BEING A TEACHING ASSISTANT – MORE THAN “SUPPORT,” IT’S ABOUT CREATING QUALITY EDUCATION TOGETHER

 As a teaching assistant, you don’t just “help” the teacher – you are an essential part of making each lesson complete and more meaningful. Every task you do, no matter how small, contributes positively to students, teachers, and the learning environment.

I. Let’s explore the main responsibilities – where you can shine every day:

1. SUPPORTING TEACHERS – WORKING TOGETHER AND SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES

Finding and suggesting suitable materials:

You’ll collaborate with teachers to choose materials appropriate for students’ levels – especially for those learning English as a second language. With your own experience in learning foreign languages, you’ll easily spot areas where students need more support.

Printing materials:

Teaching assistants help print and photocopy needed documents – a small task, but one that saves teachers valuable time for lesson planning and other duties.

Classroom decoration:

If you enjoy creativity, this is your chance to shine – cutting, pasting, hanging student work, or decorating the classroom based on themes or the teacher’s direction.

Maintaining classroom order:

While the teacher is presenting, you’ll gently remind distracted students to stay focused, helping to maintain a positive and effective learning environment.

Supporting differentiated/personalized instruction:

Not all students learn at the same pace. You’ll help tailor lessons and exercises, monitor progress, and support students according to their individual needs – ensuring every child has a chance to grow.

Handling some administrative tasks:

From ordering supplies, preparing documents for field trips, to messaging parents when needed – you are a vital assistant making sure everything runs smoothly.

2. SUPPORTING STUDENTS – CARING, ACCOMPANYING, AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT

Helping with assignments/ school work

You’ll assist students who are struggling – whether they don’t understand the question, lack vocabulary, or are simply distracted. By knowing each student well, you’ll know who needs extra help and in which subjects.

Tip: Smart seating/ grouping arrangements:

You can arrange for students who need support to sit near each other, making it easier to monitor and reducing the need to move around too much during class.

3. CONTRIBUTING TO WHOLE-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES – PROACTIVE AND ENGAGED

Translating at parent meetings:

You may assist foreign teachers by translating during parent-teacher conferences – helping both sides understand each other better.

Supervising after-school hours:

You’ll help supervise students during late pick-ups or extracurricular activities – ensuring they are safe and cared for.

Event organization:

From Mid-Autumn Festival, Halloween, Lunar New Year, to concerts – you’ll help with decorations, welcoming parents, and guiding participants in an orderly and joyful manner.

Supporting other departments:

Whether it’s covering library books (especially at young schools), decorating the stage for events – teaching assistants are often the go-to helpers. Obviously, the list goes on.

Being a teaching assistant means learning every day, contributing through specific actions, and walking alongside students in their development journey. It’s a meaningful job – not just for others, but also for yourself.

II. A Few Tips for Effectively Supporting Students:

1. Don’t panic when foreign teachers speak with unfamiliar accents

Solution:

Stay calm and confident. Proactively train your listening skills with diverse accents on YouTube (search for “English accents around the world” or lessons from teachers from different countries). Once you're familiar with the variety, communication becomes much easier.

2. When students ask for new words – should you translate to Vietnamese right away?

Many new assistants instinctively translate immediately. However, this can lead students to become dependent and reduce their English thinking skills.

Solution:

Try these strategies to help students use their brains more and retain vocabulary longer:

- Use visuals/flashcards or real-life objects: Great for concrete nouns like apple, car, cat. Keep materials well-organized so they’re easy to access.

- Explain in simple English: Use dictionary-style definitions. Example: STAIR – “a set of steps built between two floors inside a building.”

- Use body language and facial expressions: E.g., to teach “nod,” simply nod your head.

- Place words in familiar contexts: For example, explain “medicine” using the sentence: “When you are sick, you take medicine to feel better.”

Note: Only translate into Vietnamese as a last resort, when no other method works.

3. Working with foreign teachers – being proactive is key

You should:

Check all equipment before class: projector, speakers, air conditioner, computer.

Be involved in the teacher’s lesson planning. Teaching assistants usually have access to the lesson materials – read them in advance to know what to expect and what support you can provide.

This proactive approach not only earns you respect but also ensures a smoother and more professional class.

4. Communicating with parents – don’t panic, be tactful

Though interactions are rare, when they happen, you must be both friendly and professional. When parents share something with you, always relay it to the homeroom teacher so both of you are informed. The teacher will then decide how to respond.

If a parent asks something you’re unsure about, respond:

"I will confirm this information and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible."

Never say: “I guess...” or “I think...” – this can cause misunderstandings and appear unprofessional.

Eg. If a parent asks about their child’s progress, discuss with the class teacher/ homeroom teacher first to get input:

Always begin with the student’s strengths. Gently suggest improvements without blaming or criticizing.

Example:

“Your child is very confident and has a good vocabulary. With more practice on pronunciation and grammar review, they will improve quickly. We hope you can support them in these two areas.”

5. Work attitude – be serious, humble, and unafraid to ask questions

Schools are not just places where students collaborate – assistants must, too. Polite communication and teamwork are essential.

Many new assistants hesitate to ask questions for fear of being judged. But remember: no one knows everything from the start. Ask questions to understand, do things right, and learn faster. If your school has a lead TA (head of TA) or other experienced assistants working with similar age groups, connect with them and learn from their experiences.