galperin AT 12:26 AM
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