I find myself questioning China and teaching these kids. It’s challenging. How do you keep the class interesting? How do you keep yourself interested? How many times can you play the same game? How many times do you review the same words before you move on? I’m so inexperienced and I’m feeling bombarded and ill prepared. This is not easy. Part of me wants to pack up and just go home where things make sense, and I’m comfortable. The sad part about that is it’s only been two weeks. I’m feeling frustrated and stressed about lesson preparations this week. Following the curriculum for this school is a pain, and I don’t feel like they’ve provided me with adequate information to prepare the lesson. I have plenty of material, that’s not the problem. Songs? Games? I hate the stupid course material books that the company gave me. It’s called Playway, and it’s dumb. That’s what the afternoon school wants to follow by the book. Why is muesli an important breakfast word for kids to learn? I don’t even know what that is; some type of cereal by the looks of it. Dumb. I’ve been in my room for hours glancing at the material from time to time, trying to come up with something. Anything. I can’t. I don’t know if I can handle this. How am I supposed to do this for a year? There are people dumber than I that can handle this, but I’m having trouble. I’m bugging out.
Just talked to my roommate, so I’m feeling a little better. Not much, but a little. It’s just tough, especially in the beginning. This is a whole new world to me. Everything is foreign here; the environment, the people, the smells, the city, subways and buses, fake snow, the food, and tons of other things. In actuality though, I’m the only thing foreign here. I’m the stranger. I’m the visitor. I’m the dumb American that’s bad with directions and barely speaks a few words of Chinese. I’m dazed and confused, wandering through a giant city with millions of people. I’d stare at me too. It’s one thing to move out. It’s a completely different thing to move to a foreign country.
I declined on ice skating with the roommates and friends today. I declined on dinner. There’s a skating rink inside of Joy City. (By the way, I don’t think that’s the 3rd largest mall in the world. There is a mall that’s even bigger on the west side of Beijing that is rumored to be the second largest, though. Who knows. And since I’m correcting mistakes, thank you is actually xie xie. I’m not even gonna bother with the explanation of tone or pronunciation. I’d probably get it wrong anyways.) Back to skating. It costs 50 rmb for an hour and a half. Not ridiculous, but I had things to do today, which did not get done, and I’m trying to make my money last. I’ll do it at some point, like when I’m getting a steady pay check. If I make it that long.
While wasting time today, I shaved my beard. I was feeling a little naked without it and missing it, so I declined on the dinner invite as well. Besides, I still had nothing done. I went out walking around at like 7:30 PM, and that’s all I did. Walked around. I didn’t go into any restaurants or anything because I can’t read Chinese, and I didn’t see any pictures. So I walked around. It was pretty cold out, especially without a beard. It had snowed last night and part of this morning (Sunday). I actually saw it snow for once for a little bit, as opposed to just waking up to some snow that mysteriously appeared overnight. Anyways, after walking around, I came home and remembered we had bought peanut butter, jelly, and bread. I made myself a sandwich with 3 pieces of bread, followed by the traditional 2 slices of bread sandwich. Don’t worry, I also had some crackers with peanut butter and a plain yogurt. Yum. What a fantastic meal. What a fantastic day. I can’t wait to go back to school tomorrow and bore some kids. Just in a mood and being pessimistic. No worries.
Think I’m going to watch a movie or some episodes of ‘The Office’ since I can’t get a lesson together. Good idea Jeff. Let’s see how this week goes. Should be interesting.
-Jeff.
Your post reminded me of the challenges I faced the first time I started teaching so many years ago. Teaching is not easy. Each class is different and requires a variation on how you do things. This adds to your challenges.
ReplyDeleteYou are smart and clever. You just need to find your rhythm and style. Take the curriculum they gave you and make it your own. Make up your own games and silly songs. Embrace your inner child. Think back to Sesame Street.(word on the street, letter & number of the day) Invent characters. Spend more time on each individual word through questions. Like what color is it? What letter does it start with? Are their any other fruits that begin with this letter? etc. Make the whole lesson about American names for fruit,or school items or clothes. You are dealing with 5-6 year olds and their attention span is about 5 seconds. The challenge will be to keep their interest. I beleive you can do it. You are just out of your comfort zone on so many levels.
