Elaine is PCET Networks FE Champion this month!

FE CHAMPIONS June 2006

Elaine Gates

Biography

Elaine is currently working as an ESOL and Literacy tutor in an FE College. She has been teaching, in this sector, since 2003. Her move into ESOL and Literacy followed a successful 2 years teaching EFL in Poland.

Elaine fell into teaching by accident – having completed her A-Levels, she wanted to travel but couldn’t afford to go with VSO or Gap Year. At the same time her boyfriend (now husband) was leaving to teach EFL in Warsaw, and so she made the decision to complete a four week intensive TEFL course and jet off to Poland with him! Her wish to travel had been achieved with the added bonus of earning her first wage!

She found that she had a passion for teaching teenagers and adults. After returning to the UK, she began working with a private training provider teaching ESOL and she was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to study for her Level 4 PGCE/ Cert Ed and her City & Guilds Level 4 Literacy Subject Specialism course. She completed both of these courses whilst teaching literacy full time, which Elaine would not recommend!

After successfully passing both courses, Elaine was promoted to ESOL/ Literacy Champion with her employer. 

Interview

PCET Network: Why teach Adults?

Elaine:     Well, where do I start! Adults offer so much more, in my opinion. There is an
                opportunity to use humour in lessons which add extra spice and enjoyment
                for both student and tutor, and class debates can be much more interesting as
                each student has his or her own experiences, well developed beliefs and can
                add something of their personality to the lesson and it is this diversity which is
                my favourite part of teaching adults- you never really know what’s coming
                next!

PCET Network: What would you say to someone who is thinking about pursuing an
FE career?

Elaine:     You are likely to work long hours! Although it’s not a 9 to 5, the most
                challenging part of the job is working with some very disillusioned learners
                with a wide range of difficulties and attitudes that can sometimes be
                difficult to deal with. If you have a real passion for people and you are self
                motivated with an abundance of energy – then there is no job more rewarding
                or satisfying!

PCET Network: Have you got any good advice you wish to share with other FE
                Tutors?

Elaine:     My advice to Tutors in FE is really just to remember that adult learners are
                adults first and learners second. It is very tempting, especially with pre-
                entry learners to fall into an “old school teacher” mode, where you risk (no
                matter how innocently) slipping into treating them like children. I have found
                that being upfront, honest and consistent with learners – even the most
                disruptive learners – has helped me to build a rapport based on trust and this
                is invaluable in so many ways. You will have their respect, loyalty and most
                importantly, those disruptive learners will turn from being your worst
                nightmare to the most powerful driving force in your lesson with the ability to
                motivate others in the class in ways which maybe you wouldn’t be able to.

When Elaine is not lesson planning or teaching a large class of students, she enjoys surfing the internet, walking and horse riding. Her biggest pastime is socialising with her friends and colleagues. She has a passion for travel and experiencing new cultures, which within her field of work, she gets to do most of the time!

PCET Network is pleased to introduce Elaine Gates as the PCET Network FE Champion for June 2006.