Abstract
This chapter examines preparing teachers for managing emergencies. The emphasis is teachers of English as a Second Language, also known as English as a Foreign Language. The age group is early childhood education. A common thread is that the duration and frequency of emergencies determines development, standards, and emergency planning and implementation. The methodology is to examine some problems that the teachers face in emergencies that could be resolved with the objective of sharing best practice. These are addressed under the headings: “A Mindset for the Unexpected,” “Target Setting for the Desired and Desirable Structure,” “Pedagogical Expertise: Qualifying to Be a Teacher and a Savior,” “The Virtual Teacher but Not an Avatar,” “Sharing Best Practice One: Setting the Tone,” and “Sharing Best Practice Two: Syllabus and Curriculum.” The thesis that permeates through these sections is that teacher preparation of the lesson and so too preparation of the teacher to teach are linked to each other and to the quality of education.
TopFirst Element: A Mindset For The Unexpected
The first element in an emergency a teacher addresses is to be in the right mindset for the unexpected. Until the emergency happens this is theoretical, everything is conceptual, and then the emergency happens, and everyone finds themselves thrown into the reality that is like the deep end of a cold-water pool in the middle of winter. In an ESL normal classroom, by definition, every child is coming from a different cultural background and maybe with a different language. For all English is the second language. Therefore an ESL teacher in ECE works in a multi-cultural and multi-language workplace. This is a mindset advantage over other teachers in an emergency.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Junior Vacation Course (JVC): A short English language course that is held during the school year breaks for young learners for example of English as a Second Language.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD): The term used to describe the learning activities that professional teachers engage in to develop and enhance their abilities.
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE): This is a one- or two-year higher education course in the United Kingdom which provides training in order to allow graduates to become teachers within state schools.
Early Childhood Education (ECE): This is all forms of education, both formal and informal, provided to young children up to approximately 8 years of age.
English as a Second Language (ESL): The term that describes the field of English teaching and learning for whom English is not the primary or first language.
Emergency: This is a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action, especially of need for help or relief.