I started a little late again today. I ate breakfast, got dressed, and left for school. On Wednesdays I go to the school here in Cosenza first. I started with Valeria's class and we talked about going to college in the U.S. We discussed differences between Universities and colleges; majors; standardized testing; the concept of G.P.A.s. I think some of them were bored, but others were really interested. We agreed that tomorrow I would find some sort of website or something that we could go to the lab and look at. It was a simple and short class, but it was good!!
After class I talked to Valeria about the meeting with the headmistress regarding extra lessons for some of the other English classes, especially the upper level classes. She said that we would meet and discuss times and payment, and that they would have me sign another contract. The lessons would not start until after Christmas, and she would also let her students know that I am available for some private lessons.
Next up was Rosina's class, and I was a little nervous because I did not have anything truly prepared for them. So, we started with reviewing some things they knew about Thanksgiving from our lesson. They were so shy to speak, but I tried to encourage them. I explained again that I am just as nervous to speak Italian to them, and they started to open up a bit. From here, the class went REALLY WELL. I started asking them what sort of jobs they would like to have and did they plan to go to a university. Most of them said yes to a university and so we started talking about the jobs they want. They listed things like: doctor, lawyer, biologist, psychologist, soccer player, basketball player, and a few others. None of them wanted to be teachers, but could not really tell me why. So then I asked them if they thought it was important to learn English; why do they think it is important to learn English. The teacher spoke up and said that they have to learn English because it is part of their curriculum. So again I asked them, why is it important then? Why should they even try to learn the language? No one could really answer, so I prompted them with the jobs:
1. If you are a lawyer, just in Italy...why is it important to know English? If you are only working in Italy. They said nothing, so I offered: well, what if you have to deal with the United States, or Great Britain?? They all nodded and said yes. Sad that I was thinking of Amanda Knox.
2. If you are an Italian doctor; only practicing medicine in Italy. Why might English be important to you? Again, nothing. So, I suggested that a lot of current research is published in English, and therefore they might need to be able to read it or understand the gist of it.
3. They said that a psychologist needs to understand the terms that are written in English
4. Then I thought I could throw them off, and I was not sure of the answer I would get, but I asked about the soccer player. They informed me that in the champions league (I think) that you can only speak to the referee in English...ahh...further proving the point I was trying to make.
So, once we had gone through these different things, I asked again, "so do you think it is important to learn English??" They all agreed that it was, and that it would be necessary to know some English. So, I told them that I was here for 7 more months, and my purpose was to help improve their English and conversational skills. I told them that I wanted it to be fun and we could do many different things with this! I said that we could learn through presentations, music, conversation, games, etc. They seemed excited when I said some of these things, and so I was feeling like we were going to have some success from here on out. I explained again that I am not there to judge them or grade them; Rosina interjected that she was there to grade them, and that maybe she could sometimes leave me alone with them so that they would feel more free to talk. I thought this was a good idea, and perhaps some days we can do this. I had to explain the phrase, "I won't bite!!"
Then, I told them that I might want to take each week in December to do a different Christmas theme. We decided that next week we would talk about Christmas songs. They would share their songs and we could do some translating. They are going to translate one of their traditional songs from dialect to Italian to English. THEN..we changed our minds and are going to do that another week. So, their assignment for Dec. 5th is to bring a favorite, traditional Italian/Calabrian Christmas recipe. They have to bring it in Italian and English, with the ingredients and directions on how to cook it. I told them that it has to be written on a separate piece of paper so I can keep it! I figure this does a few things: 1. They practice English 2. They were excited...and when we are excited about things we put our heart into it 3. I get a lot of recipes!
When class was over, they asked what I was doing for Christmas and could I hang out with them?? YES, I can, and I will. They told em that I was very nice, and I was so touched by their kindness. I love to see them reacting positively to me because I so desperately want to reach out to them. I want them to enjoy my time here; I do not want to be one more "annoying" thing that they have to deal with! I want the days that I come to be days that they look forward to!! When I told Rosina that I had to go because I was walking to the other school in Castrolibero, she offered to drive me because she has a two hour break on Wednesdays! While I like the walk, as it is getting colder it is good to know that the offer is there.
