A Brief Update

I had another internet hiatus but I'm back to let the few readers left that this sight will move on. Usually I use these blogs to talk about one particular adventure, but I'm just going to give an overview today. I realized that I'm nearly half-way done now. It's caused me to do some serious reflection about how I've changed and what I've learned here. Of course it all comes down to the science of teaching. Every other evolution is minor compared to what I've learned in the classroom. These six months have undoubtedly taught me more than years of teacher certification classes. There are still moments when I feel nervous or undeserving of the student's attention, but they are rare. At first, teaching was a survival test. Each class was another hurdle and, as the bell rang, I would breathe deep with the satisfaction of just getting through it. A few months in, things changed. I began to get frustrated when the students wouldn't live up to my expectations. I started refusing the games that they had become so accustomed to in the survival period. Not openly speaking English, NO UNO! It was during this period that I stepped into the student's tiny shoes and saw the dynamic anew. Maybe I was asking a bit much, ignoring their apprehension and utter confusion at times. They might not be understanding half the things I say, it's so hard to tell. So I started slowing things down to get a grasp on what exactly they comprehend. It was during these experiments that I gained my current perspective. For the most part, I believe the students are trying their absolute hardest and I can sniff a slacker out from a mile away. Discipline is a whole other thing which, having just left college, is something I was not prepared for. More than anything, I demand respect. These are young children learning a second language and I understand the difficulties of this. Actually, when a student would be especially disobedient, I would get angry and this is when I realized they don't understand much of what I say. When I move beyond the material, much of my words fall on deaf ears. The past few weeks have been the smoothest thusfar. I still expect a lot, but not too much that I lose my bond with these children. Afterall, they are children. That doesn't mean much in this progress based society, but, in a subtle way, I've succeeded in giving these children my love and instruction. Outside of school, I've been adjusting to my new apartment. I live alone for the first time in my life! I will give some pictures of the apartment soon, but I haven't even grown into it myself. The place is smaller than my previous two room apartment but it's enough to fit me and my various gadgets. I have a computer, a TV with 4 English channels, a mini-bball hoop, a guitar, bed and PSP; life is pretty darn good. Now, if only the sun could come back into my life for a few days.