somehow it seems like i had SO much to do last week... SO much teaching.... SO much preparation... SO much observing. but now that i'm in week two that doesn't really seem like the case. last week i taught a variety of classes. my first class was a group of mixed beginners at a local hair salon. they were a fun group and i think i was able to teach them *something*, though it was tough to know what kind of material to cover with a level like "mixed beginners". they actually turned out to be a little lower than i had anticipated.
my next two classes were both team teaching classes. there were things i liked about team teaching (sharing the workload, poster preparation, worksheets, etc) and things i didn't like so much (counting on someone to show up when you expect them to, not sharing the same vision of the class - plus i have some control freak tendencies). but i did work with two people that i actually like - instead of someone who *really* annoyed me, so that's something.
one class was a hi beginner class in which we had to teach - the present perfect tense. what????!!!!! how many of you reading this can explain to me the present perfect tense? now how many can explain that to people who don't speak english? we went for a grammer free approach, basically telling them the structure to use but not really explaining why. to be fair all of our "training" in the course has been about using there simple dialogue system and teaching beginners. never did we discuss the best way to get grammar points across. kind of annoying. but we got through it.
my second team teaching class was more fun. we taught present tense (a much easier concept) - like i'm running, i'm going to work, etc. we had lots of games and a really fun group of adults. it's the class i've probably felt the most confident about so far.
for the remainder of this week i'm teaching low beginners. and i observed another teacher teaching the class last night and they are VERY low beginners. so i've got to adjust my lesson plan a little - but i suppose it's unlikely that i'll run out of things to do.
can hardly believe this course is almost over.... on friday we have our graduation dinner and then saturday i'm off exploring. i'll most likely be traveling with some people i met on the course and doing whatever as opposed to trying to see the things i'm interested in. anyhow - will try to write at least once more before i'm off traveling and maybe a little more often when i'm on the road (no lessons to plan or teach).
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
beach saturday + beach sunday = no sunburn
had a very successful weekend at the beach. :) after a marginally late night on friday (but not as late as last friday) i slept until about 11 on saturday and then caught the bus to the beach. lots of people were already there, even those who had been out later than me! so there was lots of lying around in the sun, some swimming, the more athletically inclined played volleyball and frisbee.
had a quiet night on saturday. went out for pizza at an italian place in town. it was actually really yummy pizza, nice light crust and fresh toppings. i only finished half of it so i took the rest home with me. sunday morning i packed up my leftover pizza in my bag and headed out for manuel antonio national park. met up with a couple others heading to the park on the bus.
i had been warned that when you get there the tide may or may not be up and you either have to wade through the water or pay some guy to give you a ride in a boat across. the tide was low, so we really only had to wade through a small stream to get to the park entrance. inside the park i was a little nervous about the sorts of wildlife we might encounter.... (i think you know what i'm getting at here) but there was no problems.
we did see some crazy raccoon kind of looking things (except they had really long tails), some iguanas (kind of creepy), a couple of monkeys, and a sloth. and besides the wildlife there were hiking trails and *stunning* beaches. basically what we did was hike for a bit. find a beach. go for a swim. sit on the beach for a while. have a snack. hike for a bit. find a beach..... :)
i had to do a little work last night for my first class today - which went okay. i was actually the first teacher of the first class today - which was not a big deal. i had a small class of 4 hair salon employees. my lesson was talking about time and making appointments. i think they were struggling a little in the beginning and i was trying to follow the "paradigm" lesson plan that we were supposed to use for our first class... so i think i could have been more helpful. but mostly i'm happy to have the first lesson done. i don't have to teach again until wednesday night so in the meantime i'm trying to get ahead on my lesson planning and observe some other classes.
had a quiet night on saturday. went out for pizza at an italian place in town. it was actually really yummy pizza, nice light crust and fresh toppings. i only finished half of it so i took the rest home with me. sunday morning i packed up my leftover pizza in my bag and headed out for manuel antonio national park. met up with a couple others heading to the park on the bus.
