Teaching
- How many hours a week do you teach?
Teachers teach an average of six hours a day and spend two hours preparing lessons.
- How do you teach English when you don't speak Mandarin?
ILP teachers teach English in English through organized play. A former professor at BYU named Dr. Trevor McKee created the method that ILP uses. Dr. McKee recently passed away, leaving this wonderful legacy of an effective method for children everywhere to acquire a second language.
- What is teaching like?
Teaching is the most rewarding, and often the most challenging aspect of the whole experience. The teaching method has a similar learning curve to a foreign language-it is not difficult, but teachers can feel when they become "fluent" using it. The method is extremely effective, with most children becoming functionally fluent after ~500 hrs (about one year) of classes.
- What is required of the teachers?
The teachers should be prepared to work hard and contribute well to his/her group chemistry.
- How old are the kids you teach?
Kids can begin as young as age four. The kindergarten goes from 4-6, and then upper levels go from age 7-14. Children ages 4-6 are in our kindergarten program, where they become functionally fluent English speakers. They learn 3 hours per day, 5 days per week through organized play. When children are age 7, they enter our basic reading program, where they learn to read English. At age eight, they begin our Follow-Up program, which is more of a traditional classroom setting with assignments and homework. The levels in Follow-Up are designated by numbers-Level One, Level Two, etc. up to Level Six.
- What kind of things do you teach?
In Kindergarten, there are six different teaching areas (i.e. kitchen, arts/crafts, games, etc). We call the lessons "play episodes," because they more closely resemble a party than a lesson. To say you teach English is almost a lie! What you do is create an atmosphere where the children acquire English, through natural, organized play. Though the upper levels are structured more like a traditional classroom, you still engage the children in fun, hands-on activities.
- What time of day do you teach?
Teaching times vary, depending on the scheduling needs of your school. Some teaching blocks are in the morning, some in the afternoon, and still others are in the evening. Once the semester teaching begins, however, the schedule rarely changes.
- Do you teach alone?
Usually you will teach alone, but in rare cases you will team-teach. However, many teachers find it helpful to prepare together, to brainstorm and share ideas.
- How many kids are in your class?
In the kindergarten there are usually six per class, in Basic Reading 10-12, and in Follow-up a maximum of 15.
- Do you teach out of textbooks?
Textbooks are used for teaching only in our "Follow-up" levels.
- How does the method work?
The method works by creating an environment that children acquire the language without it being taught. As a teacher, you will plan "play episodes" with the children, where the children will be engrossed in a fun activity that is conducted entirely in English. We focus on 23 Basic Mobilizing Concepts (BMCs) like "I like" or "I can," which once mastered, enable the child to be "mobile" in English. It is awe-inspiring to see how quickly they learn!
- How did this program start?
This program started as a Brigham Young University (BYU) Study Abroad/Internship program in January of 1992. When BYU's Study Abroad evaluated the program, it came back with dazzling reviews; however, because its main purpose was teaching and not studying, it didn't really have a place in the Study Abroad program. When the first group of teachers learned that the program would be discontinued, they wanted to do something about it! So five friends from the first group got together with Dr. McKee in the Fall of 1992, and organized ILP as an independent, non-profit organization. It is still going strong and growing thanks to great teachers like you!
- How long does it take to plan lessons?
It's good to plan on 2 hours per day for prep time. Preparation time also includes staff meetings, training sessions and monthly progress reports. You may need a little more time than this in the beginning of the semester while you are getting used to the children, a little less at the end.
- How far in advance do you plan your lessons?
You'll plan your lessons at least a week in advance.
- Is it hard to teach?
Yes, it is often very challenging, but even more rewarding. Many teachers say that the teaching method has a similar learning curve of a foreign language. It is not difficult, but it often takes 1 - 1 1/2 months before it "clicks" and you feel "fluent" in using it effectively. The results are almost unbelievable.
Discuss this page
|
