Below are my first impressions of each of my sections. These are broad generalizations that I reserve the right to amend or retract as these are my classes and this is my blog.
- 2nd year, basic listening, section B (Thursdays 10-12pm): This class scores points with me because they laugh at all my jokes and smile really big when I use random Arabic words. I had to use a microphone in this class because it is so large; that was awkward, but I had the students use it too which they were good sports about. Most of them seemed excited and enthusiastic about class. Additionally, Maiar and Maha (my shopping buddies) are in this class, so I am looking forward to seeing them again.
- 4th year, basic conversation, section ? (Thursdays 1-3pm): I am not impressed. Overall, their English skills are weaker than the 2nd year students I teach. The class size is smaller, but the students were far less enthusiastic and willing to participate. They whispered in Arabic while I was talking and even while their classmates were talking. I need to figure out how to motivate and excite them because this class was painful.
- 2nd year, general listening, section A (Sundays 8-10am): This class is great! The class president, Riham, is very peppy (maybe a little too much actually), but very helpful when it comes to filling in logistics that the department does not find important enough to pass along to me. They were patient as I dealt with the CD player problem and worked really well in groups. This class has one major whiner, but I will break her of that habit soon.
- 3rd year, basic conversation, section ? (Sundays 12-2pm): I cannot begin to tell you how much I dislike a select few in this class, and therefore, have a negative view of the entire section. There are two best friend boys, and they are horrific. They might have the maturity of 10 year olds and are beyond rude. One answered his phone in class and carried on the conversation until my death stare burned his pupils. The other talks every time I speak and tries to get my attention every time I turn to help other students. Some of the girls are just as needy and forget there are 35 other students in the class. A select few also spent 5 minutes complaining to me about the lack of organization in the department (which I am well aware of, but cannot comment on or correct given my temporary status) and the difficult of their final exams. Two of the students have been held back 3 times because they cannot pass the semester exams. They complained collectively when I was assigning them homework (apparently watching a movie is too intellectually demanding). Ahhh….. Of course there are some other students who are respectful, attentive, and on task. I will just have to do my best to focus my efforts on them and be positive despite the peanut gallery.
- 3rd year, general conversation, section ? (Sundays 2-4): Unbeknownst to me, I had both sections at once yesterday because the other teacher missed her class in the morning and sent them all to me in the afternoon so they would not miss class time. I did not find that out until I was leaving the classroom at 4 when I was asking a student why there were 45 students in one section. Did I mention the communication amongst teachers is fantastic here? Despite the gigantic size and my frustration at the previous section, these students were wonderful. Their English is at a great level and we can just work on refining their grammar and vocabulary usage. They were very involved in the class activity of brainstorming discussion ideas and produced very thoughtful and provoking topics. The group of boys drilled me quickly on my ideas about war and fanaticism, but I passed the test despite what they expected I would believe since I am American. I am looking forward to talking to them more. I also have an interesting dichotomy between the girls in the class. One group insisted that it is not appropriate for respectable girls to date before engagement, while every girl in another group has a boyfriend and they say that it isn’t a big deal. One of this girls is dating a soccer player for the Alex club team; I got really excited and she said we could go watch him play. Maybe he will have cute teammates; just kidding, but seriously.
- 2nd general listening, section B (Mondays 8-10am): I really like this class as well. I think part of my attraction comes from the smaller size (25 students), but they are also encouraging with their head nodding and smiles in affirmation that they understand me. At first, they were shy to answer questions or get in front of the class to present the activity, but many warmed up quickly. They are respectful to me and to their classmates, paying attention when someone else is talking (yes, a manner one should learn at a very young age, but it does not seem to be valued here). I am looking forward to working with them because it is my only class on Mondays, so I will be in good spirits since they are the first AND last class of the day.
In every class, I have had students invite me to join them and their friends for different things. I am supposed to watch Othello at 11:30am with students on Thursday, even though I teach till 12 and then again at 1. I have learned that they will bend their schedule just so that I can show up for a short amount of time. I have also learned that "no" or "maybe" is not a welcomed (or understandable) answer. I have other students inviting me and Grace to museums, amusement parks, and other outings. I am definitely interested in hanging out with my students outside class, but not this week. We are still living in a nasty hostel and getting used to our teaching schedules, plus we are going to start Arabic lessons this week. I have tried to explain countless times that I just want to get settled in Alex before committing to activities, and the students say they understand, but yet they repeatedly ask me to confirm my attendance. Ahhh!!!
Also, I wish I had a pound for every time a student has asked for my phone number (which I am coveting with great caution), email address, MSN messenger account, yahoo account, and facebook information. It is like playing whack-a-mole (Grace gets credit for this analogy); every time I subdue one student with “No, you don’t need that information right now,” another one pops up with the same question. And then another, and then the previous one, and over and over and over. No you cannot have my number!! I don’t want you bugging me on the phone outside of class! Chill out, like whoa! I will be available plenty and you can find me while I am on campus; remember, I still out of the crowd rather noticeably. I am the blond one (aka, you can actually see my hair since I am not in a veil), have exposed ankles, and aviators on so that I can hide my eyes from the stares.
I have even had students outside my department ask for my services (get your mind out of the gutter, ok!?!?). I wasn’t in the building 5 minutes on my first day before a male law student confronted me. He did not even attempt small talk or to ask my name. He blurted out, “Learn me English.” Oh dear goodness! I had no idea how to respond, and when I attempted to gently correct his request, he became even more insistent. I said I could not discuss this further because I was late for class (I really was, I swear), and he said that he would come find me next Thursday. Great, now I have something to look forward to this coming Thursday.
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