Random? sideline tutoring

Namaste Readers,

As most of you know, my food budget is tight.  In spite of this, I still splurge once in a while, and I know later that I'll pay a price for this "gluttony."  One day I was motivated to inquire about an English tutoring position at four Review Centers in the area ( in the hopes of making some income to create a Starbucks Fund ).  I was suprised to get a text from one of them to call them for details.  I was to report at their Review Center at 10:30 am the next day.

It was a spur of the moment and I knew how to talk about my various experiences ( practice from the millions of interviews I've attended ) so I didn't prepare much ( I was only going to be here until August anyway ).  I did try to review pedagogical jargon I've picked up from the recent articles I've read about ESL teaching in the secondary education level, and tried to find parallels from my own teaching.

This new approach for me didn't work so well.  While waiting to get called in the office, I got more nervous especially since 10:30 in Filipino time really meant 11:00.  When I entered the room, there were 3 of them ( not a surprise for me ).  Except one of them was just doodling, and the other 2 were going about it on the fly ( as if this was the first time they saw my resume ).

I spoke in English in the hopes of impressing them ( maybe that created a barrier ).  I talked about my 4 years experience in teaching and tutoring ( classroom and writing center experience ), and my part time availability.  They then asked about my background in teaching grammar and if I could explain the difference between TEFL and TOEFL.  I mentioned the importance of creating an atmosphere that motivates students to practice when Teaching English as a Foreign Language ( not relying solely on rote learning ).  I mentioned being flexible, adapting my approach with the materials and philosophy they provide me with.

At the end of the interview, they told me that they'd tell me about their decision by the end of the week.  I didn't get a good feeling.  For one, the nature of a Review Center conflicted with my own teaching outlook.  Whereas they focused on short-term results ( test and product oriented ), I focused on long-term ( process-oriented, meaningful, and applicable beyond the classroom ).  They also wanted somebody there full time and daily from 8 am to 8 pm to handle the regular walk-ins.  The whole thing might be a failure, but at least I got a story, and a reason to go to Starbucks afterwards.