During our drive, she told me that she wants me to meet her son's girlfriend because she is very nice and speaks English. I love that the Italians are always wanting to introduce me to people! It is so comforting to know that they care so much and they want me to be comfortable here in Cosenza. They are so concerned about me being here alone and here at Christmas. She also said that she has a friend, Angela, who is a doctor and wants private English lessons...whoa...intimidating!!! I told her that I could talk to the woman and see if I could help her. She said that she was sure I would not mind the extra money. So, I am not sure what I agreed to exactly, but Ill gauge the situation when and if I meet her. So, then she left me at the school.
So, because I had some time to kill before class, I was able to make copies of the wordsearch for Angelino's class and chill for a minute.
Francesca's class was actually successful today! I was really excited! I did use the power point I had thrown together the night before with pictures of families doing different activities and of different backgrounds, and were different sizes. I was able to ask the students if they ever cook together with their families and they said that they rarely do this. They explained that they might do it at Christmas and their fathers rarely do this. It is a cultural thing for the women to do all of the cooking. One told me that his mother would break his head if he interfered with the cooking. They told me that when they have picnics, it is usually in the mountains. Then, I got to the section of the family slideshow that had families from tv, and my first one was about the Duggars (19 Kids and Counting). They could NOT believe the number of children nor could they believe that she birthed all of them. They were really confused by the reality part of it because to them reality tv is like "Big Brother" and always a competition. They thought this family was competting against each other for something, so that took some explaining. They said that it was too many kids, and some wanted to be the oldest in that family and some thought it would be fun to be in the middle. I showed them pictures of the Brady Bunch, Cosby family, Modern Family, and they were REALLY excited to see the picture of "The Simpsons". "The Simpsons" are extremely popular here in Italy, and they said they would want to be part of that family because the dad, Homer, is so funny! They said that the show comes on every day at 2:30 and they watch it. They did a great job of discussing the verbs and family vocabulary. I was really proud of them, and they paid attention about 80% of the time, and they were engaged and responsive!! I was so excited for two positive days with them!! What an answer to a prayer!!
Next up was Angelino's class. My favorite, E., immediately came up and gave me a big hug. What a way to start the class!! Yay! Then, I had to apologize to Tony, kid from Wisconsin, for how boring these basic vocabulary lessons must be for him. Then, I gave them the wordsearch and started making the English and Italian columns on the board. One girl looked up and said, "I like this!!" Yay! Success!! Then, we started discussing the terms, and I tried to talk to them about their families. It was not quite as successful as I'd hoped, and I did have to stop and have a talk with them about rudeness and respecting each other, but I cannot help but love this group! These students are so affectionate and interesting and interested and kind, that I cannot help but love them. Angelino says they act this way because it is the last hour of the day; I say that as long as teachers make excuses for the behaviors, the behaviors will continue. When they had packed up their stuff, a few came up and wanted to take pictures with me on their phones. Then, E. and some others invited me to come to their houses one day! They are too sweet and they seem to like me, which makes me so happy because I do really like them.
When class was out, I headed out in the mass of students. I passed E. and some others and spoke to them one last time and then started my walk home. I stopped and bought a half thing of wheat bread and two Christmas sweets. Then I had lunch, did my Bible study (which was right on with what I needed today...it was about David and Jonathan...one of the examples of true love, friendship, etc. in the Bible), and took a brief nap because I could barely stay awake. I talked to April on skype, my daddy on skype briefly, and planned lessons. I also wrote some blogs, but mostly stressed about life. I am quite overwhelmed at the moment. For dinner I had pasta and veggies, then planned some more. My neck and shoulders were hurting from so much stress and tension that I had to lay down and take meds to ease the pain...so, I worked from bed...
BEST THING OF THE DAY: Tonight I FINALLY got to talk to my bestest friend, friend soulmate, and love, Erin! I have not really heard her voice since I left the U.S., and it was so amazing to talk to her. Even better, we were able to talk for over an hour!! This was such a special gift and something I really needed! Life felt so much more normal once we talked. I feel like we talked about so much, but then not much at all and we need weeks to catch up. However, it was as if no time had passed and words cannot describe how much I love her!! Simply...well...there are no words. I was so energized and excited about this, that it was hard to sleep! I finally talked to Erin...life. is. normal. again. the end!
So then I shared my excitement with Nick and then went to sleep!
I TALKED TO ERIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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