Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Teaching.... not so bad.

So, yesterday was my second mini lesson. It was way better than the first one. This was a vocabulary lesson, and we got to pick the topic. I decided it was time for my Peruvian friends to learn about football.... American style. I only had 20 minutes, so I was limited to about 4-5 words. I assumed they knew NOTHING about football, so we went super simple: helmet, shoulder pads, field, football and the possibility of also needing to teach "to protect" (but it turned out they knew that one already - which was what I was hoping for).

I was the last one in our group to go and since we observe everyone else, I had heard one of the students mention that he liked to play soccer. This was the perfect lead in for me. As we've been taught, I wrote my name and our objective "Football Vocabulary" on the board. Before I even finished writing "vocabulary," the same student was saying, "Wait! Football like soccer, or football like you watch in the United States?" (The student happens to be one of the security guards at the school and knows us all, so I had to give him a hard time.) "I'm talking about real football." Lots of laughing and poking fun ensued.

The lesson went great! All the stuff that I sucked at last time, I pretty much fixed this time, a couple slip ups, but HUGELY improved. Pretty much nothing but praise from the teacher this time. She, of course, still gave me a couple things to work on, but from the teaching technique aspect... I totally rocked it!!! YAY!!!!!!!! (of course, it's easy to be awesome when you're teaching football).

Today we went back to grammar! I'm living on the glory of yesterday's lesson because I'm terrified of Friday's lesson. Yes.... I have to teach grammar!! I haven't picked my subject yet, but I'm leaning towards comparative and superlative adjectives. I also have a grammar paper due on Friday, which might be more terrifying than teaching grammar. On the plus side, tomorrow is the last day we are working on grammar in class. I think after that we move on to using games to teach... MUCH better than grammar. Thursday we meet with the teacher we will be teaching for next week.

Monday starts our practical teaching week and we will be teaching real, paying, clients. We basically just take over one of the classes that is currently being taught at Maximo. So we have the same students, at the same time, everyday for one week. Our teacher will be there (not the person who usually teaches the class, but our TEFL instructor), but strictly for observation. We picked our classes today, and I'll be teaching Basico 2 (this is month 2 of the basic level, so while the ages of the students will be 16 year and up, they are all language babies.) I'm really excited. This is actually the level I wanted and the regular teacher is someone I observed last week. I thought he did a great job and I'm sure he'll be helpful in our meeting on Thursday. He just finished TEFL a couple months ago here, so he knows exactly what they will be looking for in observations.

Also, I ran into the Security Guard Student several times today and I'm slowly explaining important terms like quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end, and because he is confused about how the average person plays football - two-hand touch and flag football. He likes to give me a hard time about liking "United States Football" so while he was giving my a hard time I decided he need to learn another new word, and told him he was a "hott mess". HEHE!!! I crack myself up!!

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posted at 8:39 PM   ::   1 comments

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Grammar - uggggghhhhh!

Today was the worst TEFL day ever. We started grammar. In high school I took an English class from a grammar pirate. We took the test and I did miserably. It counted for a large portion of our grade for the grading period, so if we did poorly we were given the opportunity to retake the exact same test one week later. During that week the teacher stayed after school every day for 2 hours to work with us. I went everyday. I took the test again... and did WORSE!!! Me + grammar = disaster. We spent the ENTIRE class today on grammar, and Tuesday and Wednesday will be the same (today and Monday are teaching days).


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posted at 9:00 PM   ::   4 comments

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Quechu-what?!?!

Super awesome day of class!!! Most of it was just standard class time, but after lunch, the tables were turned. Most people in the class speak some Spanish, some of us more than others. All of keep wondering what it is like that VERY first day when a student walks into an English class. They know NOTHING, and we're not allowed to use Spanish to help them. How does that work? Today we found, but from the student's perspective.

This afternoon we had about a one hour Quechua lesson. Quechua is a native language used in some areas of Peru. (Many of the people we met last weekend in Lake Titicaca spoke Quechua). That was certainly a fascinating hour!! I didn't learn Spanish using the same method we use to teach English, so this was truly a new experience. The teacher came in and just started speaking Quechua. I had no idea what he was saying! Couldn't really tell where one word stopped and the other started, but he seemed excited to teach us! Within the hour he had us asking one another "What's your name?" "Where are you from?" and "How are you?" AND RESPONDING!! Now.. I don't really remember any of it, but I could probably go back to my notes and get some words flowing. It was SO much fun and very insightful! I'm glad there is little to no chance that I will teach a beginner class anytime soon, but it was really interesting to get a feel for what the students feel like on that first day. WOW!!!

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posted at 5:25 PM   ::   2 comments

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A TEFL Day

Today was a loooong day, I don't think they are going to be getting shorter anytime soon. Class only goes from 9-4, but there is so much other stuff to do. Writing up the formal lesson plan and post-class notes for last week's class, preparing for Monday's class (my students will be learning about football -American Style!!!), observing 5 other teachers and writing the 5 corresponding papers, and of course just the daily reading assignments.