i had been warned that when you get there the tide may or may not be up and you either have to wade through the water or pay some guy to give you a ride in a boat across. the tide was low, so we really only had to wade through a small stream to get to the park entrance. inside the park i was a little nervous about the sorts of wildlife we might encounter.... (i think you know what i'm getting at here) but there was no problems.
we did see some crazy raccoon kind of looking things (except they had really long tails), some iguanas (kind of creepy), a couple of monkeys, and a sloth. and besides the wildlife there were hiking trails and *stunning* beaches. basically what we did was hike for a bit. find a beach. go for a swim. sit on the beach for a while. have a snack. hike for a bit. find a beach..... :)
i had to do a little work last night for my first class today - which went okay. i was actually the first teacher of the first class today - which was not a big deal. i had a small class of 4 hair salon employees. my lesson was talking about time and making appointments. i think they were struggling a little in the beginning and i was trying to follow the "paradigm" lesson plan that we were supposed to use for our first class... so i think i could have been more helpful. but mostly i'm happy to have the first lesson done. i don't have to teach again until wednesday night so in the meantime i'm trying to get ahead on my lesson planning and observe some other classes.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
parlez-vous bruncajc?
one part of our course is learning a foreign language using the immersion method (no english in class). and to make it fair for everyone (a lot of the other trainees already speak spanish, some quite fluently) we learned an indiginous langauge of costa rica called bruncaj. i have to admit that having taught using only the target language in class (in japan we used only english - lucky for me since my japanese was rubbish) i had no idea how difficult it was. though to be fair - i never NEVER would have taught so much and such complex vocabulary and sentence structures as we were taught in bruncajc.
but i suppose that was not really the point. we had to write a little essay about the experience (three lessons in all) and how we can apply what we discovered about being a student to being a teacher. but all i could think was - i wouldn't make it so hard! and i would certainly do some review each day of some basics. after 3 days of bruncajc i cannot even say "my name is..." because we never went over it again after the first class. but at least it's over now.
we have another full week of classes next week and then teaching practice for the two following weeks. already it feels like we've been in this course forever, but at the same time one week done seems like a lot.
in non-school news, a bunch of us went dancing at a discotheque last night. i was so excited - as my friends at home (and yes, i love you all dearly, but still) never (or rarely, in some cases) want to go dancing. we had a blast and stayed out dancing until 4:30 in the morning. but the best part of the whole night - the disco is the one place in town that our house is actually close to! so we had a nice short walk to our beds after we exhausted ourselves on the dance floor.
today was a pretty chill day. i had planned to go to the farmer's market and do my laundry. but i slept past the farmer's market (it closes at 1pm, which is when i got up). and after i putzed about my apartment for a little while i didn't get to the laundrymat until 3:30 and the woman said i did not have time to do any laundry. so i washed a couple of things in my sink - which may or may not be dry tomorrow - and will have to drop off my laundry on the way to school on monday.
beach day tomorrow, hopefully i won't burn to a crisp. i intend to use sunblock. but we'll see. also i get my second chance at surfing.
but i suppose that was not really the point. we had to write a little essay about the experience (three lessons in all) and how we can apply what we discovered about being a student to being a teacher. but all i could think was - i wouldn't make it so hard! and i would certainly do some review each day of some basics. after 3 days of bruncajc i cannot even say "my name is..." because we never went over it again after the first class. but at least it's over now.
we have another full week of classes next week and then teaching practice for the two following weeks. already it feels like we've been in this course forever, but at the same time one week done seems like a lot.
in non-school news, a bunch of us went dancing at a discotheque last night. i was so excited - as my friends at home (and yes, i love you all dearly, but still) never (or rarely, in some cases) want to go dancing. we had a blast and stayed out dancing until 4:30 in the morning. but the best part of the whole night - the disco is the one place in town that our house is actually close to! so we had a nice short walk to our beds after we exhausted ourselves on the dance floor.
