Today, I successfully finished my first day of school. For those that don’t know, I’m back in Oregon to pursue my Master’s in TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages). I have no academic experience in Linguistics (which is what most of the TESOL classes are), therefore I need to jump through some hoops before I can get into the Master’s program. I have to take two linguistics classes, do well in them, and get recommendations from those professors before I can apply for the graduate program.
I walked onto campus this morning feeling nervous and excited to learn. I’ve always like learning and taking classes, but it was different being an older student. When I was an undergrad, I never worried about how my tuition was being paid. My parents, scholorships, and student loans covered all of that. This time, the $1000+ tuition for two classes is coming from my checking account, and my views towards classes are completly different.
It’s the same situation as when I was teaching English to adults in S. Korea. The older students were always more attentive and eager to learn because 1) they chose to be there, and 2) they paid for their classes, not their mothers or fathers. I’m paying a lot of money to be here, so unike the 18 and 19 year freshmen, I’m not searching out places to socialize, joining clubs, getting tickets for football games, looking for cute boys, or sunbathing on the campus lawn. My goal is to study and get good grades, and that’s why I don’t plan on working this term.
My 10am “Biligualism 480″ class turned out to be pretty interesting. I’m bilingual myself, so it was a topic I could fully understand, even though I had never critically analyzed the way this has affected my life and growing up in the States.
These are some of the questions we plan on covering this term:
- How is language stored in the brains of bilinguals?
- Does growing up with two languages hinder language acquistion as many people believe? Does it help it along?
- Why do bilinguals often mix their languages when they speak?
- Is there any system to this switinching , or is it random, as monolinguals often believe?
- How do various countries around the world deal with questions of educating bilinguals?
September 28th, 2006 at September 28, 2006 - 1:40 am
How does it feel to be on the other side of the classroom again? Does it feel strange jumping from teacher to student? I bet that you can empathize more with the teacher now can’t you? I felt that way when I left teaching in Korea to take an English 101 class with a bunch of 1st years. I was the keener who sat right at the front of the class, answering the teacher’s questions….then again, maybe I’m just a nerd!!!
September 28th, 2006 at September 28, 2006 - 1:40 am
Can you tell I have more frequent access to a computer with internet now?
September 28th, 2006 at September 28, 2006 - 2:59 am
Yeah, it feels a little weird to be sitting down. One of my professors looks like a grad student and I thought to myself, “He sure looks young to be teaching me.” (Even though I later found out he has a Ph.D.) Now I’m thinking that my students probably thought the same thing about me.
September 28th, 2006 at September 28, 2006 - 11:43 pm
I’m kind of worried of my own transition from ESL teacher to grad student. Fortunately, I won’t have to face that for at least another year.
You seem to have everything under control. I know attending school is a totally different experience compared to traveling throughout Asia, but you have me by the eyelids. Keep us updated.