Another Opportunity to Teach English!
Are you an early riser? Do you not know what to do with your extra time? Do you love using technology to teach students? Do you have a bubbly personality and aren't camera shy?
If this is you, you can apply to teach students in China the English language! How easy would it be to open your eyes at 3:30 AM, turn on your computer, and start teaching? That is what people are doing when they join a Beijing company, called VIPKID, that is now listed on a Forbes list as one of the top remote jobs to hold.
VIPKID uses videoconferencing to connect the teacher to the student, and over 200,000 Chinese students are taking advantage of this opportunity to learn from a native language teacher. Each teacher can set up their own schedule, but they must keep in mind the time differences between China and their personal location. The best part is that VIPKID does all of the work! There are no lessons to plan or grading to be done! All you need is a "college degree (it doesn't have to be in education), a year of experience teaching or mentoring, reliable internet and a six-month contract" (Klein, 2018).Teachers can earn $14-$22 an hour! The teacher also gets the bonus of learning about the Chinese culture. It sounds like a rewarding part-time job.
Some advice from Sonya Johnson, a retired teacher from St. Mary Parish: "You have to be expressive. You can't be boring," she said, adding, "I sing. I dance. It's so much fun."
Are you interested? If so, read the article so you can Teach English to Chinese students , and get more information!
Watch an informational
video:
Good luck!
Extra bonus for all of us: Vipkid also has a blog that details how to teach certain skills to Chinese students! Many can be used to find tips for all students!! Go take a look! :)
Klein, M. (2018, February 3). [Your neighbors could be making ends meet teaching children overseas]. Retrieved February 16, 2018, from The Town Talk website: http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/education/2018/02/03/ local-educators-find-second-job-teaching-english-students-china-your-neighbor-could-making-ends-meet/1078292001/
Language Creativity with Art Technology
I found this article About Wimage and have been playing with the app ever since! It is an iphone and ipad app that started out as a place for Veterans to use art as therapy, and is now being utilized for urban children and language learners! This new app's name, Wimage , is a combination of words and images.
This app allows the student to put their thoughts into an image. The child just needs to say or spell a word, and a picture will show up on the screen. This will help students learn to be technology creators and not just technology consumers!
As the article states, "Beginning to think creatively at an early age is key for students developing confidence and communication skills, and the app can jumpstart that development" (Art allows, 2008).
How does it work? You speak a word and the word shows up along with a picture representing the word. This can be a good way for the student to identify the correct word is being shown. (If there isn't a picture to go with the word, the word will just appear, thus defeating the purpose I am setting for this app.) Relevance? An ELL student might be writing a story, but does not know how to spell a word. They can put the word into the app, and if the picture doesn't match what they want, they will know they didn't say the right word. They can write down the words they are using to have their own word bank when completing their writing assignment. Additionally, they can then create an illustration to go with the 'things' in their story! All of this can be done independently! How empowering?!
Additionally, I see this app as useful in regards to a student who is reading, but does not know what a word means. They could open the app, speak the word from the text, and if it is a word that can be illustrated, an image will appear! This might not be as useful because the illustration may be a way to show the word, but not very clear cut. For example:
This is how the app displays the word "below"------------------>
Using visuals and visual cues are an essential teaching strategy when working with the ELL population. Fortunately, the creators are still working on this app to increase the benefits for language learners! This app could be the upcoming tool for language writing development for our beginning language learners!
Sidenote: The creators are hoping to have Spanish as their next language. My hope is that it will be programmed for both languages. This way the student can speak a word in Spanish to get the English word. Students would have their own language dictionary!
Visit Wimage today!
Meet Wimee, Wimage's mascot!
Stateside Staff. (2018, February 7). [App allows users to visualize their words,
adding new dimension to classrooms, art therapy]. Retrieved February 16,
2018, from Michigan Radio website: http://michiganradio.org/post/
app-allows-users-visualize-their-words-adding-new-dimension-classrooms-art-therap
y
I have a friend who started teaching with VIPKID when she was home on maternity leave. She said she loved teaching late at night or during the mornings. I looked into it, but thought it might be better to wait until after finishing grad school. It's certainly an interesting opportunity and a great chance for teachers who love language and technology. Great post!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, What a great opportunity for teachers and it is really interesting that you know someone who had done it! I agree with you that it would be better to wait until after grad school to take on this opportunity. Good luck and I hope you enjoy it when you decide it is the right time!
ReplyDelete