On October 30th the ETEA will host a series of round table discussions and a social for ESL teachers from across Vancouver. The event will run from 3:45 to 7:00 pm at the YWCA (535 Hornby Street) in Welch Room 1, on the fourth floor. All ESL teachers in the public, non-profit and private sectors are invited to attend and take part in discussions and enjoy some food and beverages. Where is the ESL industry going and how will this affect teachers? Can ESL teaching be a long-term career or will we always be stuck with part-time and temporary work? Do teachers have the working conditions they need to deliver high quality education? These are some of the questions that will be discussed. We look forward to seeing you there.
ETEA Supports VCC Teachers at Board of Governors’ Meeting
ETEA members came out to support Vancouver Community College teachers and students at the VCC board of governors’ meeting on September 24th. With dozens of vital ESL programs for immigrants and refugees and 70 good union jobs facing elimination in December the ESL Matters campaign sought to delay the board’s vote on the matter until after meeting with the provincial government again to pressure it to restore funding. There were many moving testimonials presented to the board but the most powerful came from students who spoke of how these programs made them feel like full members of the community and gave them opportunities to pursue their dreams. ETEA will continue to support the ESL matters campaign and our brothers and sisters in the VCC Faculty Association (FPSE Local 15).
7 Factors that May Affect Your Students’ Pronunciation
Students’ Ages
As an ESL teacher you’ve probably already noticed the difference between teaching young learners and adults. The younger your students are, the easier it is for them to acquire an accurate pronunciation – and it becomes increasingly difficult as they age as the brain’s original plasticity diminishes, and it becomes more rigid. Now that said, this does not mean adult students should give up trying to improve their pronunciation. It just means they have to work harder. If you teach adult ESL learners, be ready to plan and devote some of your class time to targeted pronunciation practice.
Learners’ Attitudes
Research and studies consistently show that ESL students with a positive attitude towards learning English learn faster. By the same token, students who are genuinely open-minded and interested in improving their pronunciation often do improve it. It is truly amazing what the right attitude can do. On the other hand, students who have prejudices or a natural dislike for English will be less successful than those with a positive attitude and open mind. If you have students who are openly negative or complain about the English language, try to have a nice long chat to address these issues. Before you can help students overcome their pronunciation barriers, you’ll need to help them overcome these others barriers first. Continue reading 7 Factors that May Affect Your Students’ Pronunciation
Working in a Non-Unionized Workplace
by Christina – Local 6
There probably isn’t much I can say about working at a non-unionized school that will surprise anyone. We’ve all experienced it—the inadequate compensation, the exploitation of our very natural desire to teach and help our students, the lack of job security. After six years working at a school where unpopularity with students was enough to endanger a teacher’s job, where a two year salary freeze significantly lowered my family’s standard of living, I was ready to leave the ESL industry.
Instead, I decided to give my chosen career one more chance and made a move to a unionized school. In my first months at this new job, I am making more money than I did after 6 years at my former school. I have a benefits package. There are clear and fair procedures that guide my employers in how they treat me and an infrastructure that protects me from unfair dismissal. These are real and tangible benefits that have changed my life for the better.
This is what a union did for me. My only regret is leaving my former school without organizing it. I let management threats about job losses and shutting down the school dissuade me even though I knew these tactics were ubiquitous and unworthy. If you agree that a strong united voice will force the ESL industry to treat its teachers respectfully, and if you agree that fair compensation is a priority, don’t let empty threats intimidate you. Contact the ETEA and start the process.
In a Union
by Collin – Local 6
Since their inception, trade unions and their members have pushed for worker rights, increased wages, safety, security and benefits for workers. While employers have viciously used any means political, legal or other in order to prevent, disrupt or destroy collective bargaining, labour unions have largely been responsible for the general improvement in wages, job safety and job security in the industrialized world. This in turn, has also contributed to a higher standard of living.
In some of the countries with the highest standards of living we see a majority of organized workers in the workforce. Several Scandanavian countries have some of both the highest union membership among paid workers -Denmark 69%, Sweden 71% and very high human development indexes. (As of 2010 – “Trade union,” Wikipedia) Unionization in these countries isn’t leading to less opportunity and investment, as anti union propagandists would have people believe, but to an improved society and standard of living.
Companies and some politicians disseminate rumours of corruption and lazy unionized employees to undermine efforts to organize and sway public opinion against unionization, but unions seek to protect workers, and raise dignity, not cheat people or companies out of anything and not to promote unprofessional behaviour.
While so many of our politicians whose voices are paid for are now fighting for the interests of unethical corporations and money for the few richest, it is as important as ever to be aware of our working conditions and protect what we and all the unionized workers before us have fought for. As we move through tumultuous times economically and politically, we have to help ourselves by helping each other. When people say nothing, the situation won’t improve.
Being in a union and being involved with a union are two very different things. We have many members in our union as in many other labour unions, who are content to let what “the union” and management decide go unchallenged and in some cases unnoticed. This is as bad as not voting come election day. All it takes is a few minutes to send an email or ask some questions of other members.
Active members, beleaguered as they sometimes are, are our ears, eyes, hands and voices. They fight for us and are responsible for improving working conditions and benefits. We cannot leave this to the employers alone. It would never happen. This is democracy. It is both our right and responsibility.
So don’t forget that the union is there to help you and you can help yourself by getting involved. Remember to consult your shop stewards, executive members and volunteers. You can join committees and volunteer a little of your own time. It’s easy to do and is empowering.