By Ty Mussack, Program Coordinator at OC
Meet teacher Shane.
Q: How long have you been working at Language Systems and what do you mostly teach?
A:I’ve been working at Language Systems – Orange County for over 10 years now. I mostly teach grammar in the mornings, and then in the afternoon I teach the conversation program.
Q: Do you like teaching grammar? If so, why?
A: Yeah, I like teaching grammar. I want to help students avoid making mistakes. I don’t want my students to be misunderstood when they speak English with Americans.
Q: Some students think grammar is boring, how do you make your classes interesting, or is it “interested?”
A: Or course the correct word is “interesting.” I try to relate the grammar we are studying to their real life. I try to make it practical and show them how they can use grammar in everyday life. I also like to tell stories and joke around with my students. It helps keep the class fun for them.
Q: What aspects of English grammar do a lot of students have trouble with?
A: Well, they have a hard time using articles like “a/an” and “the.” Personal pronouns are also hard for them. They mix up “he/she” and “his/her.” Even though I teach grammar, I still try to help them improve their pronunciation because English pronunciation is pretty difficult too.
Q: When you are not at work, say on Saturday night hanging out with your family or friends, do you think about English grammar?
A: No, not at all… not at all! Actually, when I’m off work I talk like a caveman. My students would have to cover their ears too, because I tend to use a four-letter word every now and then.
