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Staffroom confidential

Teacher's tips

Last issue a recently qualified member asked for advice on finding a first teaching post.

Don't give up!

This situation struck a chord. It took me months to find my first post, and I was at the point of giving up when I was finally appointed. I have now been happily teaching for 12 years, so it really is worth persevering.

If you have a teaching friend I suggest asking them for advice about your application. There might be something on the form that is putting people off. You could also contact schools locally to see if you can gain experience - this will look good on your CV and demonstrate your commitment to the cause.

Theresa, West Sussex

Get involved

 Try to work with children, one way or another - it will boost your confidence. Even if you do office work in the week, maybe you could get involved with the age group you want to teach at weekends or in the evenings. Look on local tutor sites - you can sign up to most without paying a fee. When you work one-to-one it's still teaching and you will be planning and preparing. If you get some tutor work, you will be able to discuss this with enthusiasm at interview.

You can do voluntary work in schools if you have days off, or breaks between jobs. This will demonstrate your commitment to a teaching career.

Aliss, Merseyside

There's still time

Time is not running out to complete your NQT year as there is no time limit on starting or finishing induction. There used to be a five-year 'expectation', but that was abolished in 2007.

The only limitation is a 16-month (non-induction) supply allowance that counts down from your first day of supply teaching after gaining qualified teacher status. When that expires and you still haven't completed induction, you must either apply for an extension to each local authority (LA) where you wish to take up supply work or you must stop teaching in the state five to 16 sector until you secure a post lasting at least a term.

The restriction on NQTs taking supply work is becoming academic as short-term supply is becoming a thing of the past. Schools are using cover supervisors or teaching assistants as a way of saving money.

Name and address supplied

Next issue

I'm a Key Stage 2 teacher, currently on maternity leave with my first baby. I'd really like to take three or four years out, and I think we could just about scrape by on my husband's earnings and our savings, but I'm worried that it will be hard to get another job if I'm away from work for over a year. What do others think?

Penny, by email

A funny thing happened... in a foreign language

"Miss are you German?"

"No I'm from Basildon."

"Oh cool, is there is a place in Germany called Basildon too?"

"Sigh."

Sara, Essex

In Year 7's first lesson of German, I did my usual thing of writing my name on the board. As I wrote Frau Perkins, I overheard a boy say: "Oh, isn't that friendly of her, letting us know her first name as well?"

Jan, Leicestershire

I was conducting a GCSE French speaking exam with a boy from my class. I asked him to describe his ideal girlfriend. He said how tall she'd be and the colour of her eyes, and then "and she would have big... followed by a pause. But he saved me from any blushes by completing the sentence with "...hair. She would have big hair and a big heart". Ahhh! He went on to get an A.

Hilary, Bedfordshire

I was teaching GCSE Spanish in an FE college to a Year 12 class, most of whom had A*-C in French, but no formal grammar training. To cover my course in a year, so they could do A level in Year 13, I had to fast-track them through formal conjugations of verbs.

One exasperated student asked: "Why does Spanish have verb tenses when no other language does?"

Paula, Lancashire

When I was teaching in Japan, my parents came to visit. My mother had been learning Japanese. We had a party and my new friends came to meet my parents.

As in English, some Japanese words are quite similar, such as children (kodomo) and fruit (kudamono). My mother approached my Japanese host with a tray of fruit and asked her if she would like to eat some children!

Brett, by email

Next issue: A funny thing happened in the early years. Send your anecdotes by Monday 24 January.

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