Alright! Listen up, Teaching Assistants (TAs)! What are some ‘symptoms’ of a difficult class for you? Students getting injured during activities? Yeah that’s bad. Piled up requests from teachers? Sounds overwhelming. Extra administrative paperwork? Tiring, isn’t it?
If you have encountered at least one of the three mentioned problems, then our new Teaching Tips series is for you! In our new series called ‘Teaching Tips for Teaching Assistants: Secrets to Overcoming Classroom Obstacles’, we will discuss some of the challenges TAs might encounter during their time at VUS and suggest ways to overcome such obstacles.
3S PRINCIPLE AT VUS - WHAT’S WITH THE TRIPLE Ss
TAs play an important role in VUS classrooms, supporting both students and teachers in their pursuit of academic excellence. At VUS, TAs are guided by the ‘3S’ principle:
- Students’ Safety
- Teacher Support
- Other Services
While this principle underpins the responsibilities of VUS TAs, their role is not without its challenges. In this article, we will explore some of the potential challenges that VUS TAs may encounter during their class time, all of which align with the 3S principle.
THE VERY 1ST CONCERN - RISKY GAMES FOR STUDENT SAFETY!
Being a Teaching Assistant is like being the safety superhero of the classroom! Picture this: you’ve got a group of eager young minds ready to learn, and teachers love spicing things up with thrilling activities. So, there’s this sneaky challenge of keeping students out of harm’s way while having a blast with action-packed games.
Take the game ‘Slap the Board’, for example. Sure, it’s a hoot, but it’s like juggling bananas on a unicycle—it can get chaotic! As a TA, you’ve got to be the safety inspector, spotting potential slip-ups, and swooping in to save the day before anyone gets hurt. It’s a real tightrope walk between making class exciting and keeping it accident-free, and that’s one task that VUS TAs must navigate effectively!
2ND CHALLENGE IS UP - REQUESTS FROM TEACHERS!
With the mission of making sure the class goes on without a hitch, TAs are like the ultimate support squad for teachers, tackling everything from managing classroom materials, assisting with technological tools, or providing individualized attention to students.
But hey, it’s not all fun and games. Sometimes, the requests start pouring in faster and suddenly, our TAs are juggling more tasks than a circus performer! With teachers beckoning from one corner and students needing attention from the other, this can be a daunting task. VUS TAs must manage their time efficiently and communicate effectively to strike a balance between helping teachers and catering to students’ needs.
3RD OBSTACLE COMING - EXTRA ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERWORK!
In the world of education, paperwork is the sneaky villain that always tries to steal the show! TAs often find themselves in this epic battle, trying to conquer mountains of assignments to be graded and reports to be maintained while also saving the day in the classroom. While these tasks are crucial for the smooth functioning of the classroom, they can be time-consuming and divert TAs’ attention from their primary roles.
Keeping up with paperwork while actively participating in the classroom can be challenging. TAs need to be masters of time management, wielding their organizational wands to get those reports in check without missing a beat in the classroom fun.
SECRET TO OVERCOMING CLASSROOM OBSTACLES
VUS Teaching Assistants adhere to the ‘3S’ principle, which places Students’ Safety, Teacher Support, and Other Services at the forefront of their roles. This principle covers the many responsibilities that TAs shoulder on their journey of making magic happen in the classroom, making their role indispensable. However, it also brings its share of challenges, such as managing risky games for student safety, responding to requests from teachers, and handling paperwork.
Here are some game-changing tips to conquer them like a pro.
THE VERY 1ST CONCERN - RISKY GAMES FOR STUDENT SAFETY!
Ever played the safety card in class? TAs, you’re the guardians of the learning realm! Teachers may unleash daring games, but you’re the safety superheroes. Dive into the action and suggest tweaks to keep it safe and sensational. As you become the classroom maestro, you’ll ace the art of balancing fun and safety. Teamwork makes the dream work, so speak up! If things get dicey, the campus Teaching Quality Manager is your hotline to heroism.
2ND CHALLENGE IS UP - REQUESTS FROM TEACHERS!
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: support the teacher! Be the ace up their sleeve, whether it’s rocking a roleplay or decoding student strengths and weaknesses. But wait, don’t get caught in the teacher trap. Your job? To assist, not replace. If they’re pushing you to the frontlines, hit pause. Remember, you’re the TA, not the lead actor. Need backup? Teacher Care or Admission Student Affair to the rescue!
3RD OBSTACLE COMING - EXTRA ADMINISTRATIVE PAPERWORK!
Get ready for paperwork wars, TAs! Beyond student sidekick duties, you’re the paperwork warrior. Grading, reports – it’s a paperwork party! Time is your ally. Find those golden moments to conquer tasks, like a weekly warm-up routine. Pro tip: enlist Superkids to self-tick homework, saving you time for TA triumphs.
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⭐ For the best English teaching job in Vietnam, look no further than VUS, the leader in English Language Teaching (ELT) in Vietnam with:
🔷 30 years of experience
🔷 80+ NEAS certified campuses nationwide
🔷 77,000+ students at all levels
🔷 2,700+ dedicated teachers and teaching assistants
Start your journey with VUS today by applying at:
🌏 https://teach.vus.edu.vn/
