I'm getting real slack at writing. Once again, I'm tired, it's late and I'm not sure what to write. So I thought I'd briefly describe my job (which is going to end in two weeks time). I am a 'native English speaker' which means I pronounce everything perfectly and can be the absolute authority on complicated grammatical questions! If only I could be that confident. Instead the lot of an English teacher is sometimes to say, "I don't know." and then to look up the answer for another time.
I have quite a variety of classes. One is in First Certificate English or what we could call upper-intermediate level. This is great as we can do conversational English and actually enjoy a chat after class too. Another class is with some teenagers who would rather speak in Spanish. We have a lot of laughs especially practising expression in the voice. The boys pretty much begged me to listen to the Spain football match on Tuesday. One of them very politely told me at the beginning, "I'd prefer to be at home." People here are honest.
Apart from one class with the local baker, the rest are with children: small, noisy, easily bored but really lovely. We do more active things in class, sing (If you're happy, happy, happy etc.) and spend a bit of time on computer activities. At times, I pick up the large hints that they're a little disinterested. "What's the time?" or "When are we going to use the computers?" Generally, however, they pay good attention, and they continue to improve. They also have a lot of grace for my Spanish, which at times is quite amusing. Like when we were learning animals and I introduced 'oreja' as a farmyard animal. They may have seen ovejas (sheep) wandering round a farm before, but I doubt they've seen many ears there!
I've learnt a lot about teaching and can prepare a lesson in half the time now. That's a relief as it started at about two hours for each class! When it's all finished, I'm not sure if I'll go back to teaching English, but it's certainly been a memorable experience.
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