Well it seems I've settled in to the swing of things a bit here. I have a diet that consists of anything that's not beans (thank God for peanut butter/rice/eggs/bread), I've hung out more with the other teachers, gotten quite a bit of marking done, and I've even adjusted pretty well to the temperature. The latter of course has something to do with it slowly becoming "winter" down here, which is actually quite funny. Basically, we had our first day of it being probably 20-25 (such a relief!) and kids were wearing jackets and toques at school! HAH! The other teachers and I had a good laugh about that one.
I've started going for runs with Tobbie, Melanie (the couple from Australia) and Anita (a teacher from New Jersey), and Tobbie and I have a pretty nice route - it's great to have someone to run with! I've hung out with the other teachers a bunch more, and I've even gotten to know some of the teachers from the other school in the village (Saint Jeronimo School).
As for teaching, it's a whole lot of fun! I'm helping out with grade 1 (and sometimes grade 6) in the morning when the grade 3's have spanish, and then I'm with the grade 3's from 8:45 to 2:10, when school ends. I'm getting used to how things go, and I've got more of a routine now.
ok, funny story: we've been reading a lot of things aloud in class this week, to help the kids work on reading those tough english words like "shout" and "Excitedly". It's really funny doing "repeat after me" type things, because some of the kids don't get when to stop repeating what I say. The best is when someone isn't paying attention when we're doing it, so I'll call out their name...This is how it happened the first time:
"Ok, repeat after me: Shout" (in thick spanish accents): "SHOUT!"
"shout." (getting the pronounciation slightly better): "SHOUT!"
"...Yolanda!" (31 kids turn and face Yolanda): "YOLANDA!!!" (Yolanda almost jumps out of her seat).
I start laughing...the class starts laughing, we all have a good laugh.
oh man, good times.
peace.
1 comment:
hey tim!
sounds like you fit right in and have found a nice groove. well done! i am so happy that things are going so well for you. could i possibly be witnessing an english teacher in the making? hmmm :)
take care of yourself and keep posting. you're a great writer!
talk soon
aggie
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