I came to Brazil in May of 2012 to complete research for my master's degree in Education. I had created an independent study course focused on second language acquisition and wanted to work in a foreign country so that I could both teach English and learn a foreign language. This would offer the perspective of language acquisition as a teacher and student.
I completed my research in October of 2012 and received my master's degree shortly thereafter. I decided to stay in Brazil because I was enjoying my time here and because I have dual citizenship so I was, and am, able to live and work here legally. Also, at the time I was hired at a language school as both teacher and pedagogical coordinator, which were both tremendous opportunities for me to learn and apply teaching methodologies and to learn about educational leadership.
I have been here in Brazil for four years now and have had the following experiences:
1) teacher: at a language school where there is no set methodology other than following one of Cambridge's English language course books. Very little homework was given and there was no system in place to assign, correct, or log homework grades;
2) private teacher: I design my own courses and provide my own materials, which I find on the internet or create myself. I go to students' homes or them come to mine and I conduct a one hour class with a single student one or two times a week, depending on how often they prefer to study;
3) teacher: at a language school with a rigid methodology and rather thorough educational management system in place. Teachers have to use Sponte, an educational management software. Teachers must also attend several meetings, fill out monthly student performance summary forms as well as correct homework and log grades on a daily basis.
Finally, I have been working on the side as a translator with a variety of clients from Brazil and abroad.
In this blog, I will write about what I have learned, what I have tried in the classroom and private classes, what has worked and what has not worked.
I completed my research in October of 2012 and received my master's degree shortly thereafter. I decided to stay in Brazil because I was enjoying my time here and because I have dual citizenship so I was, and am, able to live and work here legally. Also, at the time I was hired at a language school as both teacher and pedagogical coordinator, which were both tremendous opportunities for me to learn and apply teaching methodologies and to learn about educational leadership.
I have been here in Brazil for four years now and have had the following experiences:
1) teacher: at a language school where there is no set methodology other than following one of Cambridge's English language course books. Very little homework was given and there was no system in place to assign, correct, or log homework grades;
2) private teacher: I design my own courses and provide my own materials, which I find on the internet or create myself. I go to students' homes or them come to mine and I conduct a one hour class with a single student one or two times a week, depending on how often they prefer to study;
3) teacher: at a language school with a rigid methodology and rather thorough educational management system in place. Teachers have to use Sponte, an educational management software. Teachers must also attend several meetings, fill out monthly student performance summary forms as well as correct homework and log grades on a daily basis.
Finally, I have been working on the side as a translator with a variety of clients from Brazil and abroad.
In this blog, I will write about what I have learned, what I have tried in the classroom and private classes, what has worked and what has not worked.
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