September 2nd, 2013. This is it: the first day of the first week of the semester. While I still use Google Map to make it to Folwell Hall, students and faculty members invade the campus and start to work.
As hinted in the title of this article, I was still a bit uncomfortable but soon, I got used to all of it; I decorated my cubicle, got to know the 15 other grad students sharing the office, and re-embraced the joy of being a student again!
My task as an FLTA was mainly to assist, that is to say: creating teaching material, taking over the class every once in a while, helping with speaking activities in class and tutoring. I also organized a conversation-hour every week, which allowed me to share my culture, the Dutch language and make new friends.
Combining my TA duties with my American studies class, my German and Pedagogy ones was easy. I was back in the comfort zone…which could only mean that I was ready to get out of it again.
January 21st, 2014. It is way too cold outside, we are granted an extra day off before a new semester. This time, Jenneke advised me not to take to many classes as I was now a primary teacher of Dutch at the U of M. In addition to the weekly conversation-hour and the tutoring, I know deal with grades, preps for class, designing quizzes and bringing Dutch/Belgian food to class! I really enjoy my job and feel extremely proud when I see how my students have progressed so far. I also try to take part to the department’s activities and to represent it the best I can.
I am thankful for the professional opportunity I was given here at the University of Minnesota, it is one of the best I had!
From stressed-out assistant to relaxed primary teacher
I won’t lie to you, coming to the US to teach your third foreign language at a university-level was at first challenging and stressful. In addition to all the red tape and orientation meetings, the beginning of the fall semester was also the start of a whole new teaching position. Although it might sound negative, I was happy, that’s exactly what I was there for: stepping out of my comfort zone! And I was not alone: my supervisor Jenneke Oosterhoff was very supportive and helpful.
I won’t lie to you, coming to the US to teach your third foreign language at a university-level was at first challenging and stressful.
In addition to all the red tape and orientation meetings, the beginning of the fall semester was also the start of a whole new teaching position. Although it might sound negative, I was happy, that’s exactly what I was there for: stepping out of my comfort zone! And I was not alone: my supervisor Jenneke Oosterhoff was very supportive and helpful.
– EMILIE VAN LEEMPUT (Belgian FLTA- UMN)