Recap

Well, I think I just need to start blogging if this is ever going to happen! It seems a little overwhelming because I feel like now that I've waited so long I need to recap the last eight weeks of my Argentinian adventure. Not only would that be too much for me to handle, but I also don't want to overwhelm all my "fans" with a ridiculously long post. I guess I will just do a quick recap! 

I am in Mar del Plata, Argentina teaching English through the Fulbright program. I work at a public university, as well as at a language lab affiliated with it. I really like teaching. phew! The degree will not be worthless! My duties here consist of leading weekly conversation workshops for university students, co-teaching an English class for adults in the community, assisting in listening and reading classes at the university, and assisting in a Spanish for foreigners class. I have to say, I don't really miss teaching adolescents! I like teaching adults better because not only are they more eager and willing to learn, but I also don't have to worry about discipline and I can plan lessons on more exciting and interesting topics.  

This week I will be reverting back to my old ways a bit though; I am going to a local high school to tell some students about the US. I have heard some horror stories about the high schools here, so hopefully it goes okay. I'm sure it will be fine because I will be a novelty for them. And if I could handle Spanish teens, I'm sure Argentinian teens aren't that different. 

My conversation workshops have been pretty fun. Attendance varies from about 4 to 12 students. They aren't required to come, so it's hard to motivate them. I have a few very loyal students who show up every time. The classes are pretty relaxed and give students more time to practice speaking. I have been trying to tell them how important it is to come, but I don't really know what else to do to motivate more of them to show up. If I were them, I would come! I mean, they have an oral section on their final exams and most of their classes have about 40 students in them, so they don't get very much time to practice speaking. They also don't have a class specifically focused on speaking, so it's a good opportunity. So, students if you are reading this: come! So far the topics I have done with them have been getting to know you activities and expressing opinions, dealing with roommates, traveling, and relationships. We do a lot of role-playing and pair and small group discussions. I try to choose topics that will get students excited and give them something to talk about. They seem to enjoy it; so far there has only been one case of tears! :) 

The other sort of interesting situation related to my job is assisting the in the Spanish class. When I first got here, I asked around about if there was a class I could take, but they said my level was too high so I could assist in it instead (I'm still not so sure how accurate that is...). So now I help out in the class. There are about 10 students at very mixed levels. Most students are somewhere around an intermediate level, but there is one Russian man who is a complete beginner. So, now I spend all my time working with him. It's been an adventure because his Spanish is really basic, and he only knows a couple words in English. Seeing as how I don't know any Russian, it makes for some fun times! I like working with him though because I know he won't be able to ask me anything I don't know in Spanish, so I don't feel nervous. 

Well, that's a bit about my job. Kind of boring to start off with I guess, but you'll just have to wait for next time where I'll get more into life in Argentina: the joys of empanadas, reggaeton, and of communicating with my landlady Betty. 

Chau! (the Argentian version of ciao)