teaching is tiring
Well today the new timetable took affect. That meant I had 6 lessons to teach today....really wasn't looking forward to this. I've decided that I find teaching big groups really difficult because you have to keep them all amused for a long period of time. I like doing one to one because you actually feel that you are achieving something! Anyhow, first class of the morning, GRADE 9. My heart sinks when I see them. It's a tough class to teach. Firstly, because cheating is rife!!! Secondly only maybe 5 students actually now what they are doing and the rest copy. And finally because I probably have the most disruptive boy in the whole school in that class. I've started preparing word games and comprehensions for them to do.....yes I'm actually having to handwrite all these handouts!! It alteast keeps them focussed for most of the lesson. Like I said only 4 or 5 of the students do the actual work, the rest spend most of their time writing all the words down! They really struggle with the basic use of verbs....i like play....is a common grammatical errror amongst them. I'm thining of making them decline all the verbs....just like our latin lessons. It's the only way I can think of to make them remember when to use play or playing..for example! Lesson went by quickly. I feel like a bit of a cheat giving them these exercises to do...it's not like I'm teaching them anything....I'm making them draw on what they know or don't know. Whether they are learning or even remembering anything from my classes I don't know. I suppose if I keep waffling on in English long enough something is gonna sink in!!
Grade 8 next....now they are a sweet bunch, though Chandrasnatha (sponsor child of my parents) is a right royal pain in the arse. And they all cheat!!! I think my mother is emailing Chandrasantha quite alot. I had this discussion with Wanni about the sorts of people that sponsor these kids. Though all their sponsorships are genuine, I can't help feeling that there is an ulterior motive for most. For example, this old guy Lionel, is a lonely old dude in the US who does a lot for HOrizon, but mainly I think because it makes him feel less lonely. Another couple, who were the first sponsors at Horizon, dont have any children of their own, so obviosuly look to these children as a kind of extended family. Then there is my mother. Trying to replace the children that disappointed her so much. At the moment, she sponsors Christopher (the housekeeper's son), Chandrasnatha and emailed Wanni to sponsor another child! I find it a bit creepy. She has promised Chandrasantha to take him to Singapore and all sorts. When I first came up, she sent a present for him - a remote control car. Parents here can't afford food and clothes let alone batteries....she doesn't really think! And to give a kid like Chandrasantha such hopes of Singapore is all fine but she's got no idea how it affects these kids mentally. I know it's an opportunity for him...but it's makes the hairs stand up of my arms when I remember I how just whisked young Christopher to England for 8 weeks over the summer holidays. The poor kid had never been away from his mother let alone to another country. I know she thinks she is doing something great...but I don't think she thinks about the consequences of her actions on these children who's lives she is turning upside down. If she wants to something useful, pay for tuition classes to improve their english and other subjects. Have I raved on enough??????
I sometimes feel a little left out. All of the teachers except me speak sinhala and not all speak english. So when lunch comes the majority of the chat is in sinhala....which means I often sit there like a right plonker! I don't mind...but it frustrates me that I can't speak sinhala. I'm really trying to pick it up but it's a difficult language to grasp! I can say little things but not really form a whole sentence yet and definately not debate the merits of the leading political party!
The afternoon was once again a busy one. First grades 4 & 5 in which I got the Grade 10's to help. THen I was supposed to have a break but after much pleading from the Grade 10s who were desperate for a class, I was convinced to teach them. As I entered the hut, they all clapped...never new my lessons were that great. This lesson was funny. We were doing verbs in alphabetical order. For M, L and K, from three of the boys, I got Marry, Love and Kiss....I asked them if they wanted to tell me something! Grade 10s are a nice bunch. The boys are much smarter than the girls in this class. And they are particulary quick witted!
The rest of the day blurred into a finale! The kids really are understanding me more. Not sure if that's down to me or just because I'm exposing them to english every time I see them....which is more than they are used to! Teaching finished and I was exhausted. I feel shattered most evenings. Made up a new acronym. We've been writing FAQ's recently for the new websites the kids are building. So Deepal asked me to write some FAQ's for his e-Village website. FAQ - frequently asked question or fucking absurd questions - you take your pick!
mx
Grade 8 next....now they are a sweet bunch, though Chandrasnatha (sponsor child of my parents) is a right royal pain in the arse. And they all cheat!!! I think my mother is emailing Chandrasantha quite alot. I had this discussion with Wanni about the sorts of people that sponsor these kids. Though all their sponsorships are genuine, I can't help feeling that there is an ulterior motive for most. For example, this old guy Lionel, is a lonely old dude in the US who does a lot for HOrizon, but mainly I think because it makes him feel less lonely. Another couple, who were the first sponsors at Horizon, dont have any children of their own, so obviosuly look to these children as a kind of extended family. Then there is my mother. Trying to replace the children that disappointed her so much. At the moment, she sponsors Christopher (the housekeeper's son), Chandrasnatha and emailed Wanni to sponsor another child! I find it a bit creepy. She has promised Chandrasantha to take him to Singapore and all sorts. When I first came up, she sent a present for him - a remote control car. Parents here can't afford food and clothes let alone batteries....she doesn't really think! And to give a kid like Chandrasantha such hopes of Singapore is all fine but she's got no idea how it affects these kids mentally. I know it's an opportunity for him...but it's makes the hairs stand up of my arms when I remember I how just whisked young Christopher to England for 8 weeks over the summer holidays. The poor kid had never been away from his mother let alone to another country. I know she thinks she is doing something great...but I don't think she thinks about the consequences of her actions on these children who's lives she is turning upside down. If she wants to something useful, pay for tuition classes to improve their english and other subjects. Have I raved on enough??????
I sometimes feel a little left out. All of the teachers except me speak sinhala and not all speak english. So when lunch comes the majority of the chat is in sinhala....which means I often sit there like a right plonker! I don't mind...but it frustrates me that I can't speak sinhala. I'm really trying to pick it up but it's a difficult language to grasp! I can say little things but not really form a whole sentence yet and definately not debate the merits of the leading political party!
The afternoon was once again a busy one. First grades 4 & 5 in which I got the Grade 10's to help. THen I was supposed to have a break but after much pleading from the Grade 10s who were desperate for a class, I was convinced to teach them. As I entered the hut, they all clapped...never new my lessons were that great. This lesson was funny. We were doing verbs in alphabetical order. For M, L and K, from three of the boys, I got Marry, Love and Kiss....I asked them if they wanted to tell me something! Grade 10s are a nice bunch. The boys are much smarter than the girls in this class. And they are particulary quick witted!
The rest of the day blurred into a finale! The kids really are understanding me more. Not sure if that's down to me or just because I'm exposing them to english every time I see them....which is more than they are used to! Teaching finished and I was exhausted. I feel shattered most evenings. Made up a new acronym. We've been writing FAQ's recently for the new websites the kids are building. So Deepal asked me to write some FAQ's for his e-Village website. FAQ - frequently asked question or fucking absurd questions - you take your pick!
mx