Teachers’ Anecdotes

My first presentation at a conference

–Balkrishna Sharma

When the preparation for NELTA’s International Conference was going on, I for the first time in my life decided to make a presentation at the conference though I was not sure what I specifically was going to talk about. I now want to recall what thoughts went inside my head before the presentation day. I first thought that I should not have decided to present in front of so many people. And again thought that if I did not start at that time, when would I start presenting? Then came another crazy idea: it was better not to present than to give a bad presentation. Another half of my mind again suggested that I present. Again I thought what if I trembled in front of the people. Then I thought what would happen if no people came in my presentation room. Then another silly idea occurred: how would the presentaion go if the computer did not work or if my power point slides did not open. Then I thought people would laugh at me if I could not answer audience’s questions. I hardly slept that night. Surprisingly, I was able to present without any hesitation and fear the next day. The room was full of audience; the powerpoint slides worked well; and I was able to answer the audience’s questions. The implication of my story is that it is always challenging to ‘break the ice’, but once you get started, everything moves smoothly. Last month I presented at East-West Center Graduate Student International Conference, and at Hawaii TESOL, and on 26th of March I am presenting at TESOL Convention at Denver (USA). My first presentation at the NELTA conference was the foundation and encouragement for my present and future presentations. I reiterate: a journey of hundred miles starts from a step. Let’s try…. and reflect…

 

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My first day as a secondary teacher

–Kate Miller

We had a couple of hours to get to know our new tutor group, and we spent some of this time going over their timetable, checking they had written everything down correctly and understood what was required of them. About three quarters of the way through, to my horror, I realised that I had turned over two pages and had given them completely incorrect information. What to do? The only thing was to confess and apologise!! – two hours into my teaching career. So much for my credibility. An 11 year old boy, with great sensitivity, said “Don’t worry Miss. The last teacher wasn’t even half human!” My lesson from this. If you get it wrong, apologise. —————————————————————————————————————————————

1 thought on “Teachers’ Anecdotes

  1. Dear Kate and Balkrishna Sir,

    I read your ANECDOTES and thanks for sharing us. I have recently had my first presentation on CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO ENGLISH EDUCATION IN NEPALESE CONTEXT at 16th International Conference of NELTA in Kathmandu (Feb 18 to 20, 2011). I also did not sleep and the whole night I woke up for the preparation. Unfortunately my laptop was not working one day before my presentation but fortunately I got it repaired.

    I was in doubt that no audience would attend my presentation. I was surprised to see the room full of audience. Sheila Nelson, regional coordinator at British Council was one of them who asked me a number of questions which were replied by me. At the end of the presentation, she encouraged me.

    PRAVEEN
    NELTA BIRGUNJ

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