First day at the centre

On Monday we went to the Centre of Language Services to meet Dr. Jamil, Manager of the Community Language Services in Mount Pleasant Junior School, Southampton. We were there to register ourselves and hand in our CRB (crime record bureau) forms which I do need to re-submit because I didn't have enough proofs of address then! They should have at least stated clearly the requirements so that we'll know what to bring. Anyway, the technical stuff didn't take much time and fuss. The excitement came later when we sat with Dr. Jamil for what we thought was going to be a short meeting yet became a really long one.

We requested some teaching materials for the students and teachers from the centre, hence Dr. Jamil had to check the list before giving his approval and gave us a few useful tips on handling the tightly-budgeted resources. He also clarified about the training sessions that we'll undergo later this year InshaAllah. At the moment, as he stated, we are considered 'untrained' until we complete the teacher's training. One of us asked whether our MAs and PhDs will be put into consideration (most of us are tutors and lecturers studying for a further degree) and with a big smile he answered, "You can use those if you're teaching in the university but in this country if you're going to teach children you'll need a special training and those degrees do not count" (to be considered trained) hehehe. We had a great laugh at that. Well it's true. Teaching children and adults or even teens are different. They communicate differently, perceive differently and they are even naughty in really different senses huhuhu. I'm looking forward to join the training sessions as I've put my registration for the childcare courses on hold.

We brought back some materials from the centre. Coloured pencils and papers, scissors, tapes, exercise books, cards and so many other things. We even got a teacher's pack each. It feels like going back to kindergarten seeing all those things, only this time we're no longer those little cuties singing ABC hehehe.

I'm surprised to learn that the centre will be providing us with materials and help in preparing lessons. Well, that's why we've been registered under the centre. We can come to the centre for advice and preparation and use the facilities there. Doesn't that sounds nice?