Hello friends!
Recently, I have been reflecting on what it has been like to teach here (partially after going to my second ever English teaching conference and also because I am nearing the end of my Diploma program). I have also been thinking about why I am so happy in my life, even though it may not seem super exciting and I’m not out “saving the world”, if you will. So I’ll talk a little about teaching first, then reflect a little on how I’ve been keeping afloat in the real world.
Teaching
Since I’ve been in Lima I’ve taught a HUGE variety of English related classes including:
1. In a school, where I was the teacher for 1st grade primary to 5th grade secondary
2. Group classes with kids (ages 7-9)
3. Individual classes with kids (ages 5-15)
4. Group classes with adults (basic, intermediate and conversation)
5. Individual classes with adults (basic, intermediate, advanced, business)
6. Tests: TOEFL and GRE
I never realized how many different types of English classes there were given I’m from an English speaking country, but daaammnnn, it’s insane! Each one requires a different approach and a different set of skills. The two basic dividing factors are age and level and they can create a myriad of unique challenges depending on the students personalities, as well.
I’ve come to really love my private students because they allow for a lot of flexibility. The problem, however, is that with adults at a basic level, there is no space for them to really practice their English with peers. While talking with me can kind of work, ultimately, in my opinion, it is important for basic level students to interact with one another so that they are forced to use their English in a real way. Once they know you’re a teacher, they’ll be tempted to either ask you questions in Spanish or feel a bit uncomfortable because they know they you’re already fluent. I try and encourage these students to keep doing individual activities on their own, but motivation can be difficult since the only person they will let down is the teacher they see once or twice a week (another problem! Time spent doing English is usually between 1-3 times a week, and if you don’t know a language, that’s a sloowww process).
While simultaneously teaching and getting my English Teaching Diploma, I have the privilege to think and learn about teaching strategies, reflect on them with other teachers and have real experiencial knowledge to compare with the information in class. I really enjoy being in a classroom setting, having something concrete to focus my attention on. While it certainly isn’t the most challenging course I’ve taken, I think that it is incredibly useful. There are so many things to be gained from constantly and continuously learning new things and expanding our minds to see things in a different way. It’s also great to meet other people interested in the same topic, but who may have little in common. I feel satisfied and gracious that I’ve met so many amazing teachers through this course and it has really added to my time here in Peru and in my life after college.
Life
I teach English, hang out with friends, read, exercise when I can, cook, and, well, just live. What I realized has made me happy has been the fact that I keep little goals for myself, mental (and sometimes real….okay, most of the times) check-lists of things I want to do for the day, for the week, for the month, or for life in general. It keeps me motivated and excited because, however small, I have something to look forward to. I keep myself busy by planning out a fun bike adventure with Alvaro and getting myself psyched up for all the amazing places I could go and jobs I could have once I have my Masters. Little or big, being excited about and looking forward to something makes life worth living.
When we’re in school, our lives are neatly organized for us. When we make choices, they come down to a list of courses, work-study options, or Winter Term projects (if you’re an Obie) and summer jobs. There’s very little freedom and, I personally feel that it actually keeps us sane. Once we start to realize all the possibilities we truly have it can be mind-boggling. Let’s face it, graduating with a bachellors degree from a small liberal arts school is NOT pushing us in a very clear direction. We can go abroad, work locally, become farmers (Laurel!!!), bike across Canada (Lizzie!!!), continue being academics, sit at home and watch T.V., the options are endless.
I know many people find it hard to be set free, while it has been challenging at some points, I’ve come to embrace my very free lifestyle. My life is not about filling my life with work and money, but realizing the potential of the opportunities I have available to me. While I’m not saving up tons of money, I don’t think that I need to be thinking about that quite yet. I’m not planning on living somewhere permanently or having any children, so right now it’s just me and Alvaro being together and being happy. I know that once I start graduate school (I hope!!!) my short term goals will be different, but for now, I’m enjoying having the freedom to do the things I enjoy doing simply because I can.
