Ok it's time to write about my students and put human faces to the general "classes" and "children" that I've been talking about. We just recently had parent night where I awkwardly tried to hint that their kids like to misbehave and don't do their homework, and I even pulled a couple parents aside afterwards. Nothing like parent night to make you feel like a real teacher! Next I will be coaching soccer teams and I don't even know how to play soccer. Also nothing like parent night in Spanish to put your poor Spanish on public display. :/
Anyway, the students. For example, there's the sweet, free-spirited 5yr old Rosana who, no matter what we're working on, always has a sketch pad that she is drawing on. No matter how many times I get her to put it away, it always reappears, so I just let it go (especially because a lot of the time the drawings are for me!)
There's Guillermo, a sharp 6yr old who will do anything for a star. He will be class president someday. Manuel is a high-maintenance sensitive boy that needs reassurance for every activity. Ana-Maria has got the brightest smartest eyes. Victor is a trouble maker, but I think it's only because he can't stop moving. His eraser is constantly falling out of his hand that he then has to pick up. I find it so cute when the kids ask with concerned faces whether they should be coloring in the entire picture. Or exactly where to put the green fruit in the arts and crafts project. These things are of vital importance.
Then there are my two favorites (don't tell anyone) - Javier and Jorge. They are the bain of my existence, but I love them to death. I think they must be 12-13. Their mouths must make sounds on their own because I think even when they try to be quiet, words just spill out. As Spanish as they get. I can tell they're smart boys, but they can't help their age.
Samuel is a special one. This 16yr old is smart, but moody. I haven't quite figured out how to get through to him. He'll know the answer but will refuse to cooperate. I totally catch him participating in spite of himself sometimes (because he forgets I'm the enemy!) and other times he locks up and refuses to understand. I have to be delicate with that one.
Juli I love. Super smart 17yr old from Colombia, will be high profile lawyer someday. I wish I could teach a class just to teenagers like her - they'd know English in no time.
Now Ernesto - my older one-on-one student is amazing. Apparently he's real estate king in the town of Rivas which is where I work, and basically taugh himself English to get up to the advanced level he's at now. He's super into world affairs and politics, and is completely up to speed on everything going on in the US. I love preparing for and having our lessons. Usually we discuss the news, and he'll usually go on some rant, which I then just have to correct for grammar mistakes. Meanwhile he teaches me all kinds of stuff, for example last week he told me about the wedding rituals of tribes in South Ethiopia.
Here's some pics of the cutie-pies (even cuter when I'm away from the classroom):
Anyway, the students. For example, there's the sweet, free-spirited 5yr old Rosana who, no matter what we're working on, always has a sketch pad that she is drawing on. No matter how many times I get her to put it away, it always reappears, so I just let it go (especially because a lot of the time the drawings are for me!)
There's Guillermo, a sharp 6yr old who will do anything for a star. He will be class president someday. Manuel is a high-maintenance sensitive boy that needs reassurance for every activity. Ana-Maria has got the brightest smartest eyes. Victor is a trouble maker, but I think it's only because he can't stop moving. His eraser is constantly falling out of his hand that he then has to pick up. I find it so cute when the kids ask with concerned faces whether they should be coloring in the entire picture. Or exactly where to put the green fruit in the arts and crafts project. These things are of vital importance.
Then there are my two favorites (don't tell anyone) - Javier and Jorge. They are the bain of my existence, but I love them to death. I think they must be 12-13. Their mouths must make sounds on their own because I think even when they try to be quiet, words just spill out. As Spanish as they get. I can tell they're smart boys, but they can't help their age.
Samuel is a special one. This 16yr old is smart, but moody. I haven't quite figured out how to get through to him. He'll know the answer but will refuse to cooperate. I totally catch him participating in spite of himself sometimes (because he forgets I'm the enemy!) and other times he locks up and refuses to understand. I have to be delicate with that one.
Juli I love. Super smart 17yr old from Colombia, will be high profile lawyer someday. I wish I could teach a class just to teenagers like her - they'd know English in no time.
Now Ernesto - my older one-on-one student is amazing. Apparently he's real estate king in the town of Rivas which is where I work, and basically taugh himself English to get up to the advanced level he's at now. He's super into world affairs and politics, and is completely up to speed on everything going on in the US. I love preparing for and having our lessons. Usually we discuss the news, and he'll usually go on some rant, which I then just have to correct for grammar mistakes. Meanwhile he teaches me all kinds of stuff, for example last week he told me about the wedding rituals of tribes in South Ethiopia.
Here's some pics of the cutie-pies (even cuter when I'm away from the classroom):
Cuteness overload. This was from the Halloween activity they did.
Jorge photo-bombed my picture of their interests -- good opportunity to have a picture of the lovable troublemaker.
Amazing art by Alex, an 8yr old! I'm so amazed at their creativity.
