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  • Wonder Women: Inspiring Female Educators

    Wonder Women: Inspiring Female Educators

    In 2009 I moved to Nanaimo, B.C. to attend Vancouver Island University. A book worm since I could read and a general lover of the written/spoken word, I enthusiastically joined as many writing and English courses as I could fit into my fall semester. On my first day I sat in the front row of my “Introduction to Fiction Writing” class. A smiling blonde woman sat at the front with a laptop and a pile of outlines on her desk. As she introduced us to the material and addressed what we could expect that semester, I kept repeating her name over and over again in my head. “Susan Juby…Susan Juby. Where have I heard that name before?” As she discussed term paper deadlines, I Googled her name—and couldn’t believe what I saw. Juby was the author of the preteen Canadian hit novel Alice, I Think and its sequels. This was a series that myself and nearly every girl I had gone to school with had read in either middle or high school. It eventually became a CBC television series, and implanted in my mind an early understanding of the importance of Canadian authors. Having this woman who—like me—was BC grown and able to make a living as a writer, filled me with such admiration and ambition. I knew right then that if I worked hard enough and got good enough, I could be published.

    Since then I have met many amazing and inspiring female educators, as I’m sure you have as well. Here are some famous female educators teaching in Canada:

    Adele Diamond

    Known to be one of the pioneers in the field of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Diamond has been extremely influential in research focused on the executive functions of prefrontal cortex and interrelated brain. Much of her study focuses on children. She is the Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. (www.ranker.com)

    June Larkin

    Larkin attended university late, balancing her undergrad with a primary-school teaching job. Now she is a lecturer in Women and Gender Studies and Equity Studies as well as vice-principal of New College at the University of Toronto. Her main focus is pushing her students to community outreach; combining class with the field. (www.macleans.ca)

    Mary-Lou Donnelly

    Donnelly is the president of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, and served as teacher for thirty years in Halifax. Previous to being appointed as president of the CTF, Donnelly was president of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union. A trailblazer, she was a founding member of Nova Scotia’s Coalition Against Workplace Violence, She has since received the Canadian Progress Club Women of Excellence award. (www.financialpost.com)

  • How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    Have you ever been sitting in class wondering exactly how your teacher became your teacher?

    Well, most public school teachers obtain a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) from a university. Some specialize in one subject matter, such as Art, Health, Science, Drama, Math, Music, Social Studies, Physical Education and Guidance and Counseling. Some train in a specific grade level, like early-childhood education, elementary school (including kindergarten) and middle or high school. Most teachers experience a wide range of subject matter (usually referred to as “teachable” subjects.)

    Teachers also need to obtain a teaching certificate from the province they are teaching in to certify they are qualified to do so.

    The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, for example, offers an education program that requires students to already have a Bachelor’s degree in order to get accepted. The education program lasts 11 months and consists of taking classes and completing a work study program – meaning that, in order to complete the program, all students need to work in a classroom as a student teacher.

    The minimum passing letter grade at UNB is a C. All teachers who graduate from UNB need to have a C or higher average, and a GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least 2.7.

    Aside from education and on the job training, it is also necessary for teachers to possess certain qualities in order to be successful. Teachers should be sensitive to the needs of students. They have to be trustworthy and patient (as all students learn at their own pace). They need to be organized and good at time management. They need to be on-time every day, creative, motivational and good communicators.

    So, the next time you are sitting in class wondering how your teacher is qualified to teach you, remember they have studied and worked for many years to get the skills and training needed to do so.

  • Teaching English as a Career

    Teaching English as a Career

    The English language has a lot of short, easy words. Just think of words like “run” — a short, three-letter word that is easy to spell and easy to learn. But are they really that easy? Think of how many meanings words like “run” have. You can run a race or get a home run in baseball. A newspaper has a run, and you can run out of time. How can non-English speakers ever learn such a complicated language? That’s where English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers can help.

    Teaching the English language can be a good career option, especially for anyone who enjoys travel. Over 400 million people around the world use English as their first language, which is the main language that they are most comfortable using. However, over 700 million people use English as a second or third language, and the number is growing all the time.

    English is spoken all over the world and is the standard language used in many businesses, in technical and scientific studies, and for transportation on airplanes and ships. You might even hear a German-speaking airline pilot talking to a German-speaking airport employee, not in German, but in English. Most communication by computers and even traditional mail is in English, and use of the English language is still growing.

    As the need for English skills is increasing, the need for English teachers is growing as well. This kind of teaching goes by several different names which often reflect the needs of the students. Teaching English as a Second Language is often about teaching immigrants how to speak with their neighbours and co-workers. Practical vocabulary and grammar are important parts of each lesson.

    In other countries, English as a Foreign Language or English as an Additional Language (EAL) are often the terms people use. Without the chance to use English every day at home or at work, the students often have to work harder at getting a chance to practice their skills. The kind of help the students need is normally the focus of the classes. Lessons could focus on conversational skills or grammar or both.

