Evolution Is Beautiful

I thought these pictures were cool. Hope you enjoy them, too.

NO TEACHING JOB for me this Summer!!!

If anyone needed a reality check about the seriousness of the California budget crisis, this week’s cancellation of Summer Session II was it. While none of us can predict the final outcome of the budget resolution, we all need to do what we can to become warriors for Community Colleges, and advocates for our students.

I have lost my two Summer Session classes because all Summer classes across Los Angeles Community Colleges have been cancelled. Many of you have asked what will happen next. The District Budget Committee (DBC) will meet 3 times in June and the Board of Trustees will vote on more cuts at its June 24, 2009 meeting.

Some topics under consideration:

1. cut winter session
2. cut more classes in fall and spring
3. change health benefits to save costs
4. seek other cost savings measures throughout the district
5. continue the classified hiring freeze (already in place at Valley College)
6, make salary adjustments (all would need to be negotiated):
· impose a furlough (5-15 days)
· freeze salaries
· reduce salaries

These are the toughest times we have ever experienced, and there will be at least a full year of very hard decisions to make.

IF YOU STILL HAVE A TEACHING JOB, CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY!

My Favorite ESL Books.

One of the challanges I face when teaching non-credit ESL for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), is that I teach a "multi-level" class. That means, I have students who are beginners and students who are advanced.

The question you will face at some point as an ESL (non-credit) teacher is "What is a good book to embrace all types of ESL levels?" Well, here are two fantastic books which, do just that.

Center Stage targets all kinds of learning styles through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. No student is left behind in the second language process because each lesson is designed to allow students to produce as much output as they can. Students are encouraged to think critically, to learn how to work in groups and individually, and most importantly, to bring their own life experiences into each lesson to make the language learning process meaningful. On the other hand, the book does a great job teaching content and not just grammar. For example, students learn about world history, USA history, science, civics, and art.



My second favorite ESL book is Picture This! Learning English Through Pictures. Each lesson starts with a picture story. Students listen to the story first. Then, they answer questions by looking at pictures and by allowing their imaginations to flow. For example, students look at a picture and answer questions such as "What do you see in the picture?" "What do you think is going to happen next?" "How do you think the person in the picture feels?" Students are encouraged to think critically and to concentrate in meaning rather than "writing error-free papers." Then, grammar is explored and finally, each lesson has a listening (minimal pairs) exercise and a grammar quizz. I use this book every summer and students just love it!

I Wish I Had Answered That Question Differently!

Summer is almost here and maybe you are thinking about getting a summer teaching job. For some, this may be your first ESL job interview, and you may not have any ESL teaching experience. Therefore, here are some questions I have been asked in previous job interviews and other questions my co-workers have shared with me. I hope they help you feel more confident when going for an interview...Because I don't want you to say what I end up saying a few times: "I wish I had answered that questions differently!!!"

1. How would you handle a problematic student?
2. What would you do if a student shows up to your classroom, in the middle of the semester, and he wants to be in the class?
3. What do you enjoy the most and the least about teaching ESL?
4. Do you think is okay to talk to ESL students in their native language?
5. Do you see yourself teaching ESL 5 years from now?
6. What are your main goals when designing your teaching lessons?
7. Describe your teaching style in three words.
8. How would you incorporate technology in the classroom?
9. Briefly talk about your teaching philosophy.
10. What language experiences (or language background) do you have that you think help you to be sensitive towards teaching ESL?

If you have other questions you've been asked in previous job interviews, or questions you think are important to think about, please share them!