I have over 200 students in grades primero through cuarto (freshman to senior) that I teach during the week. My aim is to learn all their names and have each one learn at least some English that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
The motivation to learn English in most Chilean schools is at a minimum. It's as if English were some sort of hokey-pokey holiday enigma like Santa Claus that's only believed in by the little kids (or bigger kids like me that don't want to face the facts). It's been difficult to convey the value of learning another language. I can't be one to judge too harshly though. I was just like them in high school, goofing off in Spanish class, making farting noises.
The English textbooks given to us by the Ministry of Education, the same textbook given to all schools in Chile, are just plain awful. Disregarding any mention of grammar lessons or basic sentence structure, the lessons dive right into readings and activities that are far beyond the majority of student's abilities. I discovered the first week that most of the students, even 4th year students, didn't know basic phrases/questions like "How are you?" "How old are you?" or "Where are you from?"
I turned to my co-teacher, Paulina, as I threw the textbooks in the closet and said "Well, I guess we have to start from square one."
My students are great! They make me feel like the most popular kid in school. The guys always say "What's up, Teacher?!" and give chocalé (a slap-hookclamp-handshake followed by pounding it). The girls always hook arms with me down the hallway and say "I love you forever, Teacher!" It has started to get worse with the girls. Our lessons are often interrupted by them asking questions like "How do you say 'usted es el amor de mi vida' in English?" and "Tiene una polola?" (do you have a girlfriend?) I just smile and laugh as they chuckle their little high school giggles.
Sure the kids goof off and misbehave in class. And it can be frustrating and stressful. But it's a learning experience. A series of trials and errors in discovering what works and what doesn't; what keeps them involved in the class and what bores them.
My experience thus far here in Angol has gone beyond my expectations. My host family, my school, this simple city.. they're growing on me. There are only 11 more weeks in this semester. I'm in a good place right now. That's why I have decided to extend my stay for the second semester here. Which means I will be here for the rest of the year.
I miss all of my friends and family.
But soon enough, it will be year's end, and I'll be back.
Hasta pronto.
