Session 2: Glimpses

Teaching Journal Week 2: Summary

Implementation of BAA

o  teachers need to have good knowledge of the requirements, and enough confidence in themselves.

o  Questions in my mind: How to apply it in lessons? How to satisfy DSEJ’s requirements? …

o  … draft a proposal to make up a BAA committee to study BAA in detail, and discuss how to implement …

o  … insufficient passionate teachers in the school; work done on principal’s commands only

o  teachers don’t have enough time to understand the ideas

o  Can BAA really change what is going on in everyday classrooms?

o  Are the curriculum goals really achievable?

o  We need to believe that all the extra work we are doing now, is for a better future.

o  Changes won’t happen if the ones who are executing the task do not believe in it.

o  I’m knowing more and more about BA, and my pressure has greatly relieved.

o  … worthwhile ….to bring this city closer to the world.

o  … maybe I’m too stressed.

o  … I think the Senior one (BAA) is easier to understand.

o  … most schools in Macau set up their curriculum based on public exams …… the ability to apply the knowledge in real life is often ignored.

o  What are the consequences of the school is found that not all BAA items are implemented?

o  there will be a lot of work when BAA is put into effect

o  need the cooperation and understanding of colleagues in the English team.

o  (need to) discuss and share ideas (teaching method) between colleagues in order to improve and reinforce the (implementation) of BAA.

On language knowledge, Learning, and Skills acquisition

n   Ss can get high marks in tests and exams, but lack real communication skill; teachers should guide them to turn the knowledge into practical skills.

n   Ss need to learn, but not to be trained at school

n   hope my Ss will be more cooperative

Devising BAA-oriented Plans and Classroom Learning

n   We should get Ss to learn, rather than following the plan only.

n   interest and curiosity are key elements to success of all learning

n   final outcome of language teaching is to alter Ss’ learning attitude (interest; motivation; etc.)

n   the issue at stake is to inspire and encourage the teachers of the current trend in teaching, so that they in turn will inspire and their students

n   we need reflections and evaluations in the long run.

Session 1: Glimpses

Improving Education in Macao: OUR White Paper

USE OF TEACHERS’ TIME

- Give enough/more time for teachers to plan lessons (3)

- Reduce non-teaching workload (3)

PEDAGOGICAL MATTERS

- Think of more grading methods

- curriculum to be designed for communication rather than for exams

- promote English-speaking environment

TERMS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

- Increase salary

- standard teachers’ salaries

- Retirement benefits and pension

- Reduce school days

- fewer periods (3)

- each school day should end earlier (e.g., 8:00-3:30)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

- More opportunities for studying abroad for teaching (2)

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT/POLICY

- More support from school

- less frequent class observations/ … every other year

- ‘zero class repetition’ should not be implemented (2)

- principals to join leadership workshops and learn appreciation skills

TEACHING RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES

- Develop student-based teaching materials

- DSEJ to run more English camps for students

Teaching Journal Week 1: Summary

How I find meaning in my work

-      I can share my lesson plans with my colleagues and they find them useful;

-      “Many English teachers find meaning in their work”

-       All we are hoping is that our studnets have a bright and wonderful future

-       Enjoying my work a lot

-       “I really like my work. I am quite happy to be a teacher because I have got a lot from my work (satisfaction; respect ….)

-       “It is all about one word: students. We teachers put students first. Everything done is all for the students. Simple, right. If we put our focus on salary, time, or self matters, we will not succeed.”

Attending PD events/this study programme

- motivated to join courses offered by DSEJ or Bell Centre.

-       Happy to see so many enthusiastic teachers

-       Worth giving up my Saturdays

-       I can speak out ..

-       I can refresh my mind

-       Like activity-based courses

-       Enjoy the training course

-       We have interactions

-       likes the chance to share with each other

-       glad to meet many fellow teachers

-       uplifting to hear some positive ideas from them

-       “a rather rare opportunity to be out of work setting to discuss work matters in a casual manner”

-       (feeling) positive about the course

-       hope pressure will be relieved after the study programme;

Worrying about …

- worried about how to guide the English team to implement BAA

- new S4, feel helpless and overwhelmed;

Personal aspirations

- will try my best

- Hope we can achieve perfect balance

-       Want to be able to do something to change the current situation

-       Hope to have sufficient time to do that (activity-based teaching)

-       hopeful of the BAA policy

-       “Whenever I have time, … think and think …about teaching”

Diversity vs Conformity

-       values diversity; “SS are individuals”, should be assessed by their different abilities instead of a fixed criterion.

-       Agree with Ken Robinson

Welcome

Welcome to the teaching blog of the Study Programme (Feb - Mar., 2017), organised by DSEJ, in support of the implementation of the BAA Requirements (English: Senior Secondary).