Preparing to teach English as a foreign language includes trying to prevent spelling errors; here are some of the things I do to prevent making mistakes.
One of the things that I have learned as I have been teaching English as a foreign Language is that any lesson goes much better if I have prepared for it properly. While each lesson is different than others, they are alike in that planning and preparation contribute greatly to its success. The lesson plan is only one aspect of the groundwork; a lesson plan is invaluable and helps to structure the lesson and to keep it focused and on point. Not everything can be planned, but some events can be anticipated. I try to imagine questions that are likely to be asked and come up with definitions and examples for words that I feel will be new. I also review the material to guard against making spelling errors. Just like writing a research paper, a lot must go into planning a lesson.
In truth, I feel that my spelling is above average when compared with other native English writers, but I also feel that any spelling error is a problem, especially when I am teaching. I always want to project an air of competence and professionalism, and if I make a spelling mistake in front of a class of students, I feel it diminishes my standing. More importantly, as a teacher of English, I feel that I have an obligation to practice my craft to the utmost of my ability, and proper spelling, grammar and punctuation are all tools of my trade. I have several methods to limit my spelling mistakes that include preparation, research, and my cell phone.
My first line of defense against making spelling errors is to prepare my lessons. While doing so, I try to anticipate words that may come up during the lesson, so that I can look them up and include them in my teaching notes. I use Google Sheets, so that I can access the material electronically during the lesson as I write material on a whiteboard or refer to it as I am introducing vocabulary. I also like to store content such as news articles or essays online for use anytime I need them.
As I prepare my lessons, I also try to anticipate student questions that may come up during the lesson. I will use Wikipedia or other reference materials to familiarize myself with this information. I put this information into my teaching notes, as well. These two steps allow me to correct potential mistakes before I have a chance to make them. I like to present information about American history, culture, or politics at times during my lessons. Many of my students will Google things as I am discussing them, or use translation software to assist them, and they will catch me if I make an error! I am still embarrassed about misspelling "entrepreneur" during one lesson about six months ago. I try to put the same effort into my lessons as I did writing term papers.
Obviously, I cannot prepare for every contingency, and words come up that I am not familiar with during the course of lessons. I keep my phone nearby, to have access to my notes, and so it is usually possible to look up a word quickly if I am not sure how to spell it. I can usually do it quickly enough by typing the word into an email or an application that has an autocomplete function, as the word will be suggested before I have to actually Google it.
I am committed to trying to minimize my errors while I teach as much as possible. I like to think that I represent my profession, and the English language, competently. When I post something to my Facebook group, I am careful to proofread what I write, as that is a reflection of my teaching. I like everything that I write to look professional. The greatest opportunity to prevent spelling errors, though, is the time spent preparing for lessons. This also has the benefit of familiarizing myself with the material that I will present, so that I am more confident during the lesson. Electronic assistance is very convenient. I rely on digital content, mobile electronics and cloud storage a great deal. I prefer to not have to rely on these tools during the actual lesson any more than I must, however. I try to live by the motto "proper preparation prevents poor performance", and this is especially true when teaching English.
