It has been a few days since I have written-sorry! Monday I taught my first class. My lesson was with a room full of overly animated 10th graders! It was enjoyable. I learned a lot of things about myself as a TEFL teacher and as an educator in general. There are many things that I need to work on. And have I mentioned lately that I love teaching these children English! I just need to keep working on my skills as a TEFL teacher.
On Tuesday my class was quite uncontrollable. They were all just way too excited and never stopped chatting despite my many requests. Any time I made eye contact with them they all just giggled to each other. The hum of chatter never ceased the whole time I was in that class. Hopefully the novelty of a white woman teaching in their classroom will wear off soon. Also, hopefully I will gain the skills to have them quiet down and focus on the lesson.
Yesterday, I went to my new school to observe some of the classes to get a feel for what they are like. On my walk over to the school I encountered a large group of the small children from the Periyar Tamil medium school (not my new school). A few of the children are from the Children's Home (the orphanage that we work with) and all the others are from the surrounding neighborhoods. These children are very poor and it is very apparent by their hygiene and clothes. They are just the most beautiful children. One thing we learned from a school administrator from the Higher Secondary School at Periyar was that in India everyone has a right to receive an education. Only, families must pay for their children to take English classes and to be in English medium classes. It just seems like a policy which keeps the poor, poor, and the rich, rich. As I kept walking to my new school away from the Tamil medium school kids from the orphanage, I began to wonder who had selected these children to go to the Tamil medium school and not the English medium school, aren't they worthy of an English medium school just like most of the other girls from the orphanage? Who has such power to decide the fate of another. I was wondering if they choose which school the orphans will go to based on their assumed caste. Wouldn't it be beneficial for the Indian government to educate all of its children in Tamil and English?
Tuesday afternoon was quite eventful. We went to the mall area so that Laura could buy some essentials since she just got here on Friday. The three of us had lots of fun together-many laughs. The best part of the whole experience was right when we got home and the pharmacy boys from upstairs were all out in front of the house like usual and suddenly a motorcycle zooms by followed by a motorcycle with two police officers on it. They pulled over eventually toward the end of the block still in our sight. The police officers jumped off their bike as did the other two men. The police officer ran up to them and slapped them on the head. We all three nervously laughed because we didn't know if we should be scared or not. Then we asked the pharmacy boys why the police were hitting those men and they told us that the police slap you around instead of giving you a fine!
I also completed my first English lesson with Ravanan. It was very successful. He took it very seriously and actually has a great foundation that I will be able to build off of. I even quizezed him a little this afternoon (without his notebook) and he did pretty well. After our lessons the pharmacy boys were talking with Ravanan. When I asked one boy who speaks English quite well what they were talking about he said they were making fun of Ravanan but Ravanan was telling them that they are not to interfere with him learning English! I was so proud of him. He then took out his notebook and asked the boys some of the questions that we went over and none of them could answer! He just walked away after that-more like he floated away on a cloud! Ravanan is beautiful!
Speaking of personal Spoken English services. While we were at the shopping mall yesterday all the women working in the women's department got to talking to us and figured out that we are teaching English and demanded lessons. We told them we could do once a week. They all became overly excited. We gave them our address and on Monday nights they will be coming over for spoken English lessons!
Today, after my lesson, which was way more successful compared to yesterday, I became very aware of how much I miss working with youth at-risk. Every time I venture away from youth at-risk I miss them and it makes me realize that I truly do want to continue working with them. Don't get me wrong-I love teaching English to these beautiful children but I also look forward to the career path that I have ahead of me working with youth at-risk.
Today is spicy Wednesday! We ate lunch and then I served Ravanan his lunch! I decided that I am going to make a food diary. I am going to start taking pictures of every meal that we eat and then I will put the photos on photobucket once I have a full week of meals! That way everyone can see just how often we are served rice!!!
One more thing: This morning the woman who cleans the guest house was here and last week she said she would do our laundry. Anusha's mom had told us that she could use the money. So we decided to have her do our laundry! We came back from class this afternoon and the clothes were all hanging on the line. I went out to give her money and when I did she grabbed my hand, kissed it, and then bowed. I almost cried. She is such a beautiful woman. Her and her daughter came into the house a little later and we offered them food. They were hesitant but they finally ate. I am glad that we decided to have them do our laundry. I wish everyone could see just how beautiful these two women are.
