Little Victories

~Roger

Here are some more common phrases you can use when giving directions in English:

• You can find it...
• It's located...
• It's on the corner of...
• It's across from...
• It's next to...
• It's behind...
• It's in front of...
• It's up the street...
• It's down the street...
• It's on the left...
• It's on the right...
• It's on the other side of the street...
• It's about a 10-minute walk...
• It's about a 5-minute drive...
• It's about a 15-minute bus ride...
• It's about a 20-minute train ride...

You can also use these phrases to give more specific directions:

• Take the elevator to the third floor.
• Go down the stairs to the first floor.
• Turn right at the next intersection.
• Keep walking until you reach the park.
• You'll see a sign for the library on your left.
• The train station is across the street from the hotel.
• The museum is located in the heart of the city.
• The park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Here are some common phrases you can use when giving directions in English:

• Go straight ahead.
• Turn left.
• Turn right.
• Go past.
• Cross the street.
• Take the first/second/third/etc. right/left.
• It's on your left/right.
• You'll see it in front of you.
• It's on the other side of the road.
• You're going the wrong way.

Here are some examples of how you can use these phrases to give directions:

• To get to the library, go straight ahead and turn left at the traffic lights. The library will be on your right.
• To get to the train station, take the first right out of this building and go straight ahead. The train station will be on your left after about two blocks.
• To get to the park, cross the street and go down the hill. The park will be on your left.

My teaching career started when I was a student. I had two types of teachers: those that inspired me, and those who did not. As a student, I wasn't aware of the techniques or pedagogy employed by either types of teachers. All I knew is that-for example, my high school history teacher Mr. Lindfors, made class magical.

Years later, at university, 'magic' became defined by terms like: SLOs, classroom management and scaffolding. These and many other best practices began to demystify my observation of my teachers, and my own teaching.

Today, throughout my MANY years of teaching college-level ESL full-time, I have engaged in this magical endeavor. 3 questions have surfaced, and have guided me. These questions are what I believe students are asking (consciously or unconsciously).

Students ask: 1. Do you know what you are talking about? 2. Can I trust you? 3. Do you care about me?

First, I need to continually learn about teaching, and through teaching, I have learned even more. Over the whole of my career I have attended and presented at over twenty-six teaching conferences. I regularly read publications, articles and online posts. I've published two books and a few other shorter works as well. I have written two new books, one nearly ready for publication, other i’m slowly grinding out.

Second, diligence is another key to teaching success. There are no shortcuts to giving meaningful and timely feedback. Moreover, backing up what you promise can really increase a student's trust in their teacher. Over the years, I have been able to deliver what I have promised in the classroom.

Number three is a tough one. How does one measure caring? I truly care for my students. This caring has been the strongest motivating factor for me maintaining the high level of care for my students- whether it's holding extra office hours, chatting before and after class, or even helping students with personal issues. Without this caring I would have changed careers years ago. I am not ashamed to speak of love as my most powerful teaching tool.

The global pandemic has upturned teachers, staff, and students everywhere. It has forced the hands of all to adapt and re-think what teaching and learning is. It was a truly energizing time for me as I wiped my desk clean (figuratively and metaphorically) to meet these demands. Today, I feel confident of this new era of teaching and learning, and I feel ready to face it head on with knowledge, diligence and yes, love.

~Roger