We actually had a workshop in class today, which was fun. These are different than our mini-lessons where we have to have a lesson plan and are teaching on our own (sink or swim) for 20 minutes. Today we had students come in again, but we were just working vocabulary. We each picked a word (charades style) out of cup and then had to teach it and concept check it. The whole class was there and could actually help out if we got stuck. I lucked out and got the word "hungry" which was pretty easy. It was really fun though. I wish we could of have done a few more words. I found myself catching my mistakes the first time I made them, and quickly adjusting. Still, I feel like I need a lot more practice to stop my stupid "echo-ing" habit. (In my defense, everyone does it, some of the teachers I've observed did it, and the teacher said it is very common). I just wish I had more time to practice before we start our practical teaching... two weeks from yesterday!

After class I started working on my plans for Monday's lesson. It will be a vocabulary lesson. I'll be teaching a few football related words like helmet, field, football, shoulder pads and protect. Kinda silly but should be fun. The students that come are really sharp and always have good questions and seem genuinely interested. I think they will enjoy the lesson.

I went down to the common area and started writing up the first of my observation papers. It's funny, now that we've been in the school a few days, the English students have seen us observing and some have come to the mini-lessons, they recognize us as "teachers" and have no problem asking for help when they are studying. As I was typing up my paper a guy I had never seen before leaned across the table and asked me for help understanding some words. It was kinda cool. While I wasn't using TEFL sanctioned methods to help, I also decided not to just translate the words for him. I had to laugh because after trying to describe the word "slum" to him I watched him write "barrio." Can't really argue!

Now I'm back at the house watching The Fighter with a couple of housemates. Should probably be reading or writing or planning... but my brain needs a break!

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posted at 8:24 PM   ::   0 comments

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Settled in - and off we go!

Wow! What a whirlwind couple of days. No sign of it slowing down anytime soon either. Wednesday morning we had our orientation, followed by about 2-3 hours of class, lunch, and a city tour. Class was actually pretty fun. We have a GREAT group. 9 in total. The teacher is really great too. You can tell that she really wants us to not only enjoy the course, but be successful.

We have a pretty diverse group. And I’m NOT the oldest one taking the course. Somehow we ended up with 2 people from Kansas and one from Kansas City, MO. Talk about random. At least two people are relocating to Peru and taking the course to help find a job (sounds familiar). We have an Aussie girl whose accent of course is awesome. She’s also a chef and has promised to make us all dinner for “graduation.” One guy is originally from Peru, lived most of his life in Oregon as an attorney and has come back to Peru to teach.

The city tour was pretty awesome, except that I thought it was going to be mostly a bus tour and wore new shoes… there was much more walking involved than I thought and I got blisters on my heels, but it was worth it. Cusco is beautiful. I will post pictures I promise, as soon as I have a chance to take some. I have figured out how to get from my house to school and back by foot and by cab. (If you know me, you know this is pretty impressive given I have NO sense of direction).

Today’s class was really good. It’s kinda crazy though. Many things are the opposite of what you think they should be. Teaching usually involves “lecturing” or “explaining.” The number one rule of ESL is “No explaining.” Which does actually make sense, because the people you are teaching don’t know English. The goal for a 1st year class is that the students actually do at least 60% of the talking in each class. 2nd year that goes up to 80%. We also are not allowed to translate, even if we know the word in the other language. Apparently in places like Korea and China they will sometimes record your classes and if you are caught using anything other than English, your job could be in jeopardy.

I do FINALLY know what my schedule is like. Tuesday through Thursday I have class from 9am – 4pm with one hour for lunch. Monday’s and Friday’s I will either have off or have to teach (I teach tomorrow and have Monday off. But that switches next week so I will have Friday off and teach Monday. So next week I technically only have 3 days of class.) Of course, I also have to observe 5 of the teachers currently teaching at the school and write a paper after each observation. I’ll also have a grammar paper to write (TERRIFYING!) and the last week I will still be attending classes on a regular schedule, but also teaching a one hour class everyday.

Today we got our assignment for our first teaching lesson. We are to teach the class to do something. Only 20 minutes, so, simple tasks. Our teacher did an example lesson today and taught us how to do the Hokey Pokey. I will be teaching the students how to make the most lame trail mix ever (peanuts, raisins and M&Ms). We’ll see how it goes. The worst that can happen is I suck, but at the end they have a snack. There will be 10 students in the class and they are high basic level English students. And again, no Spanish, and they do 60% of the talking.

The teacher and half my class will also be there, but strictly as observers. The other 4 class members that will be there will also do 20 minute lessons. When we have all taught, the students will leave and we will get feedback. Feedback will be directed individually, but given in a group setting. The feedback will not affect our grade in the class but is meant to help prepare us for our week of practical teaching.

I will likely not have internet for the next few days (starting Friday evening until Monday afternoon) because I am traveling to Lake Titicaca. More on that later. Now, to bed, gotta be on my game tomorrow.

