Tutors
We will shortly be recruiting new tutors to teach our language classes, crammer courses and to undertake private tuition work. All languages are welcome, but we particularly require teachers of French, German and Spanish. Applicants must have a teaching qualification and an up-to-date CRB check.
Translators and Interpreters
We will accept applications to join our database of Translators and Interpreters for any language.
See details on the website.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
How do I get into PMFL teaching?
I have received a few emails recently about this, asking for advice on how to go about teaching languages in Primary Schools. I must stress here that I only have my own experiences to talk about and that there are many other ways to go about this.
I have not retrained to teach Primary, but I have modified my methodology - a lot of imagination is needed and a love of singing and story telling!
I have set myself up as a business. This means that I do all of my marketing, finance and admin myself, as well as the actual job of teaching. In the first instance that means writing to schools, advertising in directories and magazines and spreading the word. Then comes the hard work of making sure you deliver the service required and keeping up the momentum, as well as making sure that your accounts are up to date and that you have adequate insurance.
PMFL on its own would not be feasible, in my opinion. If you do want to go down this route, then you must be flexible and offer a range of services, otherwise the business is not financially viable.
I have not retrained to teach Primary, but I have modified my methodology - a lot of imagination is needed and a love of singing and story telling!
I have set myself up as a business. This means that I do all of my marketing, finance and admin myself, as well as the actual job of teaching. In the first instance that means writing to schools, advertising in directories and magazines and spreading the word. Then comes the hard work of making sure you deliver the service required and keeping up the momentum, as well as making sure that your accounts are up to date and that you have adequate insurance.
PMFL on its own would not be feasible, in my opinion. If you do want to go down this route, then you must be flexible and offer a range of services, otherwise the business is not financially viable.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
What's On in October
2nd, 9th, 16th October - Beginners French Course, Scopwick Village Hall
3rd, 10th, 17th October - Beginners French Course, Billinghay Methodist Church
3rd, 10th, 17th October - Beginners French Course, Billinghay Methodist Church
Monday, September 18, 2006
HS Language Services in the news
Felicity Carter is a student wanting to undertake the trip of a lifetime to Borneo next year, to do voluntary work. She was in need of sponsorship for equipment and I decided that I'd like to help out. I did voluntary work abroad myself, in Cyprus in 2000 and thought this an ideal way to help out both a local girl and a charity.
See the article here.
See the article here.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
How do I become fluent?
This is a question that I am often asked and the answer is simply PRACTICE!
There are of course many techniques for improving language and many different ways of learning. This may be in classes at school, adult education classes, self-study or the total immersion method.
Spend as much time as you can reading and listening to the language. If you are a beginner, start off with short news articles, working your way up to the longer ones as you become more confident. This will enable you to get a feel for the language and to build up your vocabulary.
The most effective way of learning is to spend time with speakers of the language. If your village has a local twinning association, join it. You will get to meet the people of the country and get to understand the culture and traditions.
Fluency is described here. I have studied languages since the age of 11 (French and German) and did A levels in these subjects. However, I didn't think myself truly fluent until I spent my year abroad, two years into my degree course. This is because I had no choice but to communicate.
Several years later I started an Open University course in German, and only felt fluent after doing a residential summer school in Jena, Germany. I strongly believe that it is vital to spend time in the country n order to become proficient.
Of course, becoming fluent in a language is the easy thing to do, it's keeping up your skills that is difficult.
There are of course many techniques for improving language and many different ways of learning. This may be in classes at school, adult education classes, self-study or the total immersion method.
Spend as much time as you can reading and listening to the language. If you are a beginner, start off with short news articles, working your way up to the longer ones as you become more confident. This will enable you to get a feel for the language and to build up your vocabulary.
The most effective way of learning is to spend time with speakers of the language. If your village has a local twinning association, join it. You will get to meet the people of the country and get to understand the culture and traditions.
Fluency is described here. I have studied languages since the age of 11 (French and German) and did A levels in these subjects. However, I didn't think myself truly fluent until I spent my year abroad, two years into my degree course. This is because I had no choice but to communicate.
Several years later I started an Open University course in German, and only felt fluent after doing a residential summer school in Jena, Germany. I strongly believe that it is vital to spend time in the country n order to become proficient.
Of course, becoming fluent in a language is the easy thing to do, it's keeping up your skills that is difficult.
What's On in September
11 the September - Beginners French Class, Scopwick Village Hall, 715 - 8.45pm
10 week course commences
12th September - Beginners French Class, Billinghay Methodist Church, 7.15 - 8.45pm
10 week course commences. Places still available.
26th September - European Day of Languages
Display at Woodhall Spa Library
10 week course commences
12th September - Beginners French Class, Billinghay Methodist Church, 7.15 - 8.45pm
10 week course commences. Places still available.
26th September - European Day of Languages
Display at Woodhall Spa Library
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Please beware pickpockets and thieves
There is a new distraction technique going on around and about, and unfortunately I fell victim to it this week. A seasoned traveller, I am surprised and rather upset to have been duped by this.
The technique is simple. I was sat in a cafe with friends, bag safely out of the way (or so I thought), when there was a knock on the window. That half a second of a glance was enough and when I went to get my bag, it simply wasn't there. I didn't even notice, nor did my friend who was looking in my direction.
Please take care when out and about.
The technique is simple. I was sat in a cafe with friends, bag safely out of the way (or so I thought), when there was a knock on the window. That half a second of a glance was enough and when I went to get my bag, it simply wasn't there. I didn't even notice, nor did my friend who was looking in my direction.
Please take care when out and about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
