Teaching Methods Foreign Teachers at Shane English School Ningbo teach English immersion classes, the majority of which are for young learners ages 3 to 18. Since we don't speak Chinese in the classroom, teachers must be creative and effective communicators, using a variety of methodologies to illustrate ideas and empower their students to express themselves.
Our class sizes are quite small---from 10 to 12 students---enhancing the teacher's ability to give personal attention to all students. In the classroom, our teachers are supported by a trained bilingual Teaching Assistant. Resources at the school are plentiful: flashcards, realia, writing boards, blocks, toys, puppets, music, and multimedia capability in every classroom. Shane has developed an extensive line of texts, workbooks, and CDs that compliment and support our teaching methods quite well.
Professional Development Some schools put new teachers in the classroom immediately, expecting them to "teach themselves" how to teach through trial and error. It becomes quickly obvious that this approach places too much stress on the teacher, and is ultimately irresponsible on the part of management. The simple truth is that teachers cannot be successful, productive and happy without support and development from their managers and colleagues.
Every newly arrived teacher at SESC Ningbo goes through 2 weeks of paid intensive training and observation. During this process, teachers spend over 20 hours in the training room learning and workshopping methodology, and more hours observing actual classes and team teaching with our more experienced teachers. They follow up each with tasks and lesson development practice. In all, newly arrived teachers spend over 50 hours training in real teaching environments. When they enter the classroom to teach independently, new teachers are far more prepared for class, and far better equipped with teaching tools, than at the great majority of other schools.
Teachers are regularly observed by the Academic Manager, who provides direction and professional development goals, the Senior Teacher, who provides mentorship and advice, and by their peers, who provide support and share ideas. All of this input creates relaxed and successful teachers who take satisfaction from their teaching experience. Performance reviews are given regularly, and raises and promotions offered for eligible teachers entering their second year.
We want teachers to feel they can reach their teaching goals, and develop beyond the classroom into mentors, resource developers or managers. And, since Shane is a global organization, teachers have the opportunity advance their careers with the company almost anywhere in the world.