Lots of love from Incredible India-Kylie
On Tuesday my class was quite uncontrollable. They were all just way too excited and never stopped chatting despite my many requests. Any time I made eye contact with them they all just giggled to each other. The hum of chatter never ceased the whole time I was in that class. Hopefully the novelty of a white woman teaching in their classroom will wear off soon. Also, hopefully I will gain the skills to have them quiet down and focus on the lesson.
Yesterday, I went to my new school to observe some of the classes to get a feel for what they are like. On my walk over to the school I encountered a large group of the small children from the Periyar Tamil medium school (not my new school). A few of the children are from the Children's Home (the orphanage that we work with) and all the others are from the surrounding neighborhoods. These children are very poor and it is very apparent by their hygiene and clothes. They are just the most beautiful children. One thing we learned from a school administrator from the Higher Secondary School at Periyar was that in India everyone has a right to receive an education. Only, families must pay for their children to take English classes and to be in English medium classes. It just seems like a policy which keeps the poor, poor, and the rich, rich. As I kept walking to my new school away from the Tamil medium school kids from the orphanage, I began to wonder who had selected these children to go to the Tamil medium school and not the English medium school, aren't they worthy of an English medium school just like most of the other girls from the orphanage? Who has such power to decide the fate of another. I was wondering if they choose which school the orphans will go to based on their assumed caste. Wouldn't it be beneficial for the Indian government to educate all of its children in Tamil and English?
Tuesday afternoon was quite eventful. We went to the mall area so that Laura could buy some essentials since she just got here on Friday. The three of us had lots of fun together-many laughs. The best part of the whole experience was right when we got home and the pharmacy boys from upstairs were all out in front of the house like usual and suddenly a motorcycle zooms by followed by a motorcycle with two police officers on it. They pulled over eventually toward the end of the block still in our sight. The police officers jumped off their bike as did the other two men. The police officer ran up to them and slapped them on the head. We all three nervously laughed because we didn't know if we should be scared or not. Then we asked the pharmacy boys why the police were hitting those men and they told us that the police slap you around instead of giving you a fine!
I also completed my first English lesson with Ravanan. It was very successful. He took it very seriously and actually has a great foundation that I will be able to build off of. I even quizezed him a little this afternoon (without his notebook) and he did pretty well. After our lessons the pharmacy boys were talking with Ravanan. When I asked one boy who speaks English quite well what they were talking about he said they were making fun of Ravanan but Ravanan was telling them that they are not to interfere with him learning English! I was so proud of him. He then took out his notebook and asked the boys some of the questions that we went over and none of them could answer! He just walked away after that-more like he floated away on a cloud! Ravanan is beautiful!
Speaking of personal Spoken English services. While we were at the shopping mall yesterday all the women working in the women's department got to talking to us and figured out that we are teaching English and demanded lessons. We told them we could do once a week. They all became overly excited. We gave them our address and on Monday nights they will be coming over for spoken English lessons!
Today, after my lesson, which was way more successful compared to yesterday, I became very aware of how much I miss working with youth at-risk. Every time I venture away from youth at-risk I miss them and it makes me realize that I truly do want to continue working with them. Don't get me wrong-I love teaching English to these beautiful children but I also look forward to the career path that I have ahead of me working with youth at-risk.
Today is spicy Wednesday! We ate lunch and then I served Ravanan his lunch! I decided that I am going to make a food diary. I am going to start taking pictures of every meal that we eat and then I will put the photos on photobucket once I have a full week of meals! That way everyone can see just how often we are served rice!!!
One more thing: This morning the woman who cleans the guest house was here and last week she said she would do our laundry. Anusha's mom had told us that she could use the money. So we decided to have her do our laundry! We came back from class this afternoon and the clothes were all hanging on the line. I went out to give her money and when I did she grabbed my hand, kissed it, and then bowed. I almost cried. She is such a beautiful woman. Her and her daughter came into the house a little later and we offered them food. They were hesitant but they finally ate. I am glad that we decided to have them do our laundry. I wish everyone could see just how beautiful these two women are.
Lots of love from Incredible India-Kylie
My Dearest Kylie,
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful blog and I think it shows just how amazing you are! You have the kindest, most giving heart of anyone I know. The part about the woman doing your laundry made me cry. Again, I am reminded of how lucky we are. We may not have a lot but we have SO much more than they will ever have. Thank you for sharing all of this with us!
I also cannot wait to see your food pictures!!!! I'm glad you survived another spicy Wednesday!
Love you sister, more than anything!
Love,
Erie
xoxo
Spot on Erika!
ReplyDeleteKylie you are incredible, I am very proud of you.
I love you