Teaching EFL in Malta

Here's the good news: On Monday, I started working in the language school that hired me. And I discovered that the toilets work very well; in the school where I was trained to teach English, the toilets wouldn't flush. And the other teachers are very helpful and friendly. I haven't seen any students yet. My boss (called the Director of Studies--DOS) is giving me time to plan my lessons. And my school is close enough to my house to be able to go home for lunch.

Here's the bad news: On Monday, I started working in the language school that hired me. Monday is the worst day in a language school, especially for the DOS--and anyone having to ask the DOS a question--such as a new, frightened teacher (me).

Why?

Because on Mondays--every Monday--there is a slew of new, desperate language students who cram the office of the DOS, trying to find out who their teacher is, where their classroom is, why their teacher has been changed from the week before, if they can switch to a higher level, if they get their teacher fired, things like that.

So when I went in on Monday and stood like a puppy dog, waiting among the students for my moment with the DOS, I had a moment of absolute clarity: don't talk to the DOS on Mondays. And how did I come to this conclusion? Was it a thought that just magically entered my mind?

Not exactly. It helped that my DOS said to me, "I'm sorry. I don't have time for you this morning." It doesn't matter that it was my first day as a "teacher." I broke a rule which I won't break again: I tried to talk to the DOS on a Monday.

Listen, I learn quickly. And the proof is that today, Tuesday, my DOS asked how I was doing and if I needed any help. I thanked her and said that, actually, I did need some help with something.

And she said, I'm sorry, but I don't have time to talk to you this morning. But that's OK. I should have known better. After all, it's Tuesday--the day after Monday. And you don't talk to your DOS on Monday.

I have since learned that Thursday is the one day you can approach the DOS. Another teacher told me that Thursday is past the stress of the beginning of the week-and still before Friday-when the DOS starts to plan the next stress-filled week.

So Thursday it is. Wish me luck.

Ilene Springer is author of An-American-in Malta.com.