Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I've started teaching and since have been focused on my work.
Shane English sent me to two schools, across the street from each other. First I go to what the other English teachers call QY, with small, short and manageable classes. The morning flies by and soon lunch is served in the cafeteria. The food is usually pretty good: rice, with two kinds of vegetable dishes and a meat dish, as well as soup. Then I sit in the foreign teachers' office and plan lessons or go out and explore the Qibao Old Street nearby. Maybe this week I'll remember to bring a camera with me so I can take some photos of the school and of Qibao, a really cool area with traditional Chinese architecture.
After my long break, I cross the street and teach at "MS" where the classes are longer and consist of thirty some students each. I always feel a little overwhelmed with my grade one class: more than thirty little four and five year olds jumping up and running around and talking and not paying attention while I try to keep the lesson somewhat interesting for a half hour.
I'm enjoying teaching, but I always return home in the evenings exhausted, hence the lack of any posts on this blog.
But all in all, I've adapted a schedule and feel basically settled in. I felt a bit incredulous when I realized yesterday that I've been here eight weeks already. Essentially two months.
Other than teaching, I found a place within walking distance of my apartment to go swing dancing (I've only been once, as I felt a bit sick last week), and I've made friends with a few other teachers
Shane English sent me to two schools, across the street from each other. First I go to what the other English teachers call QY, with small, short and manageable classes. The morning flies by and soon lunch is served in the cafeteria. The food is usually pretty good: rice, with two kinds of vegetable dishes and a meat dish, as well as soup. Then I sit in the foreign teachers' office and plan lessons or go out and explore the Qibao Old Street nearby. Maybe this week I'll remember to bring a camera with me so I can take some photos of the school and of Qibao, a really cool area with traditional Chinese architecture.
After my long break, I cross the street and teach at "MS" where the classes are longer and consist of thirty some students each. I always feel a little overwhelmed with my grade one class: more than thirty little four and five year olds jumping up and running around and talking and not paying attention while I try to keep the lesson somewhat interesting for a half hour.
I'm enjoying teaching, but I always return home in the evenings exhausted, hence the lack of any posts on this blog.
But all in all, I've adapted a schedule and feel basically settled in. I felt a bit incredulous when I realized yesterday that I've been here eight weeks already. Essentially two months.
Other than teaching, I found a place within walking distance of my apartment to go swing dancing (I've only been once, as I felt a bit sick last week), and I've made friends with a few other teachers