    What does it take to work in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language)? In North America and many other parts of the world, a Bachelor of Education with an emphasis on teaching language to non-English speakers is probably the best option. In some cases, a TESOL certificate or local training might be enough, especially if the school where you want to work has its own training program.

    Teaching English can be a good option if you love variety and adventure. You can teach in Japan, China, Mexico, or right in your own city. You can work with young children, university students, or retired people. You can teach in a classroom or tutor people at home. Wherever you go, teaching the English language can be a rewarding career for anyone.

  • Teaching English Abroad

    Teaching English Abroad

    Do you love adventure? Do you love teaching? Do you long to strike out on your own and see the world? And do you want to be paid while doing it? If so, teaching English abroad may be for you!

    What will I need?
    At the very least you will need a four year Bachelors Degree (BA). Your degree can be in anything from art history to zoology, but obviously a degree in English, education, or linguistics will provide you an edge.

    With just a BA you will have a handful of options available to you including, but not limited to, teaching in Japan, South Korea, China, and parts of Eastern Europe and South America. With additional courses and training, more options in more countries with better income, perks and stability become available. What is better is that many of these courses offer help finding positions, with some even guaranteeing to help you find one – or your money back!

    Aside from that you will need citizenship from an English-speaking country, a passport valid for at least one year, a clean bill of health, and no criminal background.

    Is teaching overseas for me?
    Teaching isn’t for everyone and teaching English in a foreign country is doubly so. Unless you have a Master of Arts in English Language Teaching, chances are you will not be prepared for what awaits you. However, you shouldn’t despair as no employer will be expecting an amazing performance from day one.

    The three most important qualities a teacher can possess are: strong communication skills, adaptability and patience. Communication skills may seem like a given, but you must keep in mind that your students, co-workers and boss will not speak English as their first language (and some not at all). This means that you can’t always depend on others simply understanding your words; sometimes it will be necessary to simplify your expressions or approach what you are trying to communicate from another direction. Sometimes it may require the use of body language or even drawing abilities!

    Adaptability is also crucial as you must adjust everything about what you expect. In most cases the people you will encounter overseas will not only speak a different language then yourself, they will also have a different culture, set of ethics, and expectations for you. You must be able to “go with the flow” and learn to understand and appreciate their differences, not judge them as being wrong or worse than what you might be used to.

    Finally, patience is important because, as mentioned above, you will be working with individuals who may speak little to no English. This means a lot of repeating yourself and a lot of asking them to repeat themselves, too. Remember that they are learningEnglish, meaning they will need to first translate what you say into their language, then translate what they need to say back into English. Take your time and never take out your frustration on your students; remember – they are there to learn and you are there to teach!

    Final Words
    It goes without saying that an aptitude for teaching is crucial! You can volunteer at any elementary school to see if teaching is for you and, if it is, the experience will look very good to prospective employers. Good luck and bon voyage!

  • Career Ideas for Those with English Majors

    Career Ideas for Those with English Majors

    You did just the right thing by going ahead and following your dreams of studying English. Your dreams are just going to get rosier! Gone are the days when a degree in English only managed a few sympathetic nods from job recruiters and while those with majors in physics or business got all of the interviews and job offers.

    Times have changed and so has the job market, which is really a reflection of the changed business scenario. Increased industrialization and greater inter-connectedness have led to English becoming the main language used in many businesses around the world. This has increased demand for English writers, teachers and PR specialists who have a command over the language. In addition, communication specialists who can read, write, and speak the language are highly sought after. Those with English majors suddenly find themselves with more than one job offer and almost countless career avenues stretched out in front of them.

    If you too intend to pursue your love of English Literature and the language, then here are some exciting job openings that await you:

    – Writer or a Journalist: A degree in English is the strongest foundation on which you can build a writing career. You can dabble in fiction writing or apply for a content or copywriting job where you can wield your pen (nowadays, the mouse) to create write-ups for the Web or print media. Your degree can also be a passport into an exciting world of journalism where you can use your knowledge of human nature gained from all those hours spent in studying great literature to pen insightful stories.

    – Scriptwriter for Electronic Media: If you have a flair for the dramatics, then along with your English degree you can break into the scintillating world of television, movies or the radio. This is a career ideally suited to those who have a knack of storytelling and would love nothing better than to delve into the nitty-gritties of the plot or get under the skin of a character and pen lines that will be immortalized on the screen or the air waves.

    – Editor: Individuals who hold a degree in English are cherished as editors in the worlds of publishing and commerce. Their mastery over the written word makes them ideal candidates to proofread and edit other people’s work to make these readable, easily comprehensible and enjoyable.

    – Teacher: An individual with a Bachelor’s degree in English can also take up a teaching job in an elementary or a secondary school. If you really love your area of study and want to impart your knowledge and transmit the love of the subject to children, then no job could be better suited to your aptitude.

    – Business Communication Professional: Your degree will be held in high regard in the worlds of high finance and business where there is an increasing demand for professionals who can communicate effectively and research/interpret information correctly to come up with succinct reports.

    An English degree can indeed help you bag a lucrative job where you can have a great time doing something you love while you also earn a steady and decent paycheque.