Bottom line - Don't give up. Greater challeges bring greater rewards. So step up to the plate and dig in. I can see you hitting a homerun.
Tip: Use the internet as much as you can to look for lesson ideas and variations on things. People put up so much good stuff, and you can always modify it to fit what you need. I have trouble coming up with interesting things for my kids here, and they speak my language! I swear the internet is a lifesaver.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get through the rough spots Jeff. Every day brings new adventures! Focus on the positive things, and the rest will become much more bearable.
Thanks Kel. Good advice. I'll definitely have to check out the internet and see what are other people are doing. Gotta focus on the positive as well. It's not THAT bad. I was just having trouble and it was getting to me. Certainly not easy though. Should get easier as I progress. Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteAunt Ann, thank you as well. Yes, they do have a small attention span. It's not the easiest thing to keep them interested. The last 5 to 10 minutes are difficult. I do need to be more creative and figure out how to maintain interest throughout the class. Thank you for the tips. Practice makes perfect, I suppose.
If it makes you feel better, every new teacher goes through this! Even experienced teachers get frustrated and feel like they aren't doing the best they can for the kids.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what Aunt Ann and Kelly said...keep your head up! It will get easier. This is a such a new experience for you, so it'll take some time to get used to it.
One of the things that I do when I need new ideas (in addition to going on the internet...great idea, Kel!) is talk to other teachers, whether it be my mom or people I work with. I haven't found anything better than brainstorming with someone that things a little differently than me. It helps trigger new ideas that you can put your own twist on.
Anyway, keep doing what you're doing...you'll hit your stride, I know it!
Just thought of something else...
ReplyDeleteEspecially with kids that little, try to incorporate some sort of movement with EVERYTHING you do. It helps keep them moving and it actually will help keep them focused. Kinesthetic learning is a big part of teaching with kids that age.
You could also try letting the kids teach each other. Nothing big, but for a review, have one of them quiz the other kids. Just a couple thoughts...hope they help!
PS. Have you used the glasses in the classroom yet?? The kids will love them!
don't fret bro, everyone goes through this in every job. There's a learning curve and like you said, practice makes perfect. I have to agree with Kelly, I know a few teachers and they have all said the internet is a huge help.
ReplyDeleteI know I can't imagine the difficulty with the language barriers, but keep in mind that for kids and even people there are universal languages, laughing, movement, hand signals, facial expressions etc. If they wanted a chinese person, they wouldn't of hired you, a foreigner. They want the cool crazy American, they want you to be you.
It may be frustrating to be a foreigner but remember that it has it's advantages. Plus the fact that their expectations of you are probably low, so you have the opportunity to look awesome, change their thinking/stereotypes and really inspire those kids with creativity etc. Besides your great with kids, it shouldn't be any different with Chinese children.
Your doing a good job and it's only going to get better. Keep it up.
Jeff. This is my first time reading your blog. I must say, I am very impressed. I am sorry to hear you are struggling a bit. I think it would be more concerning though if you weren't as you described "bugging out." Of course it is scary, we become so adapted to our "American" way of doing things and comfortable in our little bubble. I think its so awesome you are in China doing something great and completely stepping out of your comfort zone. Hang in there. I am sure your doing much better then some who act like they have everything together. Send me your address if you get a chance:)
ReplyDeleteYou need a gimmick! The kids will buy into it if you do...start and end with a simple fun routine. Find good books with a basic storyline and good pictures that catch attention. Send me your address, I have books that I can give you that they would love! Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteHang in there. Every new teacher (and experienced ones, as well) is scared and frustrated at times. All want to do their very best for the children and are afraid that they are not. This shows you are a caring and conscientious person. Wonderful qualities! The difference with you is that you are in a totally different culture and very much out of your comfort zone. It will get better and I know you are doing a fantastic job. What child wouldn't love being in your classroom? The lessons may seem repetitive and boring to you, but they are fun and exciting to them. Relax and enjoy the children. The rest will fall into place. Love you - Grandmom and Poppy
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