My Journey as an English Teacher with a Biology Background(career tree)

Navigating the Uncharted Territory: My Journey as an English Teacher with a Biology Background

Introduction:

My name is kainat Muzaffar.As a biology teacher turned English teacher, I've encountered numerous challenges that have tested my patience, creativity, and passion for teaching. In this blog, I'll share my experiences and hurdles in the form of a career tree, highlighting the twists and turns that have shaped my journey.

The Career Tree:

Imagine a tree with roots, trunk, branches, and leaves. Each part of the tree represents a stage in my career journey.

Roots: Biology Background

My roots are grounded in biology, my area of expertise and passion.

 I felt comfortable teaching biology, but life had other plans.

Trunk: The Unexpected Turn

 I was assigned to teach English, a subject I had never taught before. I felt like a fish out of water, struggling to adapt to the new subject.

Branches: Hurdles and Challenges

Lack of Subject Matter Expertise:

 I had to learn English grammar, vocabulary, and literature from scratch.

Classroom Management: 

Teaching a new subject made it difficult to manage the classroom effectively.

Lesson Planning: 

Creating engaging and informative lessons for English classes was a daunting task.Self-Doubt: I questioned my ability to teach English, fearing I wasn't doing justice to the subject or my students.

Leaves: Growth and Development

Seeking Support: I attended workshops, joined online forums, and sought guidance from colleagues to improve my English teaching skills.Focusing on Communication Skills: I emphasized developing students' communication skills, which helped me build confidence in the classroom.

Embracing the Challenge: 

I viewed teaching English as an opportunity to grow, learn, and develop new skills.

Celebrating Small Wins:

 I acknowledged and celebrated small victories, like successfully teaching a difficult lesson or receiving positive feedback from students.

From Biology to English:

 My Unconventional Teaching Journey"

As a biology teacher turned English teacher, I've navigated uncharted territory, facing numerous challenges and opportunities. In this blog, I'll share my experiences, highlighting the hurdles I've overcome and the impact I've had on my students.

Hurdles:

1. Lack of subject matter expertise:

As a biology teacher, I had to learn English grammar, vocabulary, and literature from scratch.

2.Classroom management: 

Teaching a new subject made it difficult to manage the classroom effectively.

3.Lesson planning: 

Creating engaging and informative lessons for English classes was a daunting task.

4.Language barrier:

Communicating with students and colleagues in a language that's not my native tongue presented an additional challenge.

My Teaching Method:

As I navigated the challenges of teaching English, I developed a unique teaching method that blended my biology background with English language instruction. Here are some positive and negative comments on my teaching method:

Positive Comments:

 "I love how you use real-life examples from biology to explain complex English concepts. It makes learning so much more engaging and interactive!" - Emily, Grade 11

 "Your teaching style is so unique and effective. You make us think critically and creatively, which has helped me improve my writing and speaking skills." - David, Grade 10

- "I appreciate how you emphasize communication skills and encourage us to participate in class discussions. It's helped me build my confidence and fluency in English." - Sophia, Grade 12

Negative Comments:

"Sometimes, I feel like you're trying to teach us too much biology in an English class. I get confused between the two subjects." - John, Grade 11

"I wish you would provide more explicit grammar instruction. Sometimes, I feel like I'm not getting the support I need to improve my grammar skills." - Rachel, Grade 10

"I love your enthusiasm, but sometimes you talk too fast, and I have trouble following what you're saying." - Michael, Grade 12

Reflection and Improvement:

As I reflect on my teaching method, I realize that I need to strike a better balance between using biology examples and providing explicit grammar instruction. I also need to work on slowing down my speech and providing more support for students who need it.

Teaching English as a biology teacher has been a rewarding and challenging experience. While I've faced hurdles, I've also developed a unique teaching method that blends my biology background with English language instruction. By reflecting on my teaching method and seeking feedback from students, I'm committed to continuous improvement and providing the best possible education for my students.

Teaching English as a Non-Native Subject: My Journey as a Biology Teacher

As a biology teacher, I never thought I'd find myself teaching English to a room full of students. But, life has a way of surprising us, and I soon found myself facing the daunting task of teaching a subject that was not my area of expertise. In this blog, I'll share my experiences, hurdles, and lessons learned as I navigated the challenges of teaching English as a non-native subject.

The Initial Struggle:

When I first started teaching English, I felt like a fish out of water. My background in biology had not prepared me for the nuances of the English language, and I struggled to connect with my students. I remember feeling anxious before each class, wondering how I would manage to teach a subject that I wasn't familiar with.

Hurdles Along the Way:

As I continued to teach English, I encountered several hurdles that tested my patience and creativity. Some of the challenges I faced included:

Lack of subject matter expertise: 

As a biology teacher, I wasn't familiar with the intricacies of English grammar, vocabulary, and literature. I had to rely on textbooks, online resources, and colleague support to stay ahead of my students.

Classroom management:

 Teaching a subject that wasn't my area of expertise made it difficult to manage the classroom effectively. Students would often ask questions that I struggled to answer, leading to a loss of control and momentum.

Lesson planning: 

Planning lessons for English classes was a daunting task. I had to create engaging and informative lessons that catered to the needs of my students, all while navigating the complexities of the English language.

Lessons Learned:

Despite the challenges, I learned several valuable lessons that helped me grow as a teacher:

Be honest with your students:

I quickly realized that I didn't have all the answers, and that was okay. I was honest with my students about my limitations, and they appreciated my transparency.

Seek support:

 I relied heavily on my colleagues and online resources to help me stay ahead of my students. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Focus on communication skills: While I may not have been an expert in English grammar or literature, I could focus on developing my students' communication skills. This helped me build confidence in the classroom and connect with my students on a deeper level.

Conclusion:

Teaching English as a non-native subject was a challenging but rewarding experience. While I faced numerous hurdles along the way, I learned valuable lessons about the importance of honesty, seeking support, and focusing on communication skills. If you're a teacher facing a similar challenge, I encourage you to be patient, persistent, and open to learning. With time and practice, you'll find your footing and become a confident and effective teacher, regardless of the subject you're teaching.

Takeaways

1. Be open to new challenges and opportunities.

2. Seek support and guidance from colleagues and experts.

3. Focus on developing transferable skills, like communication and problem-solving.

4. Celebrate small wins and acknowledge progress along the way.

By embracing the unknown and navigating the hurdles, you can turn your career tree into a thriving, resilient, and fruitful one.