It's been another busy week at work. Somehow I was scheduled for 4 evening activities this week. I have survived! A few of the highlights are below.
It started on Monday night with a trip to the bowling alley. One of my students challenged me to a bowling competition. The bet was that if he won - no grammar for the class for the rest of the week. So, it was 5 students vs me. My main aims were 1: not to fall over and 2: to beat Antonio and win the bet. Only one of the 5 students was any good. As the game drew to a close I had the opportunity to go one better and beat the lot of them. There was a big team of cheerleaders supporting the students and a couple of teachers on my side. As I was bowling in 6th position I knew what I needed to do to win. I only had to make 3 to take the game. My approach all along had been not to try too hard, just be consistent. On the night this was successful as I think the least number of pins I hit in one turn was 6. Sure enough on my second to last go I sealed victory and bragging rights for the week. Much to the disappointment of the students from my class who now had to do more grammar exercises over the next few days!
Yesterday was the final day for a large group of students. I said goodbye to quite a few Spanish kids who have been in one or other of my classes for the last month. As my friend Emily and I had proclaimed yesterday to be "International day to give your teacher presents" they swung into action. We were showered with chocolate. Best of all my Spanish friends bought a special present and a great card. We have had debates in class about what a kiwi is. It took me a day or two to realise that the Kiwi chant related to the fruit - not in fact the bird or us Kiwi people. So yesterday I was presented with 4 kiwis (fruit) one of which had been given a beak, wings and legs.
Off to London this afternoon to catch up with Gina and friends. More news soon.
Saturday 28 July 2007
Sunday 22 July 2007
Fun & games in London
Had an interesting trip to London yesterday for work. It was eventful before we even got on the bus. Why? Because there was a logistical problem that meant there was not enough space on the bus for all our students. What to do? There was another coach with plenty of spare seats taking students to the airport. So 15 students, myself and two other staff took the Heathrow coach.
We were probably 10 miles or so out of Cambridge when there was a loud bang! I looked up to see the wing mirror of the bus hanging off the front! Not crucial to the driving the bus we carried on down the highway. Then off it fell. We were in hysterics. Last weekend on the Oxford trip there was bus problems and it looked like we were in for trouble again! The driver calmly pulled over to the side of the road. Then we began a slow journey, reversing back along the side of the highway to collect the missing accessory. The driver dodged the traffic, picked up the mirror and stowed it in the luggage compartment. We later found out that they are worth £2500. Probably illegal but we carried on without our left wing mirror and didn't strike any trouble changing lanes.
Got to Heathrow safely and made our way to the tube. We had been given £80 for tube tickets. I already suspected this was not going to cover the cost. Notices said it was about £13 for each ticket to central London. Lucky Emily (another teacher) had a credit card to foot the bill. The students with us were great. They didn't bat an eyelid when we arrived at Heathrow and explained we still had a half hour tube ride before we would meet up with the other part of our tour group at Buckingham Palace. No probs on the tube. YAY!
Oh, except that the Chinese tour leader had lost a couple of students and then lost himself. We figured perhaps he was looking for two of his students that were with us. Funny that he hadn't missed them for 3 hours! I got his number from the students and we let him know Yang and Yang were with us. Then we had to unlose him. This involved Ashley (the social co-ordinator) speaking to an Australian guy (quite likely sad after watching the rugby) who then directed the Chinese leader to what we like to call The Palace! I later found out that said Chinese leader did not know how to answer his phone. What a pain!
We managed to meet up with the other part of the group at B. Palace. While I was escorting students to the toilet the Chinese leader did another disappearing act. This time in search of another student who barely speaks a word of English. Eventually everyone was located and allowed free time for lunch, shopping etc at Covent Garden, as the rain began to fall!
It was amazing that everyone made their way to the 3.30 meeting point and then back to the buses waiting nearby. It was not the students this time that caused the extra stress but group leaders who speak very little English and don't see the importance of telling school staff what they are doing. I think they should be banned from the trip! They are a liability not an asset.
