Flight, fight or freeze....umm... is fumble also an option? because thats what I did yesterday. I was hotly nervous; I had the intense heat wave that makes your hair stick to the back of your neck and you're pretty sure you are going to combust its so fkn hot. I noticed there was a fan in the room.. and the blinds could be closed.. but i chose to wait it out, the point of sweating is to cool you off anyway. i'll let nature do its magic. Thankfully it did.
I started off with attendence, and instead of trying to pronounce the names (since i know how it feels to have your name butchered) i just asked their name and if i didn't understand, asked them to show me on the list. There are 17 students registered in the class; last night there were just nine, which worked out well. Itiat, Istavhan, Hector, Lein, Ann, Miguel, Jane, Dalanvahn, and Alma. The last four were very funny, very talktative and very open to speaking a lot and answering questions. We were going over "polite refusals" and "letting other people decide"; this was a tough lesson for me to teach because in essence, we are learning how not to make a decision. How many ways can you teach the same thing? "Either one is fine", "Whatever you're having", "either way is fine", "whichever is easier for you" and "whichever you prefer". It felt redundant, but i suppose thats what learning a new language is supposed to feel like. By the time we got to break, we'd already finished everything in the Student workbook, which meant either i was going too fast, or the class was just really strong. I asked them after we finished each activity if they had any questions, if this is making sense, is there anything they'd like to talk about in regards to this.. "can you guys read my writing on the board?" lol
The second half of the class i had them work in pairs, but was mindful that some students for whatever reason may not feel comfortable working in pairs, but everyone said this was ok. UNTILL i looked up when my name was called by Hector, who was sitting beside Lein (older lady from china) saying " i dunno, i don't think she likes me, doesn't want to work, don't know". Lein was holding up scrap paper in between her and Hector so she couldn't see his face. I asked Lein if she'd like to work with Ann, and Hector could work with Miguel, but she said no no no, fine fine, and then they worked together. In response to my follow up email to the Director this morning, I was told that some students don't like to work with Hector because "Hector is a tricky one, some students can get frustrated with him as he likes to talk but it doesn’t come out so smoothly". I found Hector to be no problem at all, in fact I thought he was really great at speaking and asking questions, not so much writing or figuring things out on his own though. Hector actually reminded me of me sometimes, trying really hard to figure something out, knowing the rest of the class is probably already finished, so we did more group work instead of individual and pairs after that. Then is was break time.
During break Ann was working ahead in the book and asked me what a few things meant: Easy-going and laid back (i described these as being comfortable and saying yes to things and activites); Throwing a wild party (I described New Years with firecrackers and food and many people that you invited to your house) and Hang Gliding (a human kite lol). I was also asked later by the class what "gosh" means, i found myself using the word when trying to figure out a definition "gosh... hmm.. what does gosh mean.. " I came up with gosh being more of an expression than an actual thing which is called a "Euphamism" , thanks PROW!!
Since the classwork was going quit swiftly, I asked them what was customary in their country, if they are offered something, can they refuse, or is it better to say yes and accept it? jane (from china) was funny, she asked how do you ask for more if you go for dinner to someones house and it was really good? The class answered it for her, "all canadians will ask you if you want more. Just finish your food, and they always ask if you want to have more". lol, I am happy to know Canadians really are polite as a whole. We also learned that north americans follow the "rule of 3" , we offer things in 3's and after you refuse the 3rd offer, it doesn't get offered again. This is something I know we were never taught, but must come naturally? I know i do it ..."want something to drink?" "you sure?" "can i get you anything at all?" "no? ok". I got them to try and make an offer to another student that was as appealing as they could make it, but it had to be politely refused. Jane described what she knew to be a delicious bowl of snake soup that costs $100 in Hong Kong to Dalanvahn and Dalanvahn said "if it is your treat I will take it!".
We finished 10 minutes early and talked about what everyone did on the weekend. Hector celebrated with his community the election of a new government after 25 years in El Salvador (i thought for sure he was filipino), he was very excited for the changes that are possible now. Istavhan moved from one apartment to another apartment which he likes (he was very very quiet). Itiat worked and slept, Alma worked and then had lebanese coffee with her friend all afternoon, Dalanvahn (who is very funny) tended her garden but said she has too many flowers, they are all around the house and its so much work. Jane worked, then watched her 2 kids, Miguel played basketball then went to a bbq. Ann cut out a pattern and went for coffee, and Lein cleaned, then bought groceries for the week.
In wrap up I asked the class if things were ok, what they would like more of, less of etc. I am thankful they answered truthfully, more reading and more talking, but other than that it was good. And we all clapped and said congratualtions we did it!
*phew*
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