I support the strike!

Israel's Irgun Morim, Teachers' Union, is striking against the proposed "reforms." Unfortunately, the other teachers' union, the Histadrut Morim signed its approval.

Read my reasons here.

The school year is getting closer

I just got a phone call from the teacher who has the impossible job of putting together the schedule. I told her that I just can't handle 4 days, since my traveling is so difficult. The other teachers requested Thursday as day off, and I had wanted Sunday and Wednesday. For some peculiar reason, my request wasn't in the pile. Maybe that's because I wasn't at the summer staff meetings, since they were during my trip to New York.

We still have an opening for another teacher, male or female for a boys high school. It's in Beit El. If you're interested, please let me know.

Classes are supposed to resume on August 26.

Vacation coming to an end

Here in Israel, many of the religious schools are beginning the year on August 26 or even earlier. That's because Rosh Hashannah is very early this year, and the schools like to prepare the students for the spiritual importance of the Jewish New Year.

"free" to post, I hope

Something strange happened to this blog not long ago. It was somehow deemed "spam" by blogger, and it was "closed" for posting.

I sent in a protest, and they took a look and sent me a letter announcing that it's now open for posting. Let's see.

How to become an English Teacher in Israel

People are always asking me how to become an English teacher in Israel, how to get jobs, etc.

One thing; there's a shortage, especially of male teachers. There are schools which will only allow males to teach, so it's relatively easy to get a chance.

Many of us first began teaching and only later got official qualifications. I got my teacher's licence in the David Yellin Teachers College, Jerusalem.

Honestly, I love teaching. Otherwise, how could I continue?

I'm now asking anyone with information or questions to put them in the comments. So if you have questions and information, please go to the comments. Also, if anyone wants to join this blog and post, please let me know. I'll be away with less internet access for a few weeks, so don't worry if I don't get back to you immediately.

Thanks

ETAI Convention and a rant

There were lots of teachers at the ETAI Convention of Israeli English Teachers. And many were from the Benjamin Region, north of Jerusalem.

One even spoke to me about this blog, which is very encouraging. I believe that blogging should be utilized by English teachers.

It's always a treat to go to the convention, even when I only go for one day. Lots of old friends are English teachers, though many are retiring.

ETAI isn't a workers union, and it isn't associated with the two teachers unions. I think that we've missed out of our greatest chance to contribute our knowledge and experience to Israeli education because of that. I find it very frustrating. I truly hope that some of the younger teachers will take on the challenge of getting involved in the regular unions.

Even though English here is EFL, not ESL, the Education Ministry's English Department makes policies as if we're responsible for general education, but in English. So instead of concentrating on "teaching English" we are forced to teach the kids "projects" and research and internet and "thinking," etc. Yes, these things are important, but they must be part of the regular Hebrew curriculum.

Two Teachers, but no Co-Teaching?

The 11th and 12th grades will have two teachers. One for "learning English," and the other in a large double-lesson, for doing "unseens," reading comprehension.

We officially had it this year, but my weak students hated it. They never showed up. To improve matters, I've suggested that they get separate grades for the 2/5 hours. I also told the teacher who is getting these sessions that he must have help. Anarchy isn't conducive to learning.

I'm going to cross-post on me-ander.

English Bagrut

Where I teach, the kids who need to hear the test on tapes or orally are set up in the Tikshoret, Media, classroom. There's a two-room soundproof studio, just perfect for special testing.

getting the students to write a composition

For dovrim (native speakers), they should be able to work more on their own, or in pairs. My group was the other end of the spectrum. But first teach them the basis of simple stories by using the question words. They should learn that a story has beginning, middle end, conflict and resolution.
Collect pictures from all over, magazines, internet, or like mine were sent by my son when trekking around. Mount them on bristol and code them. Have the kids write the code so you'll know which they used. You can reuse the pictures if they're mounted, like I did.

Considering that not all Israeli students are taught composition skills, it would be good to do a sample first together.

Please let me know what happens.
Good luck!

Welcome

We are English Teachers EFL in the Binyamin Local Council in Israel, just north of Jerusalem. We teach all levels.