We were probably 10 miles or so out of Cambridge when there was a loud bang! I looked up to see the wing mirror of the bus hanging off the front! Not crucial to the driving the bus we carried on down the highway. Then off it fell. We were in hysterics. Last weekend on the Oxford trip there was bus problems and it looked like we were in for trouble again! The driver calmly pulled over to the side of the road. Then we began a slow journey, reversing back along the side of the highway to collect the missing accessory. The driver dodged the traffic, picked up the mirror and stowed it in the luggage compartment. We later found out that they are worth £2500. Probably illegal but we carried on without our left wing mirror and didn't strike any trouble changing lanes.
Got to Heathrow safely and made our way to the tube. We had been given £80 for tube tickets. I already suspected this was not going to cover the cost. Notices said it was about £13 for each ticket to central London. Lucky Emily (another teacher) had a credit card to foot the bill. The students with us were great. They didn't bat an eyelid when we arrived at Heathrow and explained we still had a half hour tube ride before we would meet up with the other part of our tour group at Buckingham Palace. No probs on the tube. YAY!
Oh, except that the Chinese tour leader had lost a couple of students and then lost himself. We figured perhaps he was looking for two of his students that were with us. Funny that he hadn't missed them for 3 hours! I got his number from the students and we let him know Yang and Yang were with us. Then we had to unlose him. This involved Ashley (the social co-ordinator) speaking to an Australian guy (quite likely sad after watching the rugby) who then directed the Chinese leader to what we like to call The Palace! I later found out that said Chinese leader did not know how to answer his phone. What a pain!
We managed to meet up with the other part of the group at B. Palace. While I was escorting students to the toilet the Chinese leader did another disappearing act. This time in search of another student who barely speaks a word of English. Eventually everyone was located and allowed free time for lunch, shopping etc at Covent Garden, as the rain began to fall!
It was amazing that everyone made their way to the 3.30 meeting point and then back to the buses waiting nearby. It was not the students this time that caused the extra stress but group leaders who speak very little English and don't see the importance of telling school staff what they are doing. I think they should be banned from the trip! They are a liability not an asset.
Sunday 15 July 2007
Back to Work
The day we flew out to Madrid I had an interview at a language school here in Cambridge. It was nice leaving England knowing that I had a months work lined up for July. The school runs throughout the summer. I kind of figured if I got stuck into the job there might be a chance to get work in August too.
Just finished my second week of work. The other staff working on the Juniors course are fun. We have kids aged 14 to 16. Theoretically the maximum class size is 12. This is great when it is report writing time. In my morning class I ended up with 10 students - 7 from Spain, 1 Mexican who lives in Italy, 2 more Italians and a Russian. We have had a good time in the last week debating which is the best country in the world, NZ of course!
In my second class I only had 8 students - 2 Italians, 4 Spanish, 1 Turkish and 1 Danish. Classes with them involved project work and preparing for a drama afternoon. They chose to write a drama based on an old Spanish story - The Celestina which translates to the Procuress. Or after a revision or two an evil cupid who tries to make as much money as possible with little regard to the outcome of the relationships she helps to set up. The script was written by the students with very little help from me. With 9 scenes I was impressed with their ability to memorise all the lines with only a couple of days rehearsal. We were awarded a prize for the best drama and the best actress! This was fitting as the actress was the key author of the story.
Some students have gone home this weekend and new ones will arrive tomorrow. With any luck my new classes will be the same kind of level as the previous ones. In the intermediate to upper intermediate range. This means they can usually understand the instructions you give them in class pretty well. Not sure how I would cope with the Elementary level students. I have had an observation in the last week which went well. It was kind of nice that before the observation I was offered work for August too! It took the pressure off a bit.
A big part of the job is the social programme. Each afternoon there are two activities and the same in the evening. On Saturday's there are day trips, usually to London or Oxford. Sunday afternoons there are also activities. As with teaching in NZ, I have enjoyed my involvement in these activities outside the classroom. Even in London last weekend when the Tour de France started! There were thousands of people. It was inevitable that people would get lost and they did. Eventually we rounded everyone up before lunch. It is not easy when the roads are shut off. What we would do without cellphones, I don't know.
Things are busy here at the internet cafe so time to go.
