I have started to get in a routine of sorts which has made living here pretty nice and relaxing for the most part with my teaching schedule. I am typically two weeks ahead of planning the four classes I teach (two second-grade classes, a first-grade class, and a whole school English activity). I have complete control over what we teach in those classes because they aren’t textbook based yet. The freedom has allowed me to cover more than just the ABCs, teaching animals, colors, and now onto body parts. These are my favorite classes to teach because the kids are always so excited when we come. Out of the whole school at 崁頂國小 my second and first graders are the loudest in shouting “Good Morning”, “How are you?”, and sometimes just saying “My name is ….” even if no one particularly asked their name. Their enthusiasm is infectious.
I feel like I am doing something right with these kids because they want to learn English, whereas some of my students would gladly drop the class. I have some fifth grade students who choose not to complete their English homework on a regular basis, leaving us to complete workbook pages during class time instead. My first and second graders on the other hand, will tell me what they are interested in learning and what they find interesting. I have a no go on dancing and singing at 崁頂國小, but an enthusiastic response about singing at 電光國小. I love this open communication we have even with my limited understanding of Chinese. These classes make me feel useful.
As for the third and sixth grade classes, those are a little more difficult. Sometimes I feel like a burden because I am not included in the planning of those courses as much. Instead, I have learned through observation what I can help out with during class. I lead the listening, phonics, and the reading portions of class. Over the last couple months my confidence in the classroom has developed and I can run parts of class without feeling overwhelmed or feeling that I am doing something wrong. I have even got to start some lesson reviews without my LET there when she has to print something or is talking to the director. It gives me the chance to build a rapport with the students, but more importantly that the kids can both see me as a friend and as their teacher. I don’t want my friendship with them outside of class to impact my ability to keep control in the classroom.
My love of public speaking has also allowed me to fit this role easier than I thought I would. With little teaching experience before this, only TA-ing some classes, I would’ve considered myself completely unqualified for this Fulbright grant. Now I understand how much I was prepared and how my experience on commercial set has made me a stronger person in general. It is nice to get to better understand my strengths and weaknesses in a different light. My public speaking came in handy as I took on a presentation at the Taitung Senior Girls’ High School. The students at this school test into it at the end of junior high, making this school one of the more competitive school atmospheres. The English teacher, Gloria, invited some Fulbright ETAs to give presentations on culture and holidays. I was a little nervous, but then again we know more about American holidays and culture than anyone else in the room so that confidence helped.
Gloria gave Imani (another Fulbright from NJ) and I complete creative control over what we presented to her students. She met with us before to speak on the level and interests of her students. The class we were speaking to is the rated the introductory class, the lowest level, and because of this they typically feel disheartened after tests which the advanced class scores highly on. We hoped to make English fun. To be more than just a grade, but an open door for the future and I think we did our job.
We had a power point of our family at different holidays discussing the change in how you celebrate Halloween based on age (Trick or Treating as a kid, Parties and Haunted Houses when you are older). We got a laugh out of them as we explained how we cook so much food on Thanksgiving that we eat leftovers at least for a week. All throughout the presentation we included pop culture references of movies, dances, and songs. I was really proud of how much we were able to fit in and gain the trust of the students. We even taught the chorus of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” because we heard they loved to sing. We left time for the students to ask us questions. Some were about food we missed back home (leaving me to describe the difference between pizza here and real Chicago deep dish and describing pancakes which they thought sounds too sweet), or why we decided to come to Taiwan. Literally four separate questions were asking us if we loved them, which of course we already do.
The photo session following our presentation was on par with a red carpet. What felt like each of the 33 girls came up for a selfie, with a couple of group shots as well. I really hope I am able to come back and help in another capacity because I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk to more mature students.
After such a fun experience, a high in my teaching where I really enjoyed being in the front of the class, I experienced another low. The service opportunity I found working at the Catholic Relief Fund only counts for 30 minutes of service even if I taught a class for two and a half hours. I guess since I would be volunteering during school hours, regardless if I am in school or not, only time after 4 o’clock counts. Putting me back at zero in planning for how to get my service hours done by the end of the semester. Right now I have only completed two of the eight hours, with two more already scheduled for next weekend where I will teach at an orphanage. I have begun making lists of possible alternatives to run by my coordinator every night before I go to bed. So far, I have five other ideas and I’m hoping one of them sticks.
On top of the stress of Fulbright Service Hours, I hadn’t fully realized how hard it would be to not celebrate the holidays. Being in college I have missed the odd celebration, mainly every Easter since eighth grade, but I always had the opportunity to celebrate in some way. Missing Easter I would be with my friends rowing. Even with practices everyday, we always found a way to have a special meal whether it was going to our coach’s house or a friend’s. In Taiwan, that really isn’t an option. My students have never had turkey before and their idea of apple pie is from McDonalds. There is a small restaurant in 池上, that we went to for Crystal’s birthday, that has a version of apple pie so I think that is the closest I will get this year. Being in 關山so far away from the city also inhibits my ability to participate in the ETA Thanksgiving Potluck. Not only do trains run very infrequently to Zhiben, a town south of the city where some ETAs live, but there isn’t enough time to make it to the event from my school. I’m hoping we can work something out for Christmas so I can be included in a celebration or at the very least I’m praying I don’t spend those days eating by myself as if it was just another day.
Comments