I've just gotten home from relief teaching at Mendaki!
It was quite an experience because I've never ever done any sort of teaching before.
I got a call yesterday from Mendaki asking me whether I'd like to relief a class today. It was a Primary 5 class. And I'd be teaching them English and Maths. It was so sudden that I found myself hesitating to accept the request. But after some persuasion from my mother, which the woman on the phone heard, I decided to accept it. She said that this was a trial for me to see if I really wanna be a Mendaki tutor.
There were 12 students in my class, but only 10 turned up. The children were adorable I tell you. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, because I always find children irritating...HAHA! They kept quiet when we entered the class. They even stood up, bowed and greeted me! I thought this practice didn't exist anymore.
Anyway, the minute they sat down, they started chitchatting. But it couldn't be helped. Poly students themselves talk when the lecturer is teaching. So you can't expect an 11 year old to just sit still and keep quiet. The first lesson was English. So, knowing that they would soon become restless, I distributed a few worksheets which I've printed out to them. They were still talking, but they did their work. And I surprised myself by actually remembering some of their names just after marking their attendance once.
After about 40 min, I went through the answers with them and explained to them their mistakes and why this answer is correct. And then, since there was still time, I played hangman with them. That was really fun. The losing team had to do 10 squats. You know, the one where you have to hold your ears and squat. Muahahahaha! But they were game. =D
Then came break time. I went to the toilet and then joined the other tutors in the canteen. Man...they were one rowdy bunch! They welcomed me very readily. I didn't really join in on their conversation because they were already in the midst of it. But they were really funny people. I was seriously laughing just sitting there listening to them.
Maths lesson came after the break. I collected the students from the canteen and headed back to the classroom. I gave them a couple of worksheets to do as well. They had their own books, but I didn't want to be caught unprepared, so I got my own worksheets ready. Actually, the truth is that I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do some of their problem sums! HAHA... Because, I remembered when I was in primary school, I used to hate doing problem sums because I couldn't do the long ones. So, I thought, the standard would be higher now, but it was still roughly the same. I guess I shouldn't have bothered printing out so many worksheets. :S
Anyway, just like in English class, I went through the answers with them and did the workings for those who got the question wrong. Then, I went around to check their work and explained more thoroughly to those who couldn't do the questions.
The class was supposed to end at 12.15pm. But I forgot! I thought it ended at 12.30pm. So, I released them 12.25pm. But they didn't complain. Good kids! They even salam(ed) me!!
Now I really don't mind teaching. And I mean, seriously teaching, through NIE and not just at Mendaki.
Btw, I've added my tagboard back. Because I found that I kinda inconvenienced some people by not having it up. So hope you guys tag ya?
This is me
BORN: 7 July 1987
AGE: Do the math
LIKES: Cats...like duh...my blog url??? And SUPERNATURAL!!!!
DISLIKES: Hypocrites
These are just the basic things about me...if u wanna know more, just ask me.
