June 14, 2007

Hello! I cannot believe that I only have one day left of TEFL courses, before we are sent off to all parts of Italy into the big scary world of teaching Italian children English. Many of these children have VERY little knowledge of the English language. This is a much more daunting task than teaching children back home. It is so easy to take the smallest things for granted. For example, these children may not even understand a simple sentence, like "What food do you like?" Therefore, directions become quite difficult! Yesterday, the instructors brought in a group of 7-8 year old Italian children to let us practice our brilliant teaching skills. Many of these children could introduce themselves and tell us how old they were, but when it came to explaining a (VERY) simple game or song, they got confused...I worked harder in that one hour, than I ever did while back home teaching! We are learning to use A LOT of gestures, and really simplifying our language.....clearly I do not struggle in this area, but I know people who do :-) Anyways, it is wonderful to be here, but know that I am working harder...and sweating more, than I ever have before!

I will be getting my first teaching assignment tomorrow, so I will know then where I will be teaching...for at least a week. Some people are actually leaving tomorrow night on the 10:30p.m. train, to go to the south (i.e. Sicily). Supposedly the trip takes 10-12 hours, by train. While I would love to experience this part of Italy...hello, Tony Soprano!....I think that it is one of the toughtest assignments. The children do not speak English as well as those who live further north, and it is quite hot...I have heard that it gets up to 45 degrees C...quick, what does that convert to in F????

If I am not assigned to the South, then I will leave Sanremo on Saturday. I will check in soon, and let you know the location of my next destination!