I'm a teacher

After several weeks of anticipation, this week was my first time having students on my own. It's fun! I got to write on the chalkboard and everything! The teacher split the class into two groups and I worked with each group for half an hour. We did an activity where they had to guess which classmate was being described. They did well, especially since everything was in English. The fist two groups were well behaved, but the second class was not. I was very firm with them, but they've reached the age where they're too cool to learn. They are behind their peers on the same level of English. Because it's harder for them to understand they have less motivation to try. It's very sad and I'm not sure how to deal with them. I kept telling them to stop talking, but everything was funny to them. I think they feel awkward speaking English in front of me.

Many of the teachers yell at the class to command their attention. This works, but their spirits are crushed. One of the English teachers commands her classes so well, I don't know how she does it, but I've got to learn. She rarely raises her voice and stops mischief in an instant. The most remarkable part of her method is that her students are still so curious to learn and are never discouraged. When I ask other classes if they have any questions for me few students raise their hands. When I ask this teacher's classes for questions, 30 hands shoot into the air. It's so much fun with them. When they were getting to know me they couldn't contain their excitement to ask me their questions. And they were thrilled to know how I celebrated Halloween and filled with laughter when they learned that I dressed up as an Oompa Loompa one year. The teacher says that they always ask when I'm coming back. So adorable. I can't wait until I get to make my own lesson plans.