It's Not About the Cat!

Categories: life-in-general

Tags: w*rk

Date: 12 September 2009 12:47:36

I just thought I'd do a quick post that is not about Pumpkin. Yes, there are other concerns in my life.

I may be getting some more work. I should be shouting "Huzzah!" but I'm not totally sure how I feel about it. Let me explain:

For 18 years in England I was a competent Primary school teacher. I taught most ages up to 10 year olds, and I was good at my job. I liked the teaching but not the piles upon piles of paperwork that went with it. I left teaching in 2000 and became a Local Government drone in the Education Department of the LEA. I quite enjoyed my work, but when we decided to move here to France I took a CELTA certificate (Cambridge certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults). Since living here I've taught English in various places, but am currently working for a language school in Clermont Ferrand, working mostly with people from the Michelin plants. Unfortunately with the economic downturn, Michelin have cut down on teaching hours, and there's not a lot of other work. I'm doing an average of 7 or 8 hours a week. I also teach a 19 year old and her 14 year old brother, as well as 3 primary school children. I love my work : not too much paperwork, some preparation, no marking. Something I'm good at. But not enough of it.

So now the local Collège (11 - 15 year olds) have phoned me up, desperate because they don't have a teacher for the oldest class. Would I do it? 3 hours a week, guaranteed, in the town where I live, at double the rate I'm getting paid at CF (with 2 hour's travel + associated costs each day). I should be biting their hands off, but I'm still prevaricating...Especially because of the age of the students. I've never taught this age. In fact in the UK I positively went out of my way to avoid this age. All my experience is with the younger children , I feel more able to control them and to teach them successfully.

As well as that, I'm aware that 15 year olds (in fact, all adolescents, as far as I understand it!) can be little sh*ts. They seize on a teacher's weakness and play on it. My main weakness being my lack of French. I can get by, but I'm not sure I am fluent enough in French to control a class of unruly teenagers. I have suggested to the Director that if they can swop around, and I teach the younger end of the market, and the remaining teacher teaches the older students then I'd be happy to do it. But I don't know if they can do that.  I think I'll accept, but I am rather hesitant.

Of course, the LEA may refuse me permission anyway . There's a possibility that they may not accept/recognise my qualifications. (because, after all, I only did 4 years study, have 18 years teaching experience and a B grade CELTA. And am a native English speaker, unlike the former teacher who was teaching them incorrect English...)(according to my "Spy" - 14 y-o Bertrand. Altho he maybe may not be trusted!!)

So: watch this space.

And now I'm off to trawl the supermarkets to see if I can find Felix pouches, Rabbit flavour. These appear to be the preferred food of Pumpkin, so off I go! Anything to keep her eating. (There, I couldn't quite manage to post without mentioning her, could I?!)