today was a pretty chill day. i had planned to go to the farmer's market and do my laundry. but i slept past the farmer's market (it closes at 1pm, which is when i got up). and after i putzed about my apartment for a little while i didn't get to the laundrymat until 3:30 and the woman said i did not have time to do any laundry. so i washed a couple of things in my sink - which may or may not be dry tomorrow - and will have to drop off my laundry on the way to school on monday.
beach day tomorrow, hopefully i won't burn to a crisp. i intend to use sunblock. but we'll see. also i get my second chance at surfing.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
escuela
so i've now completed 2 days of school.... and so far so good. the first day our morning was filled with orientation and getting to know the other trainees (there are about 20 of us). there are some pretty cool people here. but wait - it's been days since i posted.... let me tell you about my apartment:
it's actually pretty big. we have a kitchen (but no microwave, which is kind of annoying) a small dining area, a living room (and a tv that gets NO channels, very useful). then there are our rooms - four of them (but our 4th roomate never showed up, so we have one empty room), and two bathrooms. we're basically in a one floor home. the big downfall is that it's FAR. from town (about 10-15 minute walk) and even farther from school (25-30 minutes saunter - there's a steep hill, so we're sure not going to be power walking).
the first couple of days have been fun, some of it is stuff i'm kind of familiar with from my teaching stint in japan, and some of it is completely different. we have basically been focusing on teaching theory and a simple type of lesson plan that we are supposed to use for at least one of our practice teaching classes. so for the first two weeks we are in class from 9:30 to 5. but for the second two weeks we don't have to come to school at all - we have a schedule of classes that we are supposed to teach (offered free to the community) and observe.
i'm actually quite excited because TEFL International is throwing a little event for us this weekend, which will most likely be a little bbq on the beach with surfing lessons and stuff (it's not confirmed yet). and when we finish the course there will be a graduation dinner - free food and champagne is the word on the street. sounds good to me. three of my favorite words: free. food. champagne. :)
being the end of the rainy season the days are mostly pretty sunny, but it generally rains in the afternoons or evening. which is fine - i mean, it's hot and the rain is nice. BUT. the streets are such crap that we're sort of navigating small rivers and mud trying to walk around. but maybe by the end of the month the rain will let up some. i'm starting to look a little tan - just from walking around. but i'm hoping to get some real color starting this weekend when we're at the beach.
it's actually pretty big. we have a kitchen (but no microwave, which is kind of annoying) a small dining area, a living room (and a tv that gets NO channels, very useful). then there are our rooms - four of them (but our 4th roomate never showed up, so we have one empty room), and two bathrooms. we're basically in a one floor home. the big downfall is that it's FAR. from town (about 10-15 minute walk) and even farther from school (25-30 minutes saunter - there's a steep hill, so we're sure not going to be power walking).
the first couple of days have been fun, some of it is stuff i'm kind of familiar with from my teaching stint in japan, and some of it is completely different. we have basically been focusing on teaching theory and a simple type of lesson plan that we are supposed to use for at least one of our practice teaching classes. so for the first two weeks we are in class from 9:30 to 5. but for the second two weeks we don't have to come to school at all - we have a schedule of classes that we are supposed to teach (offered free to the community) and observe.
i'm actually quite excited because TEFL International is throwing a little event for us this weekend, which will most likely be a little bbq on the beach with surfing lessons and stuff (it's not confirmed yet). and when we finish the course there will be a graduation dinner - free food and champagne is the word on the street. sounds good to me. three of my favorite words: free. food. champagne. :)
being the end of the rainy season the days are mostly pretty sunny, but it generally rains in the afternoons or evening. which is fine - i mean, it's hot and the rain is nice. BUT. the streets are such crap that we're sort of navigating small rivers and mud trying to walk around. but maybe by the end of the month the rain will let up some. i'm starting to look a little tan - just from walking around. but i'm hoping to get some real color starting this weekend when we're at the beach.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
yes i am the highly suggestible type
so last night as i was preparing to cook myself some mini-cheese quesadillas in the hostel kitchen the guy from the front desk came out and said those magic words i've been waiting to hear "your luggage is here". so fabulous. so now i have all my stuff - and an extra toiletries that i bought before the bag showed up. plus the mini-cheese quesadillas were fabulous and then we all watched LOTR the two towers.
