Andrushka

I love new classes. Meeting them for the first time, getting to know each other, scaring them with new vocabulary and grammar on the first day. It's so much fun. Last night was an opportunity to meet my new class at Southeast Community College. On the first night, I like to have people talk to each other then introduce their partner (WWMBD - "What Would Mr. Blake Do?"). Incidentally, this is the first time I've ever taught Colombians (I collect student nationalities like some people collect commemorative flatware; I've had Poland, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Bosnia, Belarus, Vietnam, Japan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Sudan, Congo, South Africa, Ethiopia, Canada, the US, and now Columbia). After introductions, I like to jump in and talk about the vocabulary we need to know in order to learn a language: noun, verb, auxiliary, modal, infinitive, participle, adverb, adjective, pronoun, conjunction, etc. The students usually know the basic ones, but it still ends up being a bit overwhelming, just as the first day of class should be. At least I'm not as demanding as my Lesen und Aussprach teacher at Bogi, the dapper Herr Felix, who made us memorize the anatomy of the mouth auf Deutsch. By the time we're done discussing subjects, objects, and objects of prepositions, they're usually in desperate need of a break. Last night, our break happened to coincide with the break Elizabeth gave her level four students. These were my students from last semester, and I was secretly elated when they wanted to talk to me. It's not like I have control over their grades anymore, they just like me. It's a good feeling, this being liked. I love old classes. As I talked to Francisco from last semester, some of my new students kept glancing over, wondering who this person was who talked to the teacher like they're old friends. They just don't realize that in another three months, we'll be old friends too.

Posted by Scott on 30 March 2006 at 3/30/2006 11:50:00 AM | Permalink