Most people have a terrible job in college, something to pay the bills or for booze money. My crappy job was to make sandwiches. It was one of those jobs that you fantasize about quiting every day and come home smelling like a disgusting mix of vegetables and bread. My fingers would smell like onions for days.
The kindergarten is quickly becoming worse. I’m starting to miss those sandwiches.
To start the week, I was handed part of the alphabet on a poster and the rest, E-W, individually. All printed and cut somewhere in the building. I was then informed that we’re learning the alphabet and phonics this week.
What?!
Yep, you read that right – A-Z and all the sounds. In a week, or so.
To kids that still have trouble answering the question “What’s your name?”. I’m sure this is going to go swimmingly. (Granted, two of the kids are older and have previous English experience and can say some things.)
Unfortunately, I didn’t really get much of a chance to protest when handed the ‘cards’ as the Chinese teacher that handed them to me got called away.
As this was all sprung on me last minute, I didn’t have time to research how to teach phonics, well, really, think about researching it and then realize that I don’t have time. Instead, I tried to remember my previous experiences teaching the alphabet and phonics before (Thank you online teaching!) and what I know of how my training center teaches it.
From what I know, they all start by teaching the alphabet and how to write the letters. Then, the students learn the letter sounds and other phonics skills. Usually, as a prelude to the kids reading independently, beginning with short words. I’ve never seen the alphabet and phonics taught together to English learners. I don’t remember how I learned, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was everything together – letter name, sound, and writing.
I resolved myself to do what they wanted and teach the whole alphabet and all the sounds to the students and see how they do and what they might already know.
What’s the worst that could happen? The students learn nothing and I get told I’m a bad teacher again? That’s basically my every day here already.
I did as instructed and went through the whole alphabet and their sounds. The kids repeated after me. We sang the ABC song. They learned nothing, as I expected.
Then, I was told that I needed to go over the words on the cards. I start with ‘A apple’ instead of ‘angel’ as the cards said, and continued to deviate as necessary. Other notable standouts were Donut, Ice cream, Unicorn, and Quarter. Words that there is no chance that the kids know and a couple that are the wrong sounds for teaching phonics. (Vowels are taught using the short sound as in apple, egg, igloo, octopus, up not the long sound angel, ice, owl, unicorn.)
Oh, and I was told that I have to find props and a song for tomorrow to go with my continuing to teach the alphabet. I don’t have access to a printer or anyone that works there’s WeChat contact info so I couldn’t have them print something I’m not sure I’d have the time to find. Also, I’m sure they already have any song I’d find.
While, technically, I have the afternoon off, I would like to spend most of that time relaxing and buying things that are necessary for life, like food, not finding random things online that I really shouldn’t need to find (what school doesn’t already have the alphabet somewhere?). So they want me to do unnecessary work, in addition to unpaid.
Maybe I’ll remember to bring in my letter flashcards. Nice simple cards with the upper and lowercase versions of the letters that I made a year or two ago when I started teaching online.
After I was finally free for the day, I found a very large margarita, sat outside and enjoyed the lovely day, and forgot all about the crappy morning. And, listened to nextdoor’s tiny kitten scream for food or attention or something.
It was a very nice end to a horrible day.
The next day, I tried to protest the method and timing of them having me teach phonics. I was told that that’s the way they teach it and it works. Basically, sit down, shut up, and do what we tell you to. And here I thought they wanted my opinion and we would work together to teach the kids English.
Well, only 12 more days at the kindergarten. I’ll just have to smile and bear it. I’ve had bad jobs for years, I can make it, right?
My TEFL Adventure 