Archive for August, 2008

8:45 a.m. I switch on my mobile and I get an SMS from a friend
that a college is looking for teachers of English.
9:00 a.m. I drink my morning coffee and send my CV.
9:15 a.m. I get a call from the college. We arrange a meeting at 12.00.
I am officially employed at about 12.45.

YATTA!

Who: students of distance studies and two classes of evening students.
Distance students will attend for two weeks from time to time and
evening classes will be on Wednesdays 18.00-21.05. My grandma lives
across the street, too, so very convenient to sleep over.

Why: the pay is low but I have social security and will not need
to pay over 2,000Lt for that annually myself. I can still work freelance
or self-employed as I have time for that during mornings and afternoons. Plus,
they have many projects to take part in that result in higher pay and
exchange projects.

When: starting next Wedensday. On Monday there’s a reception for their staff.

A couple of calls and some new private students enrolled.

Not bad for one day.

OKay, so here are some things that happened in my life and which
I burn with desire to share.

First of all, the school year starts on the 1st September
(next Monday) and the demand for state school teachers
is evident. The magazine “Veidas” published statistics:
Sept.1 2006- full time teachers needed 398, part-time
teachers needed 594, Sept.1 2007- full time teachers needed 574,
part-time teachers needed 679. Over 2, 000 teachers
graduate from Vilnius pedagogical university but few go to
work in schools. As far as English teachers are concerned,
the same source states that a few years ago full and part-time teachers
of English needed were 171 and last year-208.

One reason to account (of so many!) is the fact that teacher
salaries are below the level of horror. A qualified (M.A.) senior
teacher of English with 15+ years of experience with 25 contact hours
per week (that amount to 36 paid hours that include preparation, exams,
correction, audit, term plans etc.) earns roughly 500 Euros net per month.
That’s 7 lessons 5 days a week, different classes of up to 18 kids.

Another amusing thing was an email I got a few days ago:
“Hi! I am from COMPANY NAME REMOVED. We would like to hire experienced
tutors/teachers on to teach others in your area. Here is how it will work. We
will hire you and try to find jobs for you. You will give us your rate per hour.
You will get to keep 80% of the money. We will keep the other 20% for our site
and staff needs. If you are interested, please reply as soon as possible. Thank
You.”

My reply was I’d rather find a job myself (given the demand for teachers, it’s easy,
the very problem is finding a job that is paid well)
and keep 100% to myself. Their reply was I lost a good deal of teaching online
and earning loads of money. I didn’t reply to that.

My private students are filling up bit by bit.

Okay, so here’s some briefing about my life for the past couple of days.
First, the complaint with the travelling company was placed. They
refused to refund but we agreed about a 15% discount for another
trip that doesn’t exceed 1,000Lt. I find it agreeable. I mean, you pay
cheap and you get cheap.
Second, I didn’t call back about my second job offer. I have my
private students filling times like noon and after, so I’d rather have
a long sleep than a couple of early lessons at that place. Yes, I’m a lazy cow,
that cannot be helped.
Third, I gave an advertisement in a newspaper but they put my email wrong.
I went to complain and got a free add next week, but made up that wrong email
account anyway. Yahoo rulez V.
Fourth, I ordered my Mom’s business cards. Had to go and complain two times
because they kept printing them with mistakes. On Monday they have to be ready
for the third time. Not much of use since it’s a teacher conference day.
Fifth, Lithuanian basketball team lost to Spain and now will meet
Argentina for the bronze medal. Hrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I updated my website. English version is under construction. I need
to work with the content first but I hope that interested parties can find me
via my blog. Moving onto a professional design is still on hold.

Here are some pics for you. Enjoy.

That’s an updated pic of my office.

Flowers at my aunt’s place

‘Bean’ the dog, enjoys car ride.

Vilnoja Stone Sculpure Park

Okay, so last week I had a horrendous trip and I’ve already
written a complaint. I hope to get half of the money back.
More info when I have it. But check out that photo here,
that’s Rundale castle, Latvia. It’s gorgeous!

Friday was our ‘Zoline’, the day when people go to church
with seeds, flowers, grass, etc. for the blessing that
will bring good harvest and good spirit. It’s a public
holiday, too.

I plan to run an advertising campain on the 20th. More info
when I have it.

A couple of weeks ago I was invited for a job interview at one
language school that mainly deals with teaching people at
government institutions. Last week I went to observe a lesson
and ws meant to give a demo one. I bolted.

The main reason I thought I’d give it a chance was
a work contract with social security. The very pay was low
indeed for 40 hours of work per week (22 lesson hours).

The person who was kind of a DoS at that place was
rather unwelcoming and a know-all smart you know what.
She was SO self-important! The lesson itself was a pitty
attempt to teach Intermediate students phrasal verbs using
Advanced Headway. There were five students in that group and
the lesson was 90min long, 30min of which they spent doing
tearful attempts of speaking about the Olympics.

I’d rather make the same money they offer with my private students
teaching them the material they are capable of doing.

I’m already pulling together a timetable for September.

I hate them.

Skipping the part about how useful they are for your own
development and quality control, they are a horrific waste of
paper and ink.

1. They serve well to compile compromising material on the teacher
and serve as a basis for denial in a higher salary.
2. They are given to people 99,95% of whom haven’t got the
foggiest idea what teaching per se is.
3. They are so badly formulated that students can show their
complete ignorance about the matter and clients are always right.
4. It’s just politics in many cases. Unless the feedback is bad, then
see point 1.
5. Students wants and needs are two different things but
the teacher is the only person in the world who realizes that.

Feel free to add.

Well, slowly but forward. I bought a monthly ticket to the gym and
it’s fantastic! I don’t like water but this time the pool is bearable and
the jakuzzi is an absolute must. Next week I will go to the training hall
and try to work out a bit. It’s a bit pity that yoga is at 7 p.m., a bit too
late for my taste.

I am planning to go to the cinema as much as I can. Today my Mom and me
went to see King Fu Panda. I also have three more films on my to see list.
I have just read that Keanu Reeves was offer a role of Spike in Cowboy Bebop,
which happens to be one of my favourite anime.

I’m also doing some office work (buying stuff,cleaning, etc.) and planning my
autumn timetable. Next weekend I am going on a coach trip Rundala-Riga-
Saaremaa islands -Tallinn. I just hope the weather stays the same!

News yes:
SUMMER BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And already getting calls from possible students about September.

News no:
1) obligatory pension installment rose by 30lt per month as from today.
2) annual inflation rate is 12%.