JOB APPLICATION
The journey from the first stage of job application, phone interview, orientation, assessment, and evaluation, all were quite tough. Considering the fact that I have not done this job, yet. The hardest part during this job application process was the Skype evaluation; the evaluator intentionally didn't use her camera, perhaps she wanted to see my reaction or check how I handle the scenario. I felt extremely nervous during the entire evaluation, but somewhat I managed to finish it which gave me another chance to do it again. Meaning I didn't pass the first evaluation, but I almost - one point to pass the test - I heard. To make the story short, I had to undergo the evaluation process once more, and this time, I passed!!!
FIRST CLASSES
I was afraid to open slots, and it took more than a week until I finally decided to do it. At first, I opened 4 slots in a day, I thought that was all I can do and continued just like that. I planned to open a maximum of 8 slots a day, and I successfully made it. Until the time when I heard that my colleague, who was pregnant at that time and busy looking after her first child, could open more than 20 slots, and I was like, wow!!! If she could make it why not me??? So, I tried opening 10, 12, and 15, until I made it to the point of opening 32 slots, fully booked!!! I became the top 1 (ranked one) teacher in our company. I was highly motivated, but I never thought of becoming one. I remember I placed a limit on myself, and my capacity, but I learned that if you want to succeed you have to overcome the obstacles and the challenges that you may encounter during the process.
More Stories:
How I managed to handle difficult students
How I overcome the challenges
What motivates me to continue doing my job
What gives me the energy and courage to create this online English conversation platform
What is my BIG WHY
HOW I MANAGED TO HANDLE DIFFICULT STUDENTS
Of course, it wasn't easy. For instance, when a new student requested no self-introduction, had no camera, and wrote on the "Special Remarks" to focus only on the conversation, not the mistakes; for Free Talk, I have no idea what kind of student and his or her preference. But the most critical part was when the student showed an incredibly bad attitude. Even though I couldn't see them but the tone of their voice was quite disturbing.
Despite these circumstances, I have to think, and convinced myself that this is my job, I need to understand that not everyone has the same characteristic or attitudes towards people. In another incident, the student requested strict corrections whenever mistakes occur, so, I was at ease with the student that there weren't any issues if I make some corrections, but I was completely wrong!!! The student reacted terribly when I attempted to check his mistakes. I was shocked, I cried silently, it was awkward to show them my tears, so, I continued teaching even though the student started yelling at me. I learned enormously day by day.
On August 11 and 13, 2021 - entry-level students (kids) booked my classes, they didn't understand even a single English word, the parents were around but not showing their faces on camera, but I could hear them murmuring in the background. To be honest, I am not good at entry-level students, unfortunately.
FYI, we (tutors) have "tags", that the teacher's expertise, and what we are good at teaching, for instance; the "advanced" tag, "kids", and "business" tags. But seem like the students or parents based their booking on the teacher's popularity, which is not supposed to be this way. And in the worst scenario, when they write their terrible feedback or give us just a 1-star rating. This is really unfair! They should choose teachers according to their tags, such as entry-level for kids if the kid is entry-level, just saying. On the other hand, there are also some kids at intermediate and even advanced levels - those who already lived in foreign countries such as the US, or the UK. Putting the blame on tutors is unreasonable, criticizing us is just so unfair.
HOW I OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES
Challenges never stopped me from teaching. The majority of my students are satisfied with the way I teach them. This motivates me to keep on with my job, in fact, I missed them whenever I took a couple of days off. I learned how to be more enthusiastic about my job. And appreciate the students who are continuously booking my classes. I focused on improving myself and being better. I learned how to see the positive side.
I really love this educational quote: "Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." Robert Frost
WHAT MOTIVATES ME TO CONTINUE DOING MY JOB
What motivates me to continue doing my job, despite all the challenges, are the students who are pleased with the way I treat and teach them. Besides, I learned not to focus on the negative. I have tons of reasons to keep what I am doing. I love my students and I love my job!!!
WHAT GIVES ME THE ENERGY AND COURAGE TO CREATE THIS ONLINE ENGLISH CONVERSATION PLATFORM
Yes, I love teaching and my students, but I am unhappy with other students (entry-level) or their parents' way of treating me. This unfair and terrible feedback as the worst teacher ever motivates me to create this platform.
Starting up my own online conversation school is my dream, my ideal way of teaching; is day-to-day conversation-like. By providing a natural way of conversation, the students are enhancing their English skills at the same time while enjoying and relaxing simultaneously.
I am motivated and dedicated and I always prioritize my work, and the quality of service I can give to my students.
WHAT IS MY BIG WHY or WHAT ARE MY BIG WHYs (I CREATED THIS ONLINE ENGLISH CONVERSATION PLATFORM)
MY BIG WHY? I believe that this platform will be the answer for students who use English at work, on business trips, in meetings, and whose jobs require the English language day-to-day; English communication a commonplace.
Another BIG WHY... some people need someone around when times get rough. Having no one in the time of hardships, or difficulties isn't an ideal scenario. That's the time you need us, someone, that you can count on, a person who's here to listen to whatever you want to share to loosen up. These whole things are beneficial to one's well-being.
Talkw/Ow's other BIG WHY is to provide jobs to those who are capable, eager, dedicated, and motivated to do this job. Coaching and providing care and support, emotionally.
A million thanks for visiting my blog. Please share your thoughts with your family, friends, and relatives. You can also leave a comment or "heart" to show your support. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Rowena C. Secretario, Founder of Talkwow
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