this morning i slept late (sort of - at least i wasn't waking up all through the night trying to make sure i didn't miss my morning bus like i did the night before) and then went out in search of some breakfast. i was pretty proud of myself - i ordered and conversed with the waitress *all in spanish*. here's our conversation:
coffee with milk!!?? you might be asking incredulously. i drink black coffee if you didn't know. and yes i am the highly suggestible type. in fact when i was in san jose my first night i had an empanada and a coffee from this little diner next to my hotel. and after she poured my coffee she got me a spoon, opened the sugar jar, and put the spoon in. so i dutifully scooped some sugar into my coffee and stirred.
when my food came i put some of the hot sauce that was on the table on my eggs. i don't know why. it's not something i normally do. it might have been because the side of the jar said (in english) "keep away from the hands of small children". i thought that was pretty amusing.
i went down to the beach and wandered through the market (but didn't buy anything) and then i sat by the water for a while. i don't know if i've mentioned, but the weather is FABULOUS. it's warm and it hasn't rained at all today (this is the tail end of the rainy season). this afternoon i went on a mission to find my apartment where i'll be staying during the course. tonight i'm thinking about making nachos.
this morning i slept late (sort of - at least i wasn't waking up all through the night trying to make sure i didn't miss my morning bus like i did the night before) and then went out in search of some breakfast. i was pretty proud of myself - i ordered and conversed with the waitress *all in spanish*. here's our conversation:
chica: que quiere?
me: gallo pinto con huevos (this is rice and beans with eggs - a typical tico breakfast)
chica: huevos revueltos o fritos?
me: revueltos (i looked this up before i went to the restaurant - it means scrambled). y un cafe
chica: con leche?
me: si.
me: gallo pinto con huevos (this is rice and beans with eggs - a typical tico breakfast)
chica: huevos revueltos o fritos?
me: revueltos (i looked this up before i went to the restaurant - it means scrambled). y un cafe
chica: con leche?
me: si.
coffee with milk!!?? you might be asking incredulously. i drink black coffee if you didn't know. and yes i am the highly suggestible type. in fact when i was in san jose my first night i had an empanada and a coffee from this little diner next to my hotel. and after she poured my coffee she got me a spoon, opened the sugar jar, and put the spoon in. so i dutifully scooped some sugar into my coffee and stirred.
when my food came i put some of the hot sauce that was on the table on my eggs. i don't know why. it's not something i normally do. it might have been because the side of the jar said (in english) "keep away from the hands of small children". i thought that was pretty amusing.
i went down to the beach and wandered through the market (but didn't buy anything) and then i sat by the water for a while. i don't know if i've mentioned, but the weather is FABULOUS. it's warm and it hasn't rained at all today (this is the tail end of the rainy season). this afternoon i went on a mission to find my apartment where i'll be staying during the course. tonight i'm thinking about making nachos.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
turbulence
turbulence has been a pretty major component of my trip so far... the flight from atlanta to san jose was probably one of the bumpiest i've ever been on. i don't know if it has to do with flying over the carribean or if it just happened to be a bumpy day. and then today my shuttle bus from san jose to quepos was majorly turbulent. and i've made it here safely, despite the scary, scary bridges we drove over on the way.
however, my luggage is still not here.... the man in the office said that they called earlier... but he is presently trying to find the message. hopefully it's good news. if not i'm going to have to go out for some toiletries tonight.
it seems much warmer in quepos - which is nice, since i was a little chilly and unhappy in my room in san jose last night. and we're close to the beach, which is always nice. the hostel i'm at is nice. when the shuttle guy dropped me off there was a sign on the gate that said "warning, big dog" or something, but when i came in the gate there he was.... passed out in the middle of the walkway. and now that he's been awake, he is so not warning worthy. plus there's a couple of other dogs about and a nice big courtyard area.
