Teaching practice today

The day-to-day complexities of teaching in real South African classrooms are challenging for novice or beginner teachers. Although new teachers are equipped with knowledge and competencies from their years of study, often there is a gap between what they know and applying their knowledge in a "real" classroom.

Practical guidelines for novice teachers provides an important resource for novice or beginner teachers in that it bridges some of these theory-practice gaps and aims at providing teachers with skills to remain motivated, professional and successful during their first years in the classroom. Written by experienced teachers who talk new teachers through the various critical aspects of teaching, the advice is practical and based on real classroom experiences. This book tackles a wide range of aspects that are not always covered in other books for new teachers, such as African perspectives to teaching, how to look after your finances as a teacher, dealing with sensitive curriculum topics, and more.

The book provides guidance and hands-on information for dealing with:

• Teaching as a career in South Africa - what does it really entail?

• You as a new professional - what does this mean, how does it change your identity and how do you look after yourself?

• Our learners - how to deal with the diversity of learning styles, temperaments and behaviours in one classroom

• Classroom matters - from surviving the first day to making your own inexpensive resources

• Beyond the curriculum - from coaching to organizing a school function 

• Tips from top teachers in real classroom