- In chapter 2 A.6 the HLT instructors‘ own integration into the immigration country has justifiably been described as a considerable challenge (separation from the home country, apartment hunting, orientation in the context of the school system and the society of the immigration country, etc.). Please exchange your experiences in this regard in groups of two or three and make a list with suggestions that might help a new colleague with the integration process.
- Please consider and discuss which were the most important challenges in the various phases of your daily work as HLT instructor (at the start of your career; after a few years; today) and which remain the most important ones for you today.
- Chapter 2 A.10 deals with country-specific concepts concerning classroom management, student involvement, student behavior and discipline. Have you had similar experiences yourself? How do you deal with student behaviors that are totally different from the student behaviors in your country of origin?
- It has been suggested repeatedly in this and other chapters, how important and helpful discussions with regular classroom teachers and reciprocal class visit with them may be. Please discuss your experiences in this regard with your HLT colleagues. What have you learned, how can you take advantage of positive experiences, and could you avoid negative ones?
- Consider in groups of two or three what you would like to learn from a regular classroom instructor (or from another representative of the local school system) or what you would like to see and discuss in a school visit. Create sort of a conversation guideline to that effect and make plans for a specific date for an interview or a visit.
- Chapter 2 A.5 describes some of the potentials and benefits of the HLT concept. Study and add to this list. Consider how you would describe and explain the potential and the advantages of HLT in a short presentation to skeptical parents or colleagues in the host country.
- Chapter 2 A.8 deals with homework assignments and the importance of inspiring and motivational assignments. Discuss how you personally deal with homework assignments. Plan at least two concrete, attractive potential assignments and proceed to implement them in the next three weeks.
- Please read once more the teachers‘ statements in chapter 2 B or the three biographies of HLT students. Exchange in a small group discussion what touched you or concerned you about them and why.