Tuesday, June 22, 2004
In other news I moved into the old dorms this morning. Huge room, with a balcony and a railing fat enough to put an ashtray on it. And I scored myself a bottom bunk. Then I had tea with Maryanne and said goodbye. She's leaving tomorrow morning. In one hour I got to know her faster than I did in nine months or whatever and I finally got to see what really makes her tick. She had a rough time in Taiwan, not unlike half the people that come here. I am looking forward to seeing her again!
Then I went off to my beautiful subbing job in Wu Fong where I was once again cross examined about how much experience I actually have. Because it's Robert's integrity on the line rather than mine, I am trying to convey the impression that I am an experienced teacher who also happens to be a horrible one at the same time, (they do exist: think my business studies teacher in Year 11) which requires me to act calm and confident and most importantly, oblivious to the fact that I am terrible. This has been good fun, because I'm pulling it off pretty successfully. I walk out of a nightmarish class and back into the office where I behave like a total bimbo and go on about how I really think I got through to the students this time and crap on about my dedication to education in English slightly above their level so they can never be sure of exactly what I am saying... as long as it looks like I think I'm making a serious attempt at the whole shebang.
I had five four year olds today. It felt like I was babysitting Ben again except this time he had four little mignons and semi-clones. This little dude grabbed the flash cards and threw them into the air and turned on the fans and played with the stereo and flopped his willy out so the girls would freak out. I kept waiting for his head to twist around 360 degrees and start vomiting but luckily it never reached that stage. Worst of all his Dad was in the foyer hearing everything and I wondered if he was expecting me to be able to control his kid and actually turn him into an English whiz or just stand there and be white for his money's worth. It was better than the adult class though. Oh, and now I know the words to "Do You Know the Fireman?" ¶ 01:29
Then I went off to my beautiful subbing job in Wu Fong where I was once again cross examined about how much experience I actually have. Because it's Robert's integrity on the line rather than mine, I am trying to convey the impression that I am an experienced teacher who also happens to be a horrible one at the same time, (they do exist: think my business studies teacher in Year 11) which requires me to act calm and confident and most importantly, oblivious to the fact that I am terrible. This has been good fun, because I'm pulling it off pretty successfully. I walk out of a nightmarish class and back into the office where I behave like a total bimbo and go on about how I really think I got through to the students this time and crap on about my dedication to education in English slightly above their level so they can never be sure of exactly what I am saying... as long as it looks like I think I'm making a serious attempt at the whole shebang.
I had five four year olds today. It felt like I was babysitting Ben again except this time he had four little mignons and semi-clones. This little dude grabbed the flash cards and threw them into the air and turned on the fans and played with the stereo and flopped his willy out so the girls would freak out. I kept waiting for his head to twist around 360 degrees and start vomiting but luckily it never reached that stage. Worst of all his Dad was in the foyer hearing everything and I wondered if he was expecting me to be able to control his kid and actually turn him into an English whiz or just stand there and be white for his money's worth. It was better than the adult class though. Oh, and now I know the words to "Do You Know the Fireman?" ¶ 01:29
