Here are Some Advice and Tips for the New World Language Teacher
Are you looking for some advice and tips for the new world language teacher? Did you just get hired or are new to the profession? There is really nothing more exciting than getting that new job. Now that you have been hired you are probably feeling a bit ecstatic and possibly overwhelmed. You might be wondering where to start, what to do, and how to accomplish everything you want to. Let’s break it down for you in meaningful steps.
Learning the Curriculum
The first place to start is to get yourself a copy of the curriculum or the lesson plans you will be using. Most new hires are done in the springtime and that leaves you the summer to become familiar with the material. Some schools will use textbooks while others use thematic units. Know what your new school has for curriculum. Take time to look through it and talk to another teacher about pacing. If you are a solo teacher of your subject, find help with this through social media sites like Creative ASL Teaching on Facebook.
If you are a new teacher or a new hire to a startup program, then begin to gather information on what curriculum you are wanting to use. Know your state and national standards. My recommendation would be thematic, authentic units. However, as a new teacher, this might be overwhelming. Using an already established curriculum like Signing Naturally would be your best bet. Or find various units here already made to save you time.
Set Up a Year-Long Plan
The idea of this seems very daunting. But trust me, it isn’t as bad as it sounds. Taking the time now to complete small tasks like this will save you a lot of stress during the school year. Take the number of units you will be teaching and divide them in half. This will be what you are teaching for each of your semesters/terms. Consider how many days you have in one term and minus the days you will need for finals. In my case, I use 3 days for finals. Two days prior to finals week for oral proficiency exams and one day for a skills test on the day of the final. I subtract 3 days from my total semester/trimester days.
Get yourself a plan book or use a digital version. I use both a digital plan book and a paper book for quick referencing. Take the number of days you have to complete the units (minus finals) and divide that by the number of units you plan to teach. This will let you know how many days you have to teach per unit. Now mark in pencil where the end of each unit should fall on the calendar in your plan book. Be aware of holidays and other school activities. It is very easy to not pace well during the first years of teaching (some people still struggle with this). Just be aware of the days you have to teach each unit so you don’t run out of time.
The more major plans, activities, and small details can be put in as the year rolls on. Right now you just want a big picture so you don’t run out of time.
Getting the Classroom Organized
As soon as you can get your key and get into your classroom, do it! Getting the room set up takes time and lots of it. Don’t wait for the few hours of in-service days to do this. Take a good look at the space you have and make a list of ideas you are wanting to create. Draw out a sketch of what you want on bulletin boards, where you will show student work and how you will organize the room.
You can get bulletin board materials here.
Take inventory of supplies you have in the room and make a list of what you will need. Learn the name of the person who will be doing the ordering and stocking of these items. Become their friend and do nice things for them. You want them on your side (the same goes for the custodian).
Decorating
For me, this is the best part of the process. You will spend a lot of time in this space so make sure the room is comfortable for you and your students. Check Pinterest for good ideas if you don’t already have a vision. Ask your principal if there is money for you to purchase materials. Go in with a specific dollar amount and why you need these materials (tell how they will help the students, not that they will make your room look cute).
Welcoming the Students
The first day is the best day to use the target language. Start day one with a great lesson on the ABCs or conversational vocabulary of the first unit you will be teaching. Start the lesson using the target language at normal speed with no visuals to see how much students can understand. Chances are not much. Then slow it down and work with visuals like images, mime, and slide decks. Then see how much students understood. Hopefully, most of it. Let them know how you will use the target language to teach them and they can trust you to guide them through the learning process.
Start with this easy-to-follow step-by-step unit on fingerspelling!
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Don’t think you have to make and create every activity on your own. Use your colleagues and borrow ideas and activities from them. Don’t spend hours doing work that students can help you with and complete in 5 minutes. Go back to those social media networks and ask there for ideas. If you can buy a $5 coffee from Starbucks, then you can buy a quick premade lesson on Teachers Pay Teachers.
You might want to take a look at what to do to prepare for the school year.
Remember not to overdo it. Teacher burnout is real. Focus on one or two things the first year and then build on that each year. Stay healthy. The first years of teaching are very stressful. Get sleep. Drink water. Take a walk 3 – 4 times a week (or whatever exercise you choose…for me it’s yoga). Enjoy the year and remember each year gets better and better.
Get Social
If you have questions, let’s talk in the Creative ASL Teaching Facebook group. Join the conversation in our Facebook group.
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