Just finished my second week of work. The other staff working on the Juniors course are fun. We have kids aged 14 to 16. Theoretically the maximum class size is 12. This is great when it is report writing time. In my morning class I ended up with 10 students - 7 from Spain, 1 Mexican who lives in Italy, 2 more Italians and a Russian. We have had a good time in the last week debating which is the best country in the world, NZ of course!
In my second class I only had 8 students - 2 Italians, 4 Spanish, 1 Turkish and 1 Danish. Classes with them involved project work and preparing for a drama afternoon. They chose to write a drama based on an old Spanish story - The Celestina which translates to the Procuress. Or after a revision or two an evil cupid who tries to make as much money as possible with little regard to the outcome of the relationships she helps to set up. The script was written by the students with very little help from me. With 9 scenes I was impressed with their ability to memorise all the lines with only a couple of days rehearsal. We were awarded a prize for the best drama and the best actress! This was fitting as the actress was the key author of the story.
Some students have gone home this weekend and new ones will arrive tomorrow. With any luck my new classes will be the same kind of level as the previous ones. In the intermediate to upper intermediate range. This means they can usually understand the instructions you give them in class pretty well. Not sure how I would cope with the Elementary level students. I have had an observation in the last week which went well. It was kind of nice that before the observation I was offered work for August too! It took the pressure off a bit.
A big part of the job is the social programme. Each afternoon there are two activities and the same in the evening. On Saturday's there are day trips, usually to London or Oxford. Sunday afternoons there are also activities. As with teaching in NZ, I have enjoyed my involvement in these activities outside the classroom. Even in London last weekend when the Tour de France started! There were thousands of people. It was inevitable that people would get lost and they did. Eventually we rounded everyone up before lunch. It is not easy when the roads are shut off. What we would do without cellphones, I don't know.
Things are busy here at the internet cafe so time to go.
Spain highlights
Will try and keep this short.
1. America's Cup Village, Valencia. It was awesome joining all the other Kiwi's in Valencia to cheer on Emirates Team NZ. Caught the first weekend of action. Proudly wore large souvenir NZ flags, even after the loss in the first race. Was photographed for a Finnish newspaper. Obviously a disappointing result in the end.
2. Temple de Bod, Madrid. I would recommend visiting the temple at dusk. Emily's local knowledge was a bonus on this occasion.
3, Museo de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid. Includes work by Picasso, Dali, Velazquez, Goya, Gaudi etc. I think we spent nearly two hours here. Long enough to soak in some of the artwork but obviously you would need to spend days to really do it justice.
4. Madrid Vision. The open topped bus tour. As in London this was a good way to see a lot of Madrid in a short time. Unfortunately the commentary wasn't great. Warning: overhanging branches may knock your head off. Like around England, pruning is not of high importance. I think they rely on the double decker buses to take care of the job. Seems bizarre because not a day goes by where there is not mention of restrictions due to health and safety concerns!
5. Spanish Tortilla - this should be higher up the list I think. It is basically an omelette with potato, not flat bread as you might expect. Very nice when made well. Often served in a baguette which makes a good breakfast!
Had a good time in Spain. A nice place to travel because although I don't know the language many words are recognisable. Will have to make time to go back and see more of the country.
1. America's Cup Village, Valencia. It was awesome joining all the other Kiwi's in Valencia to cheer on Emirates Team NZ. Caught the first weekend of action. Proudly wore large souvenir NZ flags, even after the loss in the first race. Was photographed for a Finnish newspaper. Obviously a disappointing result in the end.
2. Temple de Bod, Madrid. I would recommend visiting the temple at dusk. Emily's local knowledge was a bonus on this occasion.
3, Museo de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid. Includes work by Picasso, Dali, Velazquez, Goya, Gaudi etc. I think we spent nearly two hours here. Long enough to soak in some of the artwork but obviously you would need to spend days to really do it justice.
4. Madrid Vision. The open topped bus tour. As in London this was a good way to see a lot of Madrid in a short time. Unfortunately the commentary wasn't great. Warning: overhanging branches may knock your head off. Like around England, pruning is not of high importance. I think they rely on the double decker buses to take care of the job. Seems bizarre because not a day goes by where there is not mention of restrictions due to health and safety concerns!
