First Day Teaching
July 11th, 2005
I had the opportunity of meeting my students for the first time today. Out of over 2,000 students, 30 were chosen to participate in the Reading and Writing Workshop to be implemented for the next 3 weeks. After about 10 days of touring and relaxing around the beautiful country of Ghana, I am ready to begin my teaching here!!! (My body is slowly becoming mush...not used to sitting and relaxing as much as I have been......though definitely feeling good to do so!)
First impressions of my students. Well-mannered, eager, motivated and definitely curious as to who this "obroni" (white person) teacher is and why she came to be a part of their school. Realizing that I speak much faster and a whole lot different than most Ghanaians here, it was quickly pointed out by one of the school teachers to make sure my English is slow and clear. Just as I tell my students how to speak back in NYC, I too am taking on that role. I think I succeeded, well, at least in speaking slow and clear. Though, I'm not sure if it did much help, since the look on most of my student's faces said anything but "understood". With time, I know we will get used to each other's pronunciation and usage of the English language. As I told my students, either I will speak like a true Ghanaian after the three weeks are up or my students will be talking like true New Yorkers. I think they wouldn't mind having a slight NY accent! ")
After introducing myself (a New Yorker, avid cat lover, vegan, twin, etc)...it was now their turn to introduce themselves to me. As a way of assessing their writing, I had them each write a letter to me, introducing themselves. They were free to include any information that they would like me to know about them. From first glance, students in Ghana have much better handwriting than students in NY. Neat handwriting is greatly emphasized here...something my students back in NY could work on. (to my students in NY reading this...sorry guys! :)
Looking forward to the next three weeks...and having my students work in a way that will improve and/or strengthen their current English skills....to benefit them in the near and far future!
Me Akwaba....(I'll be back....in the Twi language)
I had the opportunity of meeting my students for the first time today. Out of over 2,000 students, 30 were chosen to participate in the Reading and Writing Workshop to be implemented for the next 3 weeks. After about 10 days of touring and relaxing around the beautiful country of Ghana, I am ready to begin my teaching here!!! (My body is slowly becoming mush...not used to sitting and relaxing as much as I have been......though definitely feeling good to do so!)
First impressions of my students. Well-mannered, eager, motivated and definitely curious as to who this "obroni" (white person) teacher is and why she came to be a part of their school. Realizing that I speak much faster and a whole lot different than most Ghanaians here, it was quickly pointed out by one of the school teachers to make sure my English is slow and clear. Just as I tell my students how to speak back in NYC, I too am taking on that role. I think I succeeded, well, at least in speaking slow and clear. Though, I'm not sure if it did much help, since the look on most of my student's faces said anything but "understood". With time, I know we will get used to each other's pronunciation and usage of the English language. As I told my students, either I will speak like a true Ghanaian after the three weeks are up or my students will be talking like true New Yorkers. I think they wouldn't mind having a slight NY accent! ")
After introducing myself (a New Yorker, avid cat lover, vegan, twin, etc)...it was now their turn to introduce themselves to me. As a way of assessing their writing, I had them each write a letter to me, introducing themselves. They were free to include any information that they would like me to know about them. From first glance, students in Ghana have much better handwriting than students in NY. Neat handwriting is greatly emphasized here...something my students back in NY could work on. (to my students in NY reading this...sorry guys! :)
Looking forward to the next three weeks...and having my students work in a way that will improve and/or strengthen their current English skills....to benefit them in the near and far future!
Me Akwaba....(I'll be back....in the Twi language)
posted by Cari G. @ 4:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home