As promised, though a day late, I’m letting you know a little more about what I will be doing in Kyrgyzstan (K’stan).

My job title is TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Teacher Trainer.  I will either work with a university or a teaching association to team-teach English methodology courses for about 8hrs per week, spend 10 hrs planning and preparing training sessions,  as well as observe university students who are completing practicums.   This is a real brief summary that will become more detailed as I go through training (and as always, it is subject to change). Secondary projects would include helping to develop resources/curriculum, training workshops,  or extra-curricular English language activities.  I will get to work with Kyrgyzstani  counterparts in all projects!

I’m told the working environment in universities involves a 6 day work week (Mon-Sat) and that most teaching staffs are women.  Apparently, women are active in education,law, medicine, and banking/accounting.  That said, it seems women do still marry and start families young…this can be a discrimination issue at times.

For my TESL friends, you might not be surprised to know that American teaching methods are not common in Kstan.  The classrooms are generally teacher centered and Grammar Translation heavy.  A goal will be to bring in more communicative methods.

I guess that’s a good start for what I’m going to be doing…I’m really, really excited to be able to get more experience teaching English.  Though subbing has taught me a lot about managing students and being flexible in teaching, that is only half of teaching (if that).  This job  also feels a little bit beyond me right now, but I’m trying to remember that I’ve been trained, chosen, and will be trained some more.  On days when I’m freaking out (all gasp in mock shock), I’m trusting in God’s knack for using weak things to get the job done and show His abilities not mine…

Tomorrow, I’ll give you the skinny on where I’m actually going?

~ by Amber on February 17, 2010.