Namaste!
My second week in Delhi I spent focused on my working environment, and it's been very rewarding. I know most of the kids' names, and I'm getting to know the teachers as well. Practically, I am pounding out spelling with the kids, which is difficult work but necessary for them at this stage. Directions are difficult, so I use motions and games for control! Simon says has them knowing the names of body parts, and other lessons I teach with the help of printed off pictures and books. Thinking of the kids and their long term development, I have worked hard to include group activities and small leadership opportunities. Hopefully they will all remember the vocabulary -we will see when they take the quiz next week- but even if they don't, I want my classes to have learned perseverance and team work, and leave more confident in their abilities.
Everything changed mid-week when my musical skills were found out. Since, I haven't taught a class without music being involved. All four classes are learning spelling words having to do with music, and they are singing along and learning about new instruments. I lead class with a tenor Uke that I brought with me. "Ukulele" even the teachers can't pronounce. We've settled on calling it a little guitar. My favorite activity has to do with the emotions: happy, sad, angry etc. I play a song while the kids close their eyes and listen. Then they must explain, in English of course, how the song made them feel.
I've also been working with the adult vocational English course. After my regular classes, I sit in and converse with the older students and help with grammar and pronunciation. They're lovely young adults and have great aspirations. I brought along my favorite board game, bananagrams. That's been an awesome teaching tool for grammar and word formation.
Outside of work I'm getting used to finding my way around, and this weekend Selena and I had great holiday in Rishikesh! The Ganges is beautiful, and I had a bath after being pulled in by a very friendly Indian lady. We survived the first hard rain I've experienced since arriving, and enjoyed a ridiculous off road night bus ride. Luckily we arrived back in Delhi safely.
I miss hot showers and supplied toilet paper. Also, I will never be a vegetarian.
Jess
Rishikesh.
Bananagrams!
The Fifth class girls.
The Ganges light ceremony.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI wrote this really thoughtful comment and then it didn't post! Ugh.... technology.
Anyway- short and sweet- you look like you're doing a wonderful job. Gestures and music are a wonderful way to aid retention, especially with vocabulary. Try new things because this is the time to do it! Singing is a wonderful idea. I can tell you're truly passionate. When I taught kindergarten I made rings of "sight" words or our vocabulary words. Some students shared, some had their own. When we had free time they could play "teacher" and quiz each other or themselves. They loved it and it gave them responisibility. Some did it for fun on the playground. Cheap and easy, even if you had one or two sets. This link is good if you have an Internet connection:
http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/staff/boldtkatherine/ELLKids.htm
Looking forward to your next post! Awesome pictures!
Best,
Tammy