eslenchanted

[eslenchanted]

A long ass day

Today was what I like to call a long ass day. I taught for 8 1/2 hours. Teaching my usual 4 1/2 usually leaves me drained, so now I’m EXHAUSTED. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. It wasn’t a bad day though. This morning I taught pre-advanced for the second time, and I really enjoyed it because you can do so many interesting things with higher-levels. I’m used to teaching lower levels, and I do love it, but change is good. The unit was about history, so naturally we did a listening exercise with We Didn’t Start the Fire because what better song could you possibly have??? They loved it. I also had them create their own verses of the song, and some of them were pretty good! 

My upper-int speaking class wasn’t the best, and but I’ll chalk it up to both me and them having an off day. My elementary class, however, was absolutely hilarious. I have a really good group right now; the vibe and class dynamic actually leaves me feeling more energized than tired. In the second half of class I had one of my lower students in the class take up the worksheet answers, and he was actually a fantastic student teacher. He was engaged, and absolutely hilarious. The entire class, including myself, couldn’t stop laughing. The best part was that I could tell they were actually learning - sometimes laughing is nice but the class can get away from you. Today though, we were laughing AND learning. I can’t ask for more than that.

[eslenchanted]

This post is to remind you that

if we are studying the same languages, we can be study buddies

if you’re studying my native language, you can ask me questions regarding vocab and grammar, ask me to proof-read something you wrote, ask me to translate something or just write me if you want to practise writing

just let me know :)

[eslenchanted]

It’s the little things

Today didn’t start out very well. It was cold and rainy, which inevitably leads to melancholy. The difference in mood between a sunny day and a rainy one is palpable, particularly on a Monday.

 Orientation was chaotic, as per usual. I was there on time (as per usual), but had to wait for other people to show up. There’s literally nothing more frustrating on a rainy Monday morning. Because we started late, everything was pushed back and felt rushed. On top of that, someone took the photocopies of my intro lesson, so I had to scramble to make new ones. Ah, the life of a teacher. 

My speaking class was the complete opposite of chaotic. It was slow, boring, and painfully uninspiring. The topic was music, and still my students managed to make it boring. I say ‘my students’ instead of me because it’s true. When I was a new teacher, if my students weren’t completely 100% engaged, I blamed myself. As I’ve gained more experience, I’ve realized that I am not to blame - at least, not completely. I think there are always ways a teacher can energize a class, but you can only do so much. Sometimes students are simply boring people. It’s not due to shyness or ability; they’re just boring people. It might sound harsh, but I’ve come to realize it’s the truth. 

Needless to say, I was a little demoralized after that class. I wasn’t looking forward to my next class, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was positive, productive, and energetic. I had a new student, who told me that he transferred to my class specifically because other students told him that it was a good class. After class I saw him on the bus, and he told me that my class was happy and fun, and that I should be proud of that. It really is little things like that that can turn a shit day into a good one. 

As the cherry on top, one of my former students went back to Mexico for a vacation, and brought a shirt back as a gift for me. It’s the first time I’ve ever been given a gift like that, and I absolutely love it. It was so thoughtful, and I’m so grateful. 

I feel like I’m rambling, and I probably am. After being at school for 10 hours, I taught a private for one hour. Needless to say, I’m exhausted. But I wanted to document this day somehow, as a reminder of why I do what I do.