What Teachers Learn When Teaching English - A post from Nikki Choong, teacher at English Steps.
I have travelled many countries in my time but never my own; until this summer.
This summer I was working with adult students who came from all over the world to learn English in the UK at English Steps.
In the mornings there were English classes and then after lunch we would all go out on trips to places such as York, Knaresborough, Leeds crown court and many more. All sorted out by the main man Harry!
I have travelled many countries in my time but never my own; until this summer.
This summer I was working with adult students who came from all over the world to learn English in the UK at English Steps.
In the mornings there were English classes and then after lunch we would all go out on trips to places such as York, Knaresborough, Leeds crown court and many more. All sorted out by the main man Harry!
Surprisingly, the British weather wasn’t too bad so not many trips were called off, but even hanging out in the house playing board games and chatting was fun. We were like a giant family and mealtimes were spent eating together around a big table. We never ate out because we would all chip in to buy the food and we shared the tasks of cleaning up.
Although at times there were up to 15 people living together there was never any trouble and we never ran into any problems.
Although at times there were up to 15 people living together there was never any trouble and we never ran into any problems.
The students that I met there were amazing people. I got on well with all of them and they have been just as much of a teacher to me as I have been to them! By asking around to see what people thought of England and if it was what they were expecting I learnt a lot about my own culture as well as theirs. I came across a lot of differences between our languages and culture.
Things that I thought of as being ‘normal’ weren't so normal to other people - like having several shops in each town dedicated to selling cards for special occasions, or putting vinegar on chips!
I also found out that German doesn’t have the continuous tense, and an Italian and a Spaniard can spend up to 2 weeks planning their bromance trip to Edinburgh!
Being a tourist with them in my own country has been such an amazing experience.
Thank you all so much! Keep on learning English and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future (hopefully next year!)
Things that I thought of as being ‘normal’ weren't so normal to other people - like having several shops in each town dedicated to selling cards for special occasions, or putting vinegar on chips!
I also found out that German doesn’t have the continuous tense, and an Italian and a Spaniard can spend up to 2 weeks planning their bromance trip to Edinburgh!
Being a tourist with them in my own country has been such an amazing experience.
Thank you all so much! Keep on learning English and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future (hopefully next year!)