[clivehawkins]

I teach 9 hours on a Monday, then 10.5, 8, 9 and 8.5. It's a lot and I feel knackered at the end of the day. However, I jealously guard my weekends and have always refused to do anything other than some work on the site (which I consider a hobby, therefore relaxing).

Also, I do a variety of teaching in that week, with ages ranging from primary school kids through to pensioners, individuals to large groups, general English to ESP - by breaking it up in that way it seems less tiring, and is certainly not monotonous.

The plan next year is to take on a more administrative role and teach no more than 2 or 3 hours per day. I'll believe it when I see it though!

[kisito]

Quote clivehawkins

However, I jealously guard my weekends and have always refused to do anything other than some work on the site (which I consider a hobby, therefore relaxing).!

Hi Clive, the way you view work on your site is same way I see mine. You consider it a hobby and it doesn't seem like work. It reminds of a quote by Chinese philosopher Confucius : Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. It is true that enjoying your work makes it seem light. I did some part time teacher training which was giving workshops to teachers on classroom games and activities. I had to do this on my two free days. I never thought of it as work. First of all I was well paid for it and secondly I enjoyed it.
I wonder how you guys make your teaching less monotonous. After 3 years of teaching I decided to start creating websites which I saw as a hobby that re-energized my teaching. I have been offered administrative positions within my institution but turned them down. I couldn't imagine leaving the classroom. At the same time I am always looking for ways to stay in the classroom but avoid the feeling of monotony that sometimes comes with the job.

[mesmark]

Quote kisito

You really do some amazing work on your site Mark. Our school is trying to do something on phonics and your site was first on my list of resource sites. Congratulations!

Thanks! I'm not exactly sure why I pop up so high for "phonics" but I'm not complaining.

Quote kisito

I wonder how you guys make your teaching less monotonous.

Well, like you the websites and internet stuff has really added something to the work week. It's fun watching the sites grow. Like you said when you get a good idea, you have a different audience to share that with. So, not only your students but teachers around the world can benefit. With forums like these and over at MES-English other teachers can do the same.

I think for me keeping it fresh is just that. I'm trying these days to look for new ways to do things. Of course my older games still work, but then you just get into a rut and every day feels like the next. So, I try to improve older games or adapt them. If possible I'll come up with a new game or activity. I've been on a reading writing worksheet kick these days.

It's easy to just rinse and repeat once you have a system down, even with websites. But, if you keep doing different things it stays a bit interesting. Right now I'm take a Masters (Applied Linguistics) course and that has been helpful but I'll be glad when it's over ...

[kisito]

How many hours a day is fairly good for a teacher to perform at his/her maximum? I mean if you were a director of studies somewhere and you were most concerned about quality of lessons. You can hire more teachers so that they have fairly good teaching hours at which they can perform at their best. The teachers work 5 days a week. How many hours a day will the teachers in your staff have to work to perform extremely well?