Some Post-TESOL Certification Course Thoughts

I just finished my TESOL course on Friday and I really enjoyed taking the class. It may be that I just like learning about education, but I found it quite fun and interesting. Chris Mares and Faye Olsen of the Intensive English Institute at UMaine Orono taught the course. Both have traveled a lot and taught both overseas and here in the US. Chris had taught for years in Japan, so that gave some extra info for me to work from ^_^ Over all, it was very well done. They provided us with a lot of basic info that we would be able to do further research through, rather than trying to stuff our heads full with everything in a single week. They taught using the ideas that they were teaching about, so that everyone could grasp the theory, rather than just learn vocab without a working knowledge of the skills. The allowed time for observation and are happy to have anyone come and visit the IEI to do more observation, help out, or do an elective.

On the final day of the course, we got to do an activity or very short lesson, so I chose to use TPR and do a vocab lesson for archery. We had three of the IEI students attend, which allowed us to see the response of some actual ELL students. My activity went pretty well and Chris asked if I might be interested in doing an actual elective for the IEI for doing archery. I have to figure out details, but I think it would be phenomenal to do that ^_^ I had a lot of fun in classes I got to observe and I can't wait to do more.

Also, I know in my own searches for TESL/TEFL/TESOL certification courses, there are a lot of questions about what is valuable and helpful and what is not. During my course, Chris talked a bit about English language teaching around the world. TESOL is the international group that sort of governs English language teaching (not actually governs, but is important and I can't come up with a better word at the moment). TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and TESOL as an organization has a lot of more localized branches around the world. For those of us interested in teaching in Japan, the Japanese branch is JALT. If you live up in my area, Northeastern US, I know that I am in the area of NNETESOL Northern New England TESOL. So, they are a well-respected group within English language teaching and finding your local area may help you better figure out what you want out of your TESOL/TESL/TEFL course.

Other updates... Well, I went to GNEW and had a great time ^_^ My father-in-law got a cool award and a there was a bunch of other great news/awards at the event too. This past weekend I went to my parents' house to go to a wedding shower for my cousin and his fiancee. I had also gone home for SMAUG (Smoking Meats And Ubiquitous Gaming), a gaming event hosted by my father during the summer. I had a great time at both of these events and can't wait for my cousin's wedding and my dad's next gaming event ^_^ Next weekend I leave for Pennsic. Today (and the rest of the week), I will be making kosode to wear. Hopefully I will have pictures of that to post within a couple days, since I know a few people wanted to see it, since it is Japan related. Also, I have a going away party to attend for Staci, my friend leaving for JET in a couple weeks!!!

General Update

I am still contemplating my current feelings towards JET. I moved into my first actual apartment last weekend (I think I may never finish all the dishes @_@). And I've started looking into my loans and looking into job postings, which has made me a little more indecisive. I wish something would push me more one way or the other, but I really want to think hard about this because JET was my dream for a long time and I now need to decide if it is still that same dream.

That being said, I have my TESL course next week ^_^ I'm pretty excited about it. School loans have made me question where I am spending that money, but it's something I think will be worthwhile in the long run.

Also, GNEW and Pennsic are coming up, so I am completely stoked about some SCA stuff ^_^