September is approaching…

You may not want the summer holidays to end, but it is almost over just a few days left. September is approaching and a new school year begins.

I really hope you enjoyed your summer holidays and you are ready to jump back in…

However, I am aware of having mixed feelings about the new start. We feel both pleased and not pleased about it at the same time. We are excited but we also know that we are going to face some difficulties soon.

Waking up early, be in time at school, sitting in the classroom, etc.

That´s why the start of a new school year generally makes us feel a bit nervous, especially those who are about to enter a new school. Who doesn’t have some butterflies in their stomach the night before classes begin, or when meeting the teacher for the very first time?

But along with that worry, September also offers the opportunity for a fresh start.

Actually, we can find a few good things about going back to school.  It´s nice to see your school friends again see your classmates and meet new ones.

It’s a lot easier to get out of bed and get to class if you have something motivating that is waiting for you e.g. a class that is interesting, a sport you love or activities you enjoy doing.

So, as the new school year begins, I hope all of you find new friends and activities that make you feel relaxed, comfortable and confident.

Have a great start at school… :)

Students deserve the best teachers – the importance of professional development in teaching

It´s still summer, but the teachers at our school are getting ready for the upcoming school year. They are all so enthusiastic about the beginning, and I am positive that they are looking forward to seeing their students and preparing some great ideas, fun activities and challenges for the new ones.

As language teachers we want to provide them the opportunity to improve their language skills, social and self-management skills, their research skills, and we try to provide that in the context of an inquiry-based experience.

In general, we want to be successful with students who are going to attend our school.

However, sometimes we feel uncertain if we do enough and could we do even more. After all if you´re feeling stale and routine, it will be difficult to engage a classroom full of teenagers on a daily basis.

I reckon that students deserve the best teacher.  A professional…

There is no doubt that the teaching profession require a lifelong learning perspective to adapt to fast changes and evolving constraints or needs, on teachers and their professional development.

For example, an English teacher might need to learn more about the content she's teaching. In addition, she might need other ways or alternative methods of teaching. She might also need to learn more about classroom management techniques, how to incorporate technology into her instruction, and how to better address the needs of language minority students or exceptional learners in her classroom.

Great teachers help create great students. In fact, research shows that an inspiring and informed teacher is the most important school-related factor influencing student achievement.

Personally I prefer online courses to real classes in terms of continuing professional development. It is the opportunity to get together with other teachers and sharing good practice in learning and teaching, brainstorm, swap ideas, and help each other out.

British Council launched free open online courses through a web portal named futurelearn.com.

I have already joined a course for English Teachers Professional Practices for English Language Teaching.

The course starts on 31 August. I am really looking forward to starting the course.

It’s time to open the window and refresh my mind!

Having fun, playing games, telling stories, jokes and much more...

Choosing appropriate activities, playing games, telling funny stories and jokes were my most important educational goals during our Summer English programme. 
Having fun, as a great motivator, was also a way how to engage students during the classes.

Focusing on humour as powerful instructional resource attracts attention and provokes thought, improves communication, smoothes difficult moments, develops a positive attitude and self-image, motivates and energizes, solves problems, has entertainment value, helps gain friends and much 
more.

Telling a joke...

Playing games...  

Retelling a story...

Summer English Programme at EDUCAnet Praha

During summer holidays we regularly run courses for foreign students who are intending to continue their further studies at our school or eager to enrol to universities in the Czech Republic.

We offer intensive courses of Czech language for foreign students. They may also choose from a series of lectures on an interesting range of subjects.

Essential part of summer classes is the English programme. Participants of the programme are placed at the appropriate level, from beginners to advanced. 

The lessons include a variety of interesting topics for lively discussion. These topics keep everybody interested – and talking English.

The participants are actively involved in the lessons. The lessons are dynamic, interactive and effective. Small class size for a personal teaching style is of great value to the students.

I was pleased to meet and teach a group of quick-witted girls from Kazakhstan.

                                            

Success comes to those who strive - an expedition to “The Prachov Rocks”, with DofE Award

The long awaited adventurous expedition to “The Prachov Rocks”, with DofE Award, took place from 24 to 25 June 2015, the very last days of the academic year.

We spent two days and a night in a breath-taking natural reservation in the Bohemian Paradise.

The most popular sandstone rock town is situated about 6 km northwest from Jičín.

On Wednesday morning we set off and headed for Jičín, the town of Czech fairy tales, and the town of a famous highwayman Rumcajs.

We went through Jinolice and finally reached our destination. It was a campsite called Eden, an appropriate designation for the place and its surroundings.
We enjoyed the beautiful nature, the crystal clean, fresh air and the luxury of being in the wilds.

The night was a bit chilly, but we were well prepared and survived...frankly, it was a real challenge.

The next and also our last day we climbed up the rocks. We strived to achieve our goal and we made it. 

It was an awesome experience.

Waiting for the bus to Jičín

Approaching the campsite EDEN

A really breathtaking view over the valley

Preparing food

                                

Camping gear

Our final destination

Making a fire

Shipwrecked sailors

The saved ones

The achievers on the rock

A man and his shadow

Being a teacher is a vocation rather than just a job

The summer has just begun spring blow the clouds away…not just in a song.

The academic school year ended the classrooms are empty and we feel a bit lonely at school.

As teachers, we are still at work looking back and evaluating our success and failures.

We are planning ahead the upcoming year.  

Definitely, we deserve some holidays too, but there are so many other things you could be doing that your work is never done. Where does the job end?

Teaching is an incredibly demanding and diverse job. It is inevitable to be committed to it and love it.

It´s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.

I really love my job even it has some bad bits too.  It has its ups and downs but on the whole it's fulfilling when you help students to leave school with good grades and know they have a future.

I enjoy engaging and motivating pupils to learn a foreign language helping them to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding of a different language and culture.

I encourage them to participate in the lessons actively and enjoy the learning process. 

Teaching is my passion and long-lasting career!

ACTIVE AND ENGAGED STUDENTS OF MINE

Getting started

Mingle activities

Problem solving

GET IT!

A Truly Extraordinary Afternoon

We were delighted to have an opportunity to meet Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex at Czernin Palace in Prague on Wednesday afternoon, 20 May 2015.

Her Royal Highness visited Prague to give Awards to the successful participants of The Duke of Edinburgh´s International Award (DofE).

From Tuesday, 19 May, HRH had a rich two-day programme prepared for her by the DofE and the British Embassy in Prague. 
The Countess met students and representatives of Czech schools and Patrons of the Award.

Our school EDUCAnet Praha, was represented at the ceremony by me, the coordinator, the chief of the programme, my great colleague Lenka Novotná, and three students Matyáš Kubů G1, Tomáš Půlpán G1 and Aarts Wayne G1, who actively participate in DofE programme, and effortfully work towards its fulfilment.

It was truly an extraordinary afternoon. We are aware of the fact that if we had not joined DofE, we would not have participated in such an exceptional event.

 Mattew

                                                     The Ceremony

 

                         Me with the boys