'An opportunity to learn new things myself'
Lateral entry programme Dutch image: Hilke Hoogenboom
Sang-Ah Yoo is a freelance journalist and is following the lateral entry programme Dutch at ICLON Leiden University. She enjoys showing students what language can do for you.
Even if you have not studied Dutch, you can follow this Dutch teacher training programme. However, you must have a completed university master's degree that is sufficiently related to Dutch language and literature.
A dip into education
When Sang-Ah worked as a correspondent in Korea, she also taught English to adults and children. Back in the Netherlands, she taught cross-cultural management. ‘That's how I got started in education. I wanted to pass on my knowledge, but I didn't dare to dive in yet. Around the same time, two friends told me about the lateral entry programme at ICLON. I had already looked into what kind of teacher training I could do as a history student with writing experience. I thought the Dutch teacher training programme at the university of applied sciences was too long, as it takes four years.’
'I am good with language and can convey a message. I was not born in the Netherlands, but I have been able to make the language work for me. Perhaps I can convey that to secondary school pupils. Unfortunately, reality is stubborn. It's typical for a new teacher to think that pupils are waiting for you. They don't ask, “Please teach me the power of language!” But I want to show that anyone can do it.'
Kung fu film
Sang-Ah teaches at a school in a large city, with children from many different ethnic backgrounds. 'I didn't know what to expect. And maybe that was a good thing. My first class was 2 havo (year 10) with 24 boys. They thought, “Yeah, a new teacher”. I felt like an antelope among lions. It was like a kung fu film: everything in slow motion. What's going on here? Throwing things, still wearing their coats, one of them even lay down on the floor. They take the space you give them, and in the beginning I gave them all the space they wanted. It was tough, but I do miss them a little now. They were noisy, but also funny and open. What you see is what you get. My supervisor at school said right from the start: “You and the school have embarked on an adventure.” He knew that the pedagogical approach in particular would be a challenge. He wasn't wrong.’
Important to navigate well
‘The great thing about the programme at ICLON is that you gain knowledge and learn new things. For example, how to explain the different steps of reading comprehension. Now, after a year of teaching experience, all the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. You also benefit greatly from the stories of other students, how they approach things, their ideas and suggestions. You get a lot of support from the programme and the other students. Everyone tries to help you get to the end. It's a lot, even though it's really fun. You have to navigate well for two years.'
Special moments
‘I am now halfway through the programme and have to allow myself to be learning still. As a teacher, you are always facing a critical audience. Sometimes I have to laugh at funny, clever things the students say. When I see that someone understands, it is a special moment. For example, what a signal word or linking verb is. “Oh, so you mean...“ It's also nice when students say “we miss you” a year later. You need those moments, otherwise you can't keep going.
Staying on top of things in the classroom takes a lot of energy. ICLON gives you tools, but in practice you have to do it yourself. I would like to continue teaching upper school students to pass on my knowledge. I hope to spend less time on classroom management in upper school. And I think it would be fun to set up a book club or school newspaper, for example.
Are you unsure about this course? I would just go for it! When else will you get the chance to learn new things yourself? But don't underestimate it. Keep your focus on your goal: transferring knowledge to your students about what language can do for you.'