English and Fashion
Events from Friday, May 25th.
I was invited to my old elementary school to come to English classes and teach. I had a great time!
I was flushed with emotion when I walked into my elementary school. The hallway, the grade 3 class, the gymnasium and the kindergarten building. It all felt so big when I was 10-years-old and now it feels so small.
I got up at 7:40 a.m. (A record for me this vacation). Met with the english teacher at 9:30 and I was invited to all of her classes, not just one like my cousin Ola arranged. She invited me to her first english class. The children didn't understand much, but they showed they wanted to learn. Began with a history of how I lived in Bukowa and didn't know any english when I moved to Toronto. From a tiny town to a huge city. How I learned english. The tricks my teachers used to help me remember english rules and then I showed them a slideshow of photos from Toronto and Vancouver. They were shy asking me questions.
During this lesson, my grade 1 to 3 teacher walked in with tears in her eyes. I almost started to cry too! I hugged her and then I had to tell her to leave because I was near tears. Emotions were running high.
After class, I walked around the building looking for my aunt's class. Stumbled upon the principal who chatted me up and even she didn't know where my aunt was teaching. We went to a grade 4 english class instead. The teacher asked the students to ask me questions based on their text book.
Questions:
Do you like carrots?
What fruit do you like?
Do you like candy?
I guess they were doing the food section. They were not shy! Not one tiny bit. I wanted to stay there!
Then it was onto the big class - Ola's english class. All her friends were excited to see me. She was a big hit in school.
A student in the first row was playing a dot game with his friend - right in front of me - and I stopped and asked him what he was doing. That I wanted to learn. His reaction: Note book closed, red face and everyone in class laughs. He didn't disturb one tiny bit afterwards. Instead he listened and answered questions.
Must admit, this class knew nothing in english.
A break. Teacher's lounge. Lots of cake, coffe, tea - I like this teacher life. I was supposed to go to my next class in 30 minutes, but lost track of time talking to fellow teachers. Fellow - hehe.
Two boys came to the student lounge and said in Polish: Is Ms. from Canada here? and I said, I don't speak in Polish.
So they stood at attention, hands on their sides and one started: We ask Ms. to come to our class.
All of the teachers were shocked! They couldn't believe I had this much power over the students and how they listened. They all thought I had a gift with students.
This class was a bit better, but the girls who talked badly behind my back the other day were there and the girl who purposely hit me when she walked by me was also there. So, I don't forget. I picked on them. I'm evil.
One more class after this. I was exhausted. It was hot, but the last class was my favourite. They all wanted to learn. They were engaged and they were following my orders and my little pronouncation games. They loved it and in the end they all said Thank You.
I was invited for another lesson to actually work with them through exercises. I thought - that would be a lot of fun. I'm also invited to a grade 6 class on Tuesday.
And the teaching vocation has been heard and answered. A new career?
Afterwards, Ola and I got in a train. Went to Kielce for the Off Fashion festival events. First shopping. We bought a number of really awesome outfits for her.
Originally, I was supposed to go to a concert and then a photography exhibit, but I found out there was a fashion show happening.
My friend Jarek came to pick us up. He dropped us off at the fashion show. Felt so like Sex and the City. Got all dressed up! The show was fantastic and the last designer was the best - my type of style. Goth, industrial and edgy. Loved it.
Jarek came back and we walked Ola home and the two of us headed out on the town. Walked through parks, sat in parks, drank beer in beer gardens and ended up at the old theatre cafe where there was a bit of rock music.
I had a fantastic day! The next day, Ola and I are heading back to Bukowa where she has her own festivities.
I was invited to my old elementary school to come to English classes and teach. I had a great time!
I was flushed with emotion when I walked into my elementary school. The hallway, the grade 3 class, the gymnasium and the kindergarten building. It all felt so big when I was 10-years-old and now it feels so small.
I got up at 7:40 a.m. (A record for me this vacation). Met with the english teacher at 9:30 and I was invited to all of her classes, not just one like my cousin Ola arranged. She invited me to her first english class. The children didn't understand much, but they showed they wanted to learn. Began with a history of how I lived in Bukowa and didn't know any english when I moved to Toronto. From a tiny town to a huge city. How I learned english. The tricks my teachers used to help me remember english rules and then I showed them a slideshow of photos from Toronto and Vancouver. They were shy asking me questions.
During this lesson, my grade 1 to 3 teacher walked in with tears in her eyes. I almost started to cry too! I hugged her and then I had to tell her to leave because I was near tears. Emotions were running high.
After class, I walked around the building looking for my aunt's class. Stumbled upon the principal who chatted me up and even she didn't know where my aunt was teaching. We went to a grade 4 english class instead. The teacher asked the students to ask me questions based on their text book.
Questions:
Do you like carrots?
What fruit do you like?
Do you like candy?
I guess they were doing the food section. They were not shy! Not one tiny bit. I wanted to stay there!
Then it was onto the big class - Ola's english class. All her friends were excited to see me. She was a big hit in school.
A student in the first row was playing a dot game with his friend - right in front of me - and I stopped and asked him what he was doing. That I wanted to learn. His reaction: Note book closed, red face and everyone in class laughs. He didn't disturb one tiny bit afterwards. Instead he listened and answered questions.
Must admit, this class knew nothing in english.
A break. Teacher's lounge. Lots of cake, coffe, tea - I like this teacher life. I was supposed to go to my next class in 30 minutes, but lost track of time talking to fellow teachers. Fellow - hehe.
Two boys came to the student lounge and said in Polish: Is Ms. from Canada here? and I said, I don't speak in Polish.
So they stood at attention, hands on their sides and one started: We ask Ms. to come to our class.
All of the teachers were shocked! They couldn't believe I had this much power over the students and how they listened. They all thought I had a gift with students.
This class was a bit better, but the girls who talked badly behind my back the other day were there and the girl who purposely hit me when she walked by me was also there. So, I don't forget. I picked on them. I'm evil.
One more class after this. I was exhausted. It was hot, but the last class was my favourite. They all wanted to learn. They were engaged and they were following my orders and my little pronouncation games. They loved it and in the end they all said Thank You.
I was invited for another lesson to actually work with them through exercises. I thought - that would be a lot of fun. I'm also invited to a grade 6 class on Tuesday.
And the teaching vocation has been heard and answered. A new career?
Afterwards, Ola and I got in a train. Went to Kielce for the Off Fashion festival events. First shopping. We bought a number of really awesome outfits for her.
Originally, I was supposed to go to a concert and then a photography exhibit, but I found out there was a fashion show happening.
My friend Jarek came to pick us up. He dropped us off at the fashion show. Felt so like Sex and the City. Got all dressed up! The show was fantastic and the last designer was the best - my type of style. Goth, industrial and edgy. Loved it.
Jarek came back and we walked Ola home and the two of us headed out on the town. Walked through parks, sat in parks, drank beer in beer gardens and ended up at the old theatre cafe where there was a bit of rock music.
I had a fantastic day! The next day, Ola and I are heading back to Bukowa where she has her own festivities.
posted by Anna Kat at 4:36 AM
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