I moved to Taiwan to be...an EDUTAINER?

It seems that is how it is going to be!

I get an email saying that feedback from the students for our first two classes was generally good. However, the dean talked to the 7th graders, and he said -- and I quote "The students would like an easier, more lively, more fun environment for learning." Hmmm...don't we all!

Really?? So at first I got mad. Then I got defensive... So I had two classes and they weren't anything fun to write home about (well for the kids at least).

But...I swear I am a fun teacher!

In my defensive phase, these are the excuses I came up with:
1) Umm...I have 55 kids in one classroom.
2) They barely speak English and I don't speak any Chinese.
3) The school MAKES me teach from a certain book.
4) I can't be creative with only 50 minutes when 20 minutes of that is lost in translation!
and the list just goes on...

I let this sit in my mind for about 6 hours, and then I realized I have a choice. I can stay defensive and not use this feedback constructively OR I can go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate my teaching in the ESL classroom.

And so...here I am at 11 pm figuring out my next move (or attempting to). I did not move my life half way across the globe to stand in front of a class and have them think I was boring. I did not come here to take the easy way out. I came here to grow as both a person and an educator. I came here to challenge myself...so that is what I am going to do.

I did some research and read a lot about having to be an EDUTAINER when teaching in Asia.
Like my students, many kids already have an English class where they learn proper grammar and punctuation. Then, they also have an ESL class...which is usually taught by a native speaker.

At first I think: They get the English already...so why am I here?

I am here to add depth to that knowledge. You can imagine the difference of learning just the mechanics of the language versus learning the language through speaking, writing, listening, and reading activities. Cultural exchange...or something.

EDUTAINMENT. It is 50% education and 50% entertainment. Apparently, this is what I have to do. So, I will be teaching, singing, acting out, playing games...and use trial and error to see what works best for my students. Out of my comfort zone? Yes...but isn't that what I came here for?

I am currently searching the web and compiling all games that can be used at the end of class into a printout. Then I will have this printed book as a resource both to use and to share. If anyone has anything to share, please do!! I would be grateful!

I try and read blogs of other teacher's experiences when teaching in Asia. It helps me to process my thoughts and doubts, and be confident in other things I do. It motivates me to know that I am not the only one to make these mistakes and that I can learn from others - I just can't give up. I read on another teacher's blog the following:

You can't just fly to Asia and expect to be the best teacher right away. There will be a learning curve but the school that hires you will understand and they will do their best to help you improve and learn.

My school has done their job by providing me with feedback that I can use constructively. Now...I have to do my part, and that is to challenge myself to make my classes more engaging and fun. I have to be creative while still hitting the curriculum (which is something I have always struggled with at home...)

A good teacher is prepared for every class, and knows the material themselves. I am not interested in being a good teacher. I want to be great!

And so...my journey continues.