can sometimes improve the situation. Bottling it all up through some
misplaced sense of fortitude can be dangerous.49 Working as a part-time teacher
Many institutions rely on part-time staff to cover peak areas of demand or to give
flexibility as student numbers fluctuate. If you’re a part-timer, these tips aim to
help you to keep a level head while all around are losing theirs!
1 Learn to live with uncertainty. The advantage to the institution of part-
time staff is that you are flexible and cheap. You are likely to be asked to
step in at short notice to fill gaps, and you may not know what is expected of
you until the last minute in some institutions. Accepting this, and learning to
work in a permanently changing context, will make for an easier life, and
will bring its own benefits to you in terms of variety.
2 Look to the future. Many full-time posts go to people who have already
proved their worth as part-timers. If you’re hoping for a full-time post, it is
worth doing somewhat more than you may be required to, and winning
support from those around you.
3 Develop a range of flexible activities. Most teachers have standby series of
tasks and activities to give to learners when they are called upon at short
notice. Such tasks give you a breathing space in which to get to know the
learners and plan your teaching programme more strategically.
4 Find your way around the institution’s systems. You will probably have
to find out for yourself how to get photocopying done, how to use internal
and external communications systems, and what to do to get paid. Make a
checklist of questions to ask on your first day, and keep pestering people
until you get the answers you need to help you to do a good job.
5 Network with other part-timers. These are the people who are likely to
have a lot of the information you need, as they are in the same boat very
often. They can also provide you with good support when the going gets
tough.
6 Find yourself a full-time mentor. This may be the person that you report to,
or it may be another full-time member of staff, who will be able to keep you
updated on important institutional information. Such a person can help to
ensure that the part-time teacher’s perspective does not get forgotten.
7 Help colleagues keep in contact with you. Make sure that your home
phone, fax and e-mail details are available so you can be contacted when
needed urgently. Check internal post systems and pigeon holes regularly,
and ask a colleague to post mail home to you over any non-teaching periods.
It is easy for part-timers to get missed out if they are difficult to contact.
8 Fight for the right to file! Everyone needs space to keep records, store
learners’ work and file teaching materials. Part-timers often consider92 500 TIPS FOR TESOL