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posted at 11:03 PM   ::   4 comments

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Welcome to Cusco

So yesterday I got to the airport the required THREE HOURS ahead of time. I paid my airport taxes and went to check in and the guy seemed really confused. He asked me if I had already checked in because the computer was saying something weird. I started to get a little concerned and then a woman came over and explained that my flight (originally set to go from San Jose to El Salvador, El Salvador to Lima, and then in the morning Lima to Cusco) was overbooked and they were looking for volunteers to take the direct to Lima flight that was leaving in 45 minutes. I quickly pondered the idea of 5 less hours on a plane and said, “Um, yes, I’d like to do that please!”

The nice woman rebooked me and called down to the plane to let them know I was coming. She handed me my ticket explaining that they would start boarding any minute, that I was at gate blahblah and “Oh, it looks like you’re in business class.” SCORE! I clear security in record time, stop to buy a coke and head to the gate. I settle into my large, cushy, ample leg room seat and immediately the flight attendant is asking if I would like something to drink. It just got better from there. Instead of a tiny bag of peanuts, I got assorted nuts that had been warmed and were served in a lovely ceramic bowl. I was given two options for my meal, which was served in real dishes with real silverware. And had a choice of desserts too!!! THAT is the way to travel.

I made it to Lima, changed some money and then found a pay to call the school’s travel office. Originally I had planned to hang in the Lima airport for the evening, but since I got there so much earlier, I had the school book me a room and caught a taxi to the hotel. The room was adorably tiny, but pretty perfect for what I needed for the night. Oh and the door used an actual key… not a key card!

I spent most my time in the restaurant where there was free wifi. I went out and walked around for a bit to kill some time. Decided to pop into a casino… I mean when the “penny” slots are actually 1 sole slots (about 1/3 of a cent) you gotta give it a shot! I came out up about 3 soles, BIG WINNER!

I headed back to the hotel, got some dinner, and stayed up too late skype-ing with some friends. My alarm went off at 3am and I stumbled into the shower and then headed to the airport. Did not have as good of luck with this flight. No window seats, which was tragic because what I could see around the 11ish year old boy (who thought the appropriate way to get in and out from his window seat was just to climb over me, rather than wait for me to move) sitting by the window was beautiful!

Landing in Cusco is something everyone should experience in their life. First of all, I’m pretty sure that the plane continues climbing for the entire hour flight from Lima to Cusco. Even when the pilot came on and said we were going to be landing soon, I’m pretty sure we were still going up! Eventually the pilot began taking a series of VERY sharp left turns (suddenly my view out of the window on the other side of the plane was awesome!!) We finally straighten out and I can feel the plane actually descending, though from what I can see we are completely surrounded by houses with nothing resembling an airport in sight (of course if that damn kid would sit still I would be able to see more!). We touch down and I swear come to stop within the distance of about a football (yes American football… haven’t been down here that long!) I make it off the plane (though the kid had to climb over me one more time, because it wasn’t good enough to just stand and wait in our row, he needed to move back one row with the rest of his family) and stood around for a while waiting to be picked up. I couldn’t find the guy (though apparently he was there) so eventually took a cab to the school.

They gave me a quick little tour and when the guy I couldn’t find at the airport got back to the school he brought me to the house. The house is about 5 minutes from the school by cab, or about a 20 minutes walk (I’m told). I think I’ve met everyone who is currently living in the house now. I think I’m the only one here for the TEFL course. Everyone else seems to be with the volunteer program (there are a few working in a orphanage, one teaching a class at a community center, and several volunteering at a medical clinic). Everyone else has been here about a week or longer, which is nice because they are kindly helping me out with important information – like how to get a hot shower! I have two roommates and am sleeping on a top bunk (awesome!). All together I think there are around 12 people living here, not including the staff (housekeepers and a cook – not sure if they live here or not).

We have wifi downstairs, a nice tv and a library of dvds. (One girl recently started watching Modern Family on DVD and because it’s a cloudy, rainy, chilly day most of the house joined in for at least portions of a short marathon). Everyone’s schedules are a little different because we aren’t all doing the same thing.

My orientation is tomorrow morning at 9am and then we have a city tour in the afternoon. There are two other “family houses” (hostel style) in town, so I’m assuming some of the other TEFL student are in those since they are not here. Though, some are probably doing home-stays as well, where they live with a local family.

My bed had a huge, thick, doubled over blanket that I’m pretty sure was made from llama or alpaca fur or something. Even with that and the big fluffy comforter it was kinda chilly when I took a nap after arriving. Obviously, I’ve survived many freezing winters back home, but there when it’s only 40-50 degrees we turn the heat on… no heater here! I’ve spent most of the day hanging out drinking lots of warm tea and coffee (though the coffee here is not as good as it is in Costa Rica).

House pics to come soon.

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posted at 8:22 PM   ::   0 comments