At Last! My first two weeks teaching...

Hello everyone!

Sorry about the delay for my update!  I've been procrastinating...

So, I survived my first week and a half of teaching Polish kids!!!! Yay me!  I was so nervous the first day, my students must have been as terrified of me as I was of them.  Once the days went on, however, I grew more and more comfortable in front of them.  I've gotten really good at talking slowly, simply, and in gestures.

The youngest kids (8-9 yrs old) are the toughest group and of course, they are also the BIGGEST group...I had 16 today.  Whew! It's difficult because they can't understand me and visa versa.  But I've had some help :)  The 10 year olds are a pretty good group, but they loooove to talk!  They're a nice bunch though, and they understand most of what I say.  The 12 year olds are awesome!  They are willing to work and have fun at the same time, and they can understand me for the most part; they are little more calm than the 10 year olds.

And of course I have 13-15 year olds which are the easiest because they are the most advanced in English.  I can go into detail with my lesson plans, and they can give me great feedback during the lesson.  We can have discussions which is really fun because I get to learn about Poland at the same time!

There were a few more dinners at some other teachers' houses during the past week and a half.  They have been so great!  There was a barbeque at Agnysieka's (Ag-nish-ka) house where I got to play with their pet turtle!!! And I got to jump on the trampoline with Agata (also an adult) and the kids too of course!!!  We had delicious food and I had my first taste of Polish beer--awesome!

Then last night was another dinner at Iwona's (I-von-a) house.  There were several other younger teachers there which was nice because we all got to just talk and hang out.  Iwona's daughter, Marta, was very kind and translated some conversation for me!  Dinner included green beans, salad, chicken/mushrooms, pork, potatoes, and cake! SO DELICIOUS.  The salad was my favorite part!  I haven't been able to eat very many green vegetables, so it was very refreshing! :)

I'm learning so much about teaching.  It's a very relaxed setting, but I also have to think on my feet in case an activity isn't working or we finish early.  It's really fun planning the lessons, and even better working with the kids.  Now that I've gained confidence, I am able to have more FUN with the kids, which is wonderful.  I'm finally able to connect with them, even though we don't always understand each other.

Everyone here is SO welcoming to me, and asks me questions, and are genuinely interested in what I have to say.  It's a very good feeling and makes me feel included in Polish culture, instead of just someone looking in from the outside.

It's hard at times, but I'm getting by just fine and trying to enjoy my time here as much as possible before I go home.  Mid-Conference is coming up tomorrow, and we'll be in Krakow!!!!! I am REALLY excited to see all the other volunteers again, and to be in Krakow!  I hear it's a beautiful city.  But I also have to be careful of the legendary dragon that lives there...!!

Loooooove,
Katie