Meeting with my work-supervisor

3rd April.

It was the first meeting with my work supervisor. ^^
When I told her bit about co-op class she already had some ideas about it as one of her colleages had a co-op student few years ago at TOPS classes.
And I asked her whether it is possible to finish my 150 working hours before the semester 2 starts. (I was sure that my 2nd semester will be very very busy so i wanted to finish my work experience in the 1st semester if it is possible - i was just think...^^;;)

She said there seems like no problem at all and she would have that in mind when she works out for my working timetable. I was very appreciated with her assistance.

AND!!!! actually i was thinking to be a helper at ESL, TOPS , classes but Elizabeth recommended me to have my own classes-!!! Huh??....!! My own classes????!!!!!!!!

At first time i was in a huge surprise....>.< as i do not have much experience in teaching especially in a classroom context....
However, she said it would be much better for me to have my own classes, as extra afternoon classes for TOPS students, which I can learn much more than just assisting teachers.
Even though i was not sure i can manage them very well but I felt very appreciated to her because she was believing and fully support ingme ^^*

She was giving me a big opportunity which is very valuable!! - there's no way to say no~~~~ *^^*

Few days later, (19. April) I received my teaching time-table from Elizabeth
: "16 hours a week altogether so you will have most covered by the end of the semester"

* Monday 2-3 Speaking/discussion/pronunciation

* Tuesday 9-10 General English with level 2 - WT712
Tuesday 10-11 Double Tutoring 1A - WT702 (no preparation)
Tuesday 11- 12 Double Tutoring 1B - WT501 (no preparation)
Tuesday 12-1 Double Tutoring with level 3 - WT707 (no preparation)
Tuesday 2-3 Writing

* Wednesday 11-12 Double Tutoring level 2 - WT712 (no preparation)
Wednesday 12-1 Double Tutoring 1A - WT702 (no preparation)
Wednesday 1-2 Double Tutoring 1A - WT702 (no preparation)
Wednesday 2-3 Reading

Finally, everythings are arranged and my teaching will start from 27. April-
It is the Big Day~~~!!!! *^^*
It is the actual time that I can use the skills that I learned and prove my ability in ESL teaching.
Wow.....!
I got many things to prepare!
I hope students would like me...^^;;; and want to enjoy the time together!!

Let's go~~~~~~~~~~ Bring it on~~~~~~~~~!!!

Finding a placement

Last year I did CLTA paper at school and suddenly remembered the last class that I had-

It was the class that talked about future options such as finding a ESOL job and further study courses etc. As I was looking for a voluntary ESL teaching job I sent an email to one of my lectures from CLTA, Heather Richards.
I explained her about my situation and asked to help me. Fortunately she said she will see what she can find~~ Yeah~~~~ ^^ What a big relief~~~!! ( 24. March)

Few days later, I got an email back from her and she said one of TOPS Classes teacher , Elizabeth Brugh,would like to have me !!!
Wow!~~ How lucky I am~~!! *^^*
Because I've met her before when I had my classroom practice paper last year.
She was a colleage of my mentor who share the office together.
It was very happy to hear that she will be my work supervisor ! Yeah~~ not a total stranger...>.< which will make me less nervous....^^* (30. March)

I sent an email to Elizabeth straight away to arrange the meeting and I had a sleepless night...Half nervous and half exciting!!! ^^;;

20 March - Keys to Job Search

Today we talked about general job search skills such as what kind of jobs are available for coop, where can find them and how to find them.
I think it was very useful session.
Actually, I’ m feeling quite stressful to look for a job because I haven’t got my placement yet.
I got some ideas where I could work and where I want to work so I had look through the internet and newspapers but haven’t got ‘the one’.
I know it is not late up till now but I hope I can start working as soon as possible.

There are some important points that I've learn from today’s class.

1) I should have goals when I search for a job.
2) I should understand the skills that I have.
3) I should understand the employment market. (understanding the industry that I aiming to)
4) I should use different kinds of method to find a job – networking, contacting employers directly, going career fairs instead of sticking to internet and newspapers etc.
5) I should have well planned strategy to find appropriate job for me.

After I did the ‘Job search readiness evaluation’ I was pretty shocked with myself because I found that I’m not that ready to look for a job or even get one than I expected.
I’ve found I don’t know much about employers as well as the ways to promote myself to employers which I think very important when search for a job.

I think I’ve got lots of things to work on from now……Let’s start again properly!!

“The job is not going to just come to me!

I have to work actively to find perfect one!”

13. Mar. 2009

Our coop portfolio will be made as an e-portfolio this year using 'myportfolio (mahara) site'
Hmm...I've worked with e-portfolio in irefelct class last year...
but....i almost forgot how to manage it..!
Wow.....I'm worried... I hope I can do this well again like I did well for ireflect-
I'm sure it will get better as time goes by??!!? ^^;;

6. Mar : The first COOP class-

This is my last year at uni and I must manage well with this coop paper !
I 've heard about this paper from my firends and most of them said it was hard!
but they also said it was quite helpful and good experience for them although there were lots of stress and work pressure.

Anyway- my first impression for the class??!? hmm....
It made me more worried, nervous and already stressful- !! >.<

Our class had a chance to listen from Frank ,a previous student from the last year's coop who introduced and gave some advice for our class, and he said it was hard to find "a job" which didn't surprise me at all - That was exactly what I was expecting..... T.T

' How can i find a job?...... where? ...and how?......how......!?!? '

However! after I heard about Frank's coop experience my thoughts bit changed.
It gave me some confience that i might cope with well with coop even though there are definite difficulties at the beginning, especially finding an appropriate job for me, and I got sure that it would be a great opportunity to explore the real world before I really get into after my graduation. Also when I heard I can get a support from my academic supervisor it made me much relieved ^^;;

I really want to have a job that related with ESOL/ ESL teaching because it's the field that i'm interested in as well as it's my major (minor in TESOL). I hope it will be not that hard to find a job in that area....really...!!!!!!!! Wish me a luck~~

And one more thing! I have to keep reminding myself for the 'time management' - one of the essential elements to survive in this paper!