After 2 days of teaching it's time for a two-week vacation

When I arrived in Saint Fargeau, I was a little surprised to learn that I would only be teaching two days per week. The other three days have been granted for me to plan lessons, complete the required assignments for the on-line component of the TAB program, and to explore the local culture. I was also (pleasantly) surprised to learn that after teaching a grand total of two days, I would have a two and a half week vacation period. This is how the French roll......

Tomorrow I'm saying "Au Revoir" to France for the moment and travelling to the UK for a 16-day tour. My trip itinerary includes: Paris - London - Oxford - Northampton - Birmingham - Liverpool - Buckinghamshire - London - Paris. I'll be doing some solo travelling as well as staying with fantastic friends. I'll be seeing the birthplace of my mom and her family, and the home of the Beatles. I'll also be checking out some of the famous sites where Harry Potter was filmed :) I've never been to the UK before and am so excited for this unexpected opportunity. Thanks in advance to my wonderful friends who will be hosting me!

In other news, my first two days of teaching were very successful, albeit slightly exhausting. Each day I teach 6 - 45 minute classes at the elementary level. Luckily for me, all of the classes are at roughly the same english level, regardless of their grade. The students here know some basic greetings (Hello, My name is...), numbers (mostly 1-20), general niceties (good afternoon, how are you), and a spattering of colours and fruits. I have been given a very general curriculum guide, as well as a wish that the students begin to learn conversational english over the course of 7 classes. 

During my classes this week, the teachers watched for content as well as lesson delivery. I brought my own style of teaching to the classroom, sitting with the students in a circle, communicating openly and patiently, and encouraging active participation. In my English class, I want the students not to have to worry about being scolded or humiliated for a wrong answer (which I have seen here in numerous classrooms). I want the students to engage with the language, and to risk making mistakes in order to practice speaking. 

I told the students that all of the things I wanted them to do and practice were things that I was doing myself in order to improve my French. I told them that they could help me with my French as much as I could help them with their English. The students liked this, and I could feel them open up to me as I shared how we were all going through the same experience of learning a new language. In my teaching practice I want my students to know that they have much to offer to the classroom community, and that the flow of information does not always go from teacher to student. This is a concept that is not embraced within the French education system, but I am thrilled to be inviting these ideas into my TAB setting.