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The
very thing that attracted me to a degree in modern Languages
very nearly made me jack the whole thing in and work in
the local supermarket for the rest of my life! A year
ago, when I first applied to the Central Bureau for a
placement as an English Language Assistant in Germany,
the enormity of uprooting myself and being fully immersed
in a foreign country for a whole year hadn't hit me. However,
about a month before I was due to leave my cosy, safe
life in England, the reality of the situation suddenly
jumped up and punched me square in the face. I became
convinced I'd hate it there, no one would like me because
I'm foreign, I'd be so lonely and miserable, it would
be really cold and rain a lot, etc, etc.
Luckily I pushed these thoughts to the back of my mind,
and am currently enjoying my third month working in a
Gymnasium (Grammar School) on the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein
in northern Germany. Despite the rapid decline in the
weather since my arrival (unfortunately the fear that
it would be cold and rainy proved all too true!), everything
else is looking brighter by the day.
I originally decided to spend my third year of university
- a compulsory 'Year Abroad' for Modern Languages students
in most British universities - as a Language Assistant
because I have it in the back of my mind that I would
like to pursue a career in teaching. There are, however,
many Assistants who have no desire to enter the teaching
profession, and simply see this as a fantastic experience,
which just so happens to look very impressive on their
CV!
The other choices offered to me when I was considering
my Year Abroad were to either study here, or get a 'proper'
job (ie: in an office). Based on the following, you may
well agree that I made a good choice...
The thing that surpasses every other advantage of being
an Assistant is that my timetable comprises 12 lessons
a week, each of which is 45 minutes long, and I have every
Friday off! Compare this to a friend of mine who is working
in an office from 8 am to 5 pm every day, and actually
earning less than I am. Although my wage is 'only' about
450 pounds a month, this translates to about 10 pounds
an hour, and I can charge the same for any extra tuition
I do. This serves to fatten my wallet somewhat and feed
my travelling habit. So far I have been to Denmark a couple
of times, Berlin, Hamburg, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Essen,
Dijon and Paris - and that was only the first 2 months!
If you like kids and teenagers, this is definitely a fabulous
way to spend a year - you get the fun part of teaching
without any boring responsibilities. My job description
stipulates that I do not do any marking, give out grades
or punishments, I must always be accompanied by a teacher
in the classroom, or I take out small groups (of up to
10) by myself. Some of my fellow assistants have found
that they have to take whole classes, or cover lessons
when teachers are absent, but so far I have been lucky
in this respect. I was allowed to sit and observe classes
for the first couple of weeks, which enabled me to ease
my way in gently. This appears to be normal procedure
- most assistants will not have any teaching experience
as such.
The content of my lessons depends very much on the level
of the students. One of the hardest things I have been
asked to do is to correct the teachers when they make
mistakes. However, I did feel compelled to correct
a teacher immediately when they innocently inquired whether
the word 'teaspoon' had a 'hymen' in the middle! So far
I have done everything from songs, to texts, to games
and role-plays - all activities are designed to improve
the students' speaking and listening abilities and to
raise their awareness of British culture and life-style
(hence my landmark lesson on Hear'Say!).
The level of enthusiasm among kids varies greatly - the
less they know, the more enthusiastic they are. The younger
ones still find it new and exciting, they feel they are
making rapid progress, and they nearly fall off their
chairs trying to raise their hands the highest so I will
pick them to answer a question / perform a role-play.
By the age of about 14, the novelty has worn off somewhat,
though, and they have the knack of making me feel as if
they would rather I was extracting their teeth one by
one, with no anaesthetic, than trying to make them speak
English. Their language level is surprisingly good, however,
which makes it possible to make the work as varied and
interesting as possible for them.
The oldest students in my school are 19 and 20 - the same
age as me (some have repeated a year at school, and a
couple of the girls have spent a year in America). I found
this a little unnerving at first, but I have found that
the best way to cope is to treat them as equals, speak
to them on a level, but maintain a professional air (in
the classroom at least) to keep that division between
student and teacher.
I find the job thoroughly rewarding, and if you fit the
criteria set by the Central Bureau (see below), I would
thoroughly recommend giving it a go. Living in Germany
is an experience and a half - although it's not a million
miles from Britain, or warm, or exotic, the culture is
in many ways different to our own. I've found it fascinating
to note even the smallest peculiarities, such as the fact
that they eat a big meal at lunch-time and not in the
evening (it's still a shock to me if I go to a cafe for
a snack at lunch-time and am presented with a full-blown
meal!). Nevertheless, it is also noteworthy that an increasing
amount of British and American culture is seeping into
German everyday life and language - random English words
adorn billboards and TV screens the length and breadth
of the country. My favourites are those words that we
don't actually use in Britain: 'Handy' for mobile phone;
and the completely fabricated word 'Wellness', which the
Germans appear to be obsessed with!
Overall, the best way to make the most of an experience
like this is to throw yourself into it, don't be shy,
accept the new culture (and terrible pop-music!) warts
and all, and don't feel a failure if you get homesick
now and then - just don't forget to pack your Marmite
and Cadbury's chocolate!
Further
Information
* Candidates for an Assistantship
should be between 20 and 30 years old.
* They have to have completed at least 2 years of a degree
/ diploma course, usually in the language of the country
for which they are applying - the minimum language requirement
is A level or equivalent.
* Candidates must be students at or graduates of a British
University, and English must be their first language.
* If you are at university, studying Modern Languages,
you can get relevant information from your Year Abroad
Coordinator. Other people can deal directly with the Central
Bureau
http://www.britishcouncil.org.uk/cbiet/assistants/index.htm
* You have to cover your own travel costs and find
your own accommodation.
* You will go on an induction course near Cologne before
you start your Assistantship, which is extremely useful,
and great fun!
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