5. Spanish Tortilla - this should be higher up the list I think. It is basically an omelette with potato, not flat bread as you might expect. Very nice when made well. Often served in a baguette which makes a good breakfast!
Had a good time in Spain. A nice place to travel because although I don't know the language many words are recognisable. Will have to make time to go back and see more of the country.
Sunday 8 July 2007
Arriving in Spain
After a total of 7 days working since my arrival it was time for a well earned break! Why wait 10 weeks for a holiday?
Headed off to Madrid with Mum and Dad. We were expecting Emily to meet us at the airport on her return from Morroco. Before we even left Luton there was a phone call with a plea for money. Why, I hear you asking? Well, younger sister has well and truly perfected the art of missing Easy Jet flights. Oh, and managing not to have access to any money in a crisis.
Our flight was delayed leaving Luton. Remembering Em's advice about ALWAYS carrying peanut M&M's I armed myself with snacks and drinks. We found seats together on the plane. Then discovered that we had to wait on the tarmac for perhaps an hour. Something about customs officials paying a visit and then requiring clearance to land on arrival at Madrid. So, out came my sandwich. I enjoyed a little picnic before the flight even departed.
We found our way through the terminals at Madrid. Collected our bags and just walked off to the metro. No customs checks, no stamps in our passport. I guess all people arriving from England are trustworthy so why waste time on unnecessary paper work! With no problems we negotiated our way on the metro to Sol. Found a taxi which did a lap or two round the block, asked 2 policemen for directions and dropped us off at our hotel. Emily kindly booked a place on the street in Madrid famous for its prostitutes.
Headed off to Madrid with Mum and Dad. We were expecting Emily to meet us at the airport on her return from Morroco. Before we even left Luton there was a phone call with a plea for money. Why, I hear you asking? Well, younger sister has well and truly perfected the art of missing Easy Jet flights. Oh, and managing not to have access to any money in a crisis.
Our flight was delayed leaving Luton. Remembering Em's advice about ALWAYS carrying peanut M&M's I armed myself with snacks and drinks. We found seats together on the plane. Then discovered that we had to wait on the tarmac for perhaps an hour. Something about customs officials paying a visit and then requiring clearance to land on arrival at Madrid. So, out came my sandwich. I enjoyed a little picnic before the flight even departed.
We found our way through the terminals at Madrid. Collected our bags and just walked off to the metro. No customs checks, no stamps in our passport. I guess all people arriving from England are trustworthy so why waste time on unnecessary paper work! With no problems we negotiated our way on the metro to Sol. Found a taxi which did a lap or two round the block, asked 2 policemen for directions and dropped us off at our hotel. Emily kindly booked a place on the street in Madrid famous for its prostitutes.
Week at Witchford
Well, back in June I signed up for a whole week at Witchford Village College. That meant 5 very early starts. But at £110 a day you can't turn it down. Theoretically I was covering for a PE teacher going on a course. However, the school got news of an OFSTED visit (like ERO in NZ). With the exception that the school gets between 2 and 5 days notice. So there was a change of plans. Lorna didn't go on the course and I spent most of the work perfecting my invigilation skills! Not at all exciting but I was quite ill at the time and the work wasn't taxing. Didn't even involve alot of talking which was good.
Happenings that week included:
Happenings that week included:
- a man practices golf at a park near the bus station. In the city (Cambridge) with signs prohibiting you from doing so many things it seems strange that practicing golf in a public park is permitted. I guess at 6.30 am not too many people are in danger of being hurt!
- the student saying "thanks, darling" as a collected his exam paper in.
- another students requesting a glass of water in the middle of an exam.
- watching a maths exam with about 150 students, more than half did not have the required equipment. Who would have thought that a calculator, pen, compass, protractor and useful might be required in a maths exam?
- two sisters murdered in Stretham (a village between Cambridge and Witchford). There was some chance these girls attended Witchford. Police patrolled the school gates to ward away any unwanted media attention.
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