Froglet Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 I have an interview on Wednesday. Being on holiday I've had more time than usual to prepare and consequently am even more stressed than I would be normally and am tying myself in knots over the teaching task (usually the only bit I feel comfortable with!) I have just received data on the class I will be working with and there are a significant number of children with EAL in the group. I was expecting this but have no experience of it at all. I had planned a speaking activity with some writing with a view to developing 'adventurous' vocabulary. The head has made it clear that she doesn't expect candidates to have experience of working with EAL but to be able to use appropriate strategies. Given that I don't know the children at all would it be appropriate to simplify/extend the activity as I would with any group of children? For example we're going to be describing monsters - some children I would prompt with questions like 'What colour/size/shape is it?' Others I would ask to write a sentence with a simile. (These are Y2 children) I'm thinking of making play dough monsters - cos it's as relaxing for me as for the children! Should I change my plan completely? Should I go for a maths activity instead - have no idea what I'd do! Any advice will be gratefully received - even if it's stop moaning and get over it! I know many of you have lots of experience in this area but please don't judge me too harshly - am feeling pretty fragile at the moment! Quote
Fredbear Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 Ah Froglet, we are not here to judge but support, but unfortunately i'm not in a school environment to offer any advice. I just want to wish you good luck and a virtual hug.Fx Quote
Guest Posted April 21, 2014 Posted April 21, 2014 I am a nqt and have no experience of EAL so unable to offer you any useful advice im sure someone will be along soon with some valuable information. Just wanted to wish you good luck! I remember the nervous feeling well. Dont be too hard on yourself! Good luck let us know how you get on! Have my fingers crosses for you! X Quote
Froglet Posted April 22, 2014 Author Posted April 22, 2014 Thank you both. Unless I have a wonderful idea I am going to go with what I've planned so far. I will either get it or not and even if I completely mess up the teaching task I know that my references and the books I'm taking with me should support the fact that I'm a good teacher. I will be embarrassed but that will pass eventually. Did that sound relatively calm? I'm fairly sure that will pass too! ;-) 1 Quote
sunnyday Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 Ah my little froggy friend - as if we would 'judge you' - never, ever........ I can't offer any advice - except believe in yourself :1b Good luck - I will keep everything crossed for you - that's going to be a bit uncomfortable :blink: so make certain sure to let us know how it goes so that I can 'uncross' myself 2 Quote
Froglet Posted April 22, 2014 Author Posted April 22, 2014 Thank you Sunnyday! Don't worry about crossing things - I've tried it and it makes life unbelievably difficult! I'll know you're with me in spirit! Besides you just made me smile as you reminded me of the contraceptive advice an old flatmate's granny once gave her: "Just cross your legs and say N-O!" I won't actually be bothered if I don't get it - I'm happy where I am, this is just one of those rare opportunities to move onwards and upwards. Last week I was more worried about getting it! Mostly I just want it over so I can enjoy what's left of the holiday, it's been constantly at the back of my mind. Mind you, the cleaning and sorting I've done as displacement activities has worked wonders for the state of my house! 1 Quote
sunnyday Posted April 22, 2014 Posted April 22, 2014 Thank you Sunnyday! Don't worry about crossing things - I've tried it and it makes life unbelievably difficult! I'll know you're with me in spirit! Besides you just made me smile as you reminded me of the contraceptive advice an old flatmate's granny once gave her: "Just cross your legs and say N-O!" I won't actually be bothered if I don't get it - I'm happy where I am, this is just one of those rare opportunities to move onwards and upwards. Last week I was more worried about getting it! Mostly I just want it over so I can enjoy what's left of the holiday, it's been constantly at the back of my mind. Mind you, the cleaning and sorting I've done as displacement activities has worked wonders for the state of my house! See.......that's where I went wrong - nobody gave me that advice! :blink: Goodness - forgot that you are still on holiday - I was back in today - can't believe how much the children can forget in just two weeks - thinking manners, routines etc.......never mind I'll soon lick them back into shape!!! Quote
Susan Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 Hi froglet, sorry I missed this. I would have said go with your planned activity. The playdough monsters sound great. Maybe if your activity is speaking though you could make a list of the adjectives etc rather than writing sentences. The extension/ follow up activity could then be using the adjectives in sentences or to write stories? Good luck, let us know how you got on. Quote
Froglet Posted April 23, 2014 Author Posted April 23, 2014 Thanks Susan - that's actually exactly what I did! Got through it, just waiting to hear now... 1 Quote
Froglet Posted April 23, 2014 Author Posted April 23, 2014 I didn't get it. Thank you for all your encouragement over the last few days - means a lot. Quote
Fredbear Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 I have always thought, things that "do not happen", "do not happen", for a reason, so maybe this was not the right path for you on this occasion. Best wishes Fx 2 Quote
Guest Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 I agree with Fredbear! Everything happens for a reason! I'm sure a better opportunity will be just around the corner. Keep your chin up x Quote
HappyMaz Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 Sorry to hear that you didn't get it - did you at least get some good feedback that you can make use of? I also agree with Fredbear - and I believe that what is for you won't pass you by. The perfect job is out there somewhere, waiting. 2 Quote
Froglet Posted April 23, 2014 Author Posted April 23, 2014 I completely agree with you all and that has always been my take on things. I was upset when the head called but it's never nice to feel not wanted. It has made me take the leap out of my comfort zone into applying for other jobs which I really needed to do. The job was for a KS1 co-ordinator post and it was good to have had that experience of applying for a leadership role. In the course of applying I've been reminded just how lovely my FSF friends are. I've also had some lovely, very supportive chats with my head teacher - he gave me a couple of hours of his holiday time to talk through interviews (partly why I feel bad as I feel like I let him down and wasted his time). I've even discovered someone I can add to that very precious category of real life friends so lots of good has come out of it. Feedback said that they felt I pitched my lesson too low for their year twos and that they didn't feel I'd go in as a confident leader who'd take the initiative with things. The teaching feedback has knocked me - after all that's what I'm meant to be good at. The head did say "if there's anything we can help with please ask". Do you think that was just one of those things to say or do you think I really can ask? I'd like to go back to her to clarify my understanding of the feedback and also to ask if it's possible to get a copy of the questions the asked so I can reflect on them properly - I can remember what I said but not what it was in response to! Quote
Susan Posted April 23, 2014 Posted April 23, 2014 Dont be knocked by the teaching feedback, if you a re teaching YrR its hard to really appreciate what children 2 years on might be able to do and especially children you dont know. You were also expecting an EAL cohort---your activity could have been ideal for that. Remember also that sometimes feedback is hard to give constructively and that you had just a small moment in time to make an impression. Be proud that your application got you an interview and that you went and performed to the best of your ability. That someone else performed better, in their opinion, does not negate your own skills. If you feel that asking for more feedback etc would help you then ask, they will only say no if the offer was an empty one! Feel lucky that you have a supportive HT. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next. 1 Quote
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