not sure what is in store for tomorrow, but the day after i'll be moving into my apartment for the course - so it'll be nice to sort of set up shop in one place instead of staying in the dorms... more tomorrow.
however, my luggage is still not here.... the man in the office said that they called earlier... but he is presently trying to find the message. hopefully it's good news. if not i'm going to have to go out for some toiletries tonight.
it seems much warmer in quepos - which is nice, since i was a little chilly and unhappy in my room in san jose last night. and we're close to the beach, which is always nice. the hostel i'm at is nice. when the shuttle guy dropped me off there was a sign on the gate that said "warning, big dog" or something, but when i came in the gate there he was.... passed out in the middle of the walkway. and now that he's been awake, he is so not warning worthy. plus there's a couple of other dogs about and a nice big courtyard area.
not sure what is in store for tomorrow, but the day after i'll be moving into my apartment for the course - so it'll be nice to sort of set up shop in one place instead of staying in the dorms... more tomorrow.
Friday, November 03, 2006
getting there (is not fun at all)
so i'm here. and it's been a very VERY long day for me. probably because i decided it would be better to not go to bed at all than it would be to go to sleep sometime around midnight and then wake up at 3:30 in the morning. so after a relaxing evening of watching tv and lounging with my cat we took off for the airport around 4am.
i was there in plenty of time (2 hours early? please, i can't really think of when i've ever needed that much time). i wandered around with my dad until it seemed like the right time to get into the security line. i mangaged to time it quite well and had just enough time to get through security, walk the long, long way to my gate, rest for a few minutes and board the plane.
our flight was practically empty - which was great. so i stretched out and got a little shut-eye. however. we got into atlanta nearly a half an hour late - which really cut into my 45 minute layover. so i had to do a little early morning jogging and barely made my plane - and the flight attendants informed me and the other 4 late-comers that they might have left already if there hadn't been a problem with the smoke alarms.
so late to atlanta, late to san jose. and then i waited and waited and waited for my bag to be dumped out onto the baggage claim belt. and i waited some more. then there was an announcement for passengers who had arrived by way of boston and atlanta should go to the desk. our luggage had not arrived. *sigh*
so thanks to a lovely tourist info desk girl i managed to contact my interbus company (which was supposed to collect me at the airport and then take me to the spot i would get my bus to quepos), explain what had happened, get some information on the place i was going to stay in quepos, and re-book me for tomorrow morning's bus to quepos.
so for tonight i'm still in san jose. at some random hotel reccomended by the interbus people. hoping i can find some dinner without having to try to hard. and then laying on my bed and watching some spanish tv.
hopefully tomorrow i will be a little happier and nearer to the beach!!!!
i was there in plenty of time (2 hours early? please, i can't really think of when i've ever needed that much time). i wandered around with my dad until it seemed like the right time to get into the security line. i mangaged to time it quite well and had just enough time to get through security, walk the long, long way to my gate, rest for a few minutes and board the plane.
our flight was practically empty - which was great. so i stretched out and got a little shut-eye. however. we got into atlanta nearly a half an hour late - which really cut into my 45 minute layover. so i had to do a little early morning jogging and barely made my plane - and the flight attendants informed me and the other 4 late-comers that they might have left already if there hadn't been a problem with the smoke alarms.
so late to atlanta, late to san jose. and then i waited and waited and waited for my bag to be dumped out onto the baggage claim belt. and i waited some more. then there was an announcement for passengers who had arrived by way of boston and atlanta should go to the desk. our luggage had not arrived. *sigh*
so thanks to a lovely tourist info desk girl i managed to contact my interbus company (which was supposed to collect me at the airport and then take me to the spot i would get my bus to quepos), explain what had happened, get some information on the place i was going to stay in quepos, and re-book me for tomorrow morning's bus to quepos.
so for tonight i'm still in san jose. at some random hotel reccomended by the interbus people. hoping i can find some dinner without having to try to hard. and then laying on my bed and watching some spanish tv.
hopefully tomorrow i will be a little happier and nearer to the beach!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)