What are your expectations?

My main expectation from the Language Bridges Program is to have the learners show up on time and be eager to learn a language that will help them progress in life. I hope that they will treat me with the same respect that I plan to treat them with. I expect the first class to be slightly awkward because we will get to know each other, but I feel like within the first twenty minutes of class that we will have broken the ice, and that we will be comfortable with each other. My hope is that the learners will understand that they can have fun while teaching, and that it does not have to be awkward or strict, I want them to enjoy the class but at the same time ensure that they are learning the material. I expect that the learners will want to talk about their own experiences which they have gained throughout their lifetimes. As a teacher, I want to create a fun and supportive learning environment for the adult learners. Seeing as they are adult and may be shyer to participate; I hope to encourage participation through making it fun to be involved in the class.

                The challenges that I expect to face in the first class is mainly communication, since all the learners will have different literacy levels, I am skeptical as to how I will be able to communicate with those who are unable to speak English. Another challenge that I expect to face is to have the learners take me seriously. Since I will probably be a lot younger than them, I hope that they will understand that I am there to help, and that they will readily listen to what I have to say as opposed to brushing me off because I am much younger than them. One challenge which I feel will be hard to overcome is to have a class that is convincing enough to ensure that the learners come back for the next session until the classes are over. I feel that by making the class interesting and informative, I will have the learners feel like it was a productive use of their time. Knowing that the timings of these classes occur during their free time, I feel like the class also has to be relaxing so that the learners are not stressed for their next day of work.

                One thing that I am distinctively worried about is covering the material in the first class. Since I have no experience in teaching, I have no idea how the class will play out, or how to make sure everyone in the class understands the material I am trying to teach. My hope is that some of the students will have a fairly decent grasp of English, that way I will be able to have them help me translate just enough material so that the learners who speak very little to no English will be able to participate in the activities that are planned in the syllabus.

                In general I hope that the learners will appreciate what I am trying to do for them, and that they will show up to every class eager to learn. By the end of the class I hope that the learners have a better grasp of English and will perform better on the diagnostic test. Even if the learners do not perform better on the diagnostic test due to test anxiety, I hope that there is an improvement in their English levels, and that they will be able to at least communicate the basic things with whoever they need to speak with.