Interview to an English teacher
Good morning my name is Eleonora and I’m an ex student
of this school, now before my specialist degree I have to do an interview to an
English teacher and I thank you in advance, for the opportunity you are giving
me.
You are welcome!
Can I start?
Of course, yes!
What’s your name?
My name is
Gabriella Cuzari.
Why did you decide to do this job?
Well, actually I
didn’t decide to do that. When I decided to attend a University course in
foreign languages, I was just interested in foreign languages I wanted to work
in the tourist trade to be a hostess for example.
Like me, it’s my dream!
Ok, but then
soon, after I got my degree, I started teaching in a private school here in
Messina. Here I am now.
Have you even worked abroad?
No, I have never
worked abroad. I had to go to teach Italian in a Scottish school and I had my
plane ticket that I had to give up for family problems.
Hmm...And in which course are you working now and have
you ever worked in other places as a teacher?
Yes, now I’m
teaching in courses with an emphasis on life sciences: psychology education,
sociology, but I also worked in lower secondary schools and in financial-oriented
secondary schools.
How is school organized or what are the courses?
It’s a big
school, there are some forty courses and a lot of students. The school year is
divided into two terms of four months each. Well I think the school is well-organized
even if it is quite big.
How many hours do you have to work a day?
I usually work
five hours a day. I’m free on Wednesday, but I’m often at school in the
afternoon.
How do you organize your lessons? Do you use only
books or multimedia instruments?
Not only books
of course, multimedia instruments are necessary and essential. Today students
are not used to spending long hours on books, so they need other instruments.
We make use of CDs or DVDs, but also of smart boards.
Hmm ... what are smart boards?
Interactive
boards! Ok?
Ok, ehm, so do you think it is important for students
the use of internet or other multimedia instruments?
They can help,
but not all of my students have the internet, an internet connection, so also
books are necessary. On line lessons cannot replace traditional lessons.
And do you believe that an interview like this can
help them to practice foreign languages?
Yes, we use role-plays
as a rule in the classroom.
Then what are the characteristics of a good English
student in general?
In general, yes,
a good student of foreign languages, a good English student has to be curious,
open minded and brave. Students are sometimes afraid of making fools of
themselves and they are quite shy.
And do you believe it is important going to UK or
other abroad to practice languages?
Yes, going
abroad, of course yes. You don’t need necessary to go to the UK to speak English,
you can also go to a country of Northern Europe: The Netherlands, Denmark,
Sweden for example. There English is a second language.
So for example is the Erasmus’ experience interesting in
your opinion?
Yes, of course.
Comenius for student of secondary school students and Erasmus for University
students.
And in this school are they organized?
Yes, there are Comenius
activities, also stage in the UK, and stage in France, in Spain to practice
foreign languages.
How important is English now?
And we can substitute it to another language?
No, I don’t
think English can be replaced. It is the world language, no doubts. It’s a pity
because many other languages are as beautiful and interesting as English, but
English is the world language.
It is said that it is the global language, since the
first year of University we repeat it.
And do you believe that to understand English it’s
better knowing also the culture of English people?
Culture and language are strictly connected, but the
study of English also teaches you that many different cultures are connected to
the English language, so British culture is quite different from the American
one, but they all speak English.
Have you ever given any
advice to your students to become English teachers?
Well, most of my students are not particularly
interested in foreign languages. They are more concentrated more ... they focus
their attention on other subjects: psychology, sociology, education. So I don’t
think many of them will be English teachers in the future.
And have you ever worked in
a Linguistic College?
No, never.
Have you ever asked to your
students to make a similar interview?
Not, just this one. But role-plays in general.
Do you think it is
interesting?
Role-plays you mean? Or such an interview?
Both
Yes, it is a good activity!
Thank you very much for this
opportunity and ... nothing, ... I hope not to have bored you.
No, of course not, you are welcome!
Ok, good bye!
Bye!
Eleonora Giacoppo
