The best part

       I think it has become fairly obvious that I am in love with the Ticos as a people group.  When I began to teach them English and really get to know them, my affection grew even stronger.  They were eager to learn English and earnestly tried their best to grasp what we were teaching.  When it works and a student learns a new word, or they understand the concept of the grammar, it's like a lightbulb turns on and you can see it all over their face.  It's the greatest feeling to be a part of that learning process. TEFL provides free English lessons to anyone in the community who wants to attend, because we student teachers need to practice.  So, yes, those classes are free, but they might just get what they pay for. We are rookies, and although we try our hardest to be good teachers, sometimes things don't go as planned.
       The very first time I taught classes on my own, I was given the upper intermediate class two days in a row.  The lessons were very complicated and the grammar for both days was very close to each other.  I had my class plans laid out, and had practiced numerous times.  During the second day, in the middle of the lesson, I somehow switched back to the grammar from the day before.  They were so confused!  They finally figured out what I was trying to teach them, and they were very gracious about it, but I made it ten times harder for them!  I felt horrible and inadequate.  At my teaching assessment with Drew, I went in and told him what he already knew. "I had a grammar bomb go off in my class today." He consoled me and gave me tips on how to avoid it in the future.
        Not all classes were as serious as that one though.  As part of our learning process, in addition to teaching our own classes, we had to observe and fill out forms, assessing six classes taught by our peers.  We were instructed to sit quietly in the back of the room and "disappear".  The teacher and the students were supposed to forget that we were even there.  We observed in stillness as we watched the effectiveness of our peer teachers.  Part of our technique for teaching vocabulary was to show pictures related to the vocabulary word.  We would then ask concept questions about the picture to draw the word out of the students.  It gave them a chance to generate new speech on their own and let you know what prior knowledge they had about the subject. After doing this 7-10 times, we would have our bank of vocabulary words for the class. One friend's theme for her beginner class, was teaching about fitness.  She was trying to teach them about muscles and had drawn a picture of a huge, buff guy standing on a beach.  She held up the picture and asked, "What do you see?"  A student who was normally shy about speaking english, yelled out..."Steroids!" In the back of the room I looked over at Casey. Our eyes went wide and we looked at one another, trying to contain ourselves, as we wondered how he even knew that word!  We clasped our hands over our mouths, but it was no use, the noise of our laughter spewed out from between our fingers.

me teaching english.  check out the view from class

    

my beginner lesson about gerunds

Darcy captivates her students, as Heidi observes

I taught a conversation class to the upper intermediates
and got to ask ten questions
about living in Quepos. Fascinating!

Rated ML for Mature Language

       Several days into TEFL our heads began to spin. They crammed so much valuable information into the curriculum that we were afraid our heads were going to explode.  They taught us things like classroom management, effective correction, the nine different intelligences of learning styles, how to teach grammar, and so on.  During the last two weeks of TEFL we would actually be teaching Ticos from our community, so it was important that we get this information down pat, especially in regards to lesson planning.  Heidi emphasized that in order to reach a second language learner, one should always consider using meaningful dialogue that is relevant to each particular class, in our lesson planning.  We should be teaching vocabulary with topics and language they can go out and practice using immediately such as, playing a sport, interviewing for a job, dating, etc.   If our lesson plans are meaningful to their lives then their interest level, motivation to learn, and retention will be higher.

       During the morning break, several of my classmates tried their hand at meaningful, relevant dialogue…

day two day

       My TEFL class (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) consists of two instructors, and ten students from all over the US, and one from Australia.  For the next four weeks we would eat, sleep and breathe the power of the English language.  Heidi, the head of our school is not only beautiful but a brilliant educator.  Her favorite thing to do is to teach grammar.  It’s a little crazy how excited she gets about it.  In the beginning I thought she was just trying to pump us up because everyone hates learning it so much, but no.  She really is obsessed with grammar.

       During our second day in class Heidi said we would participate in a beginners class. We, ourselves, would be the students learning very basic English to experience what it was like to be a new learner.  Our ten vocabulary words were things you would find in a house.  The focus for the grammar was using words of location such as in, on, behind, on top of, next to, etc.   Towards the end of class she paired us up, one to one, in order to work together on the Communicative Activity.  This is the part of the lesson where the students combine everything they have learned into one activity that promotes self-generated conversation between the students.  Heidi paired me with Mark.  All I knew about him so far was that he was a really tall guy, and a stand-up comedian from Chicago.  Heidi gave each set of partners a sheet of paper with a small apartment drawn on it.  Then she gave us miniature pictures of objects one would find in an apartment.  The goal was for us to discuss and agree on where we should place these things.  For example, she said, “I’ll put the flowers ON the table.”  To check our true understanding of the words she would say, “Is that ok?”  We replied, “yes.” Then she said, “I’ll put the television IN the refrigerator. Is that ok?”  “No!” We giggled like new learners. “Now it’s time for you to set up your own apartments.

       I looked at Mark. “You know, we haven’t known each other very long. Don’t you think it’s too soon to move in together?”  Mark laughed and said, “Baby I knew the minute I met you that you were the one for me.”  “Awe Marky, you always say the right thing.” Heidi had stopped by our desks to check our progress.  She grinned and said, “Stop trying to solve your moral issues and move in. Now.”

       Five minutes into the activity she asked for volunteers to demonstrate.  Mark raised his hand.  We went forward and began placing the tiny pictures.  One was a floor lamp and Mark said, “Put the lamp BEHIND the chair.”  I said, “Put the dishes IN the sink.”  The next picture was a baby grand piano.  “Mark, you brought the piano?!? You never even play it!”  “But honey, you know I’ve had it since I was a kid.”  I said, “Put that ON Craig’s list, there’s no room!”  Heidi intervened, “You two clowns sit your butts IN your chairs.”  Under her breath she mumbled something about it being a very long four weeks.

the classroom where we learn to be teachers

lesson planning in the lounge...

for hours and hours

teaching practice

TEFL

       Although I would love to spend the rest of my time in Costa Rica doing nothing other than playing, I have another goal to accomplish.  The second “speak” of my journey is English.   Part of the original plan was to become TEFL certified,  (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) which would mean I would be certified and skilled to teach English as a second language anywhere in the world. I wouldn’t need to be able to speak the language of the country I would be teaching in, because I would be speaking English the entire time.  This new skill in my tool belt would allow me to travel anywhere in the world and earn a living teaching English.  The four week certification course can be taken in many locations all over the world, even in the United States, but aha! There is a training center in Quepos. (not a coincidence)

       I was sitting on my terrace with my laptop, filling out the application for certification.  I’d always heard this was a very intense program, with lots of homework, lesson planning, and very little sleep. There was actually a place in the application where we had to assure them that we were of sound body and mind, and all of our domestic affairs were in order, so we would be able to complete the course. Yikes, this could be scarier than a 90 ft. repel drop.

       I sat with my finger on the send button.  Hmmm…  this means I would be giving up 4 weeks; one complete month in paradise. I wouldn’t be enjoying my view, my hammock, or my peace and quiet.  I only have a short time here.  Did I really want to give it up to sit in a classroom? Could I give up trips down to the beach, and watching the monkeys come home every night?

       Now, I do realize that none of you are crying for me right now.  I know this sounds ridiculous, as I put it into print, but still, this is my time - for the very first time.  No. I must go forward.  TEFL was the plan, and it is a good plan, a worthy goal and part of a bigger dream. Paradise will still be here, but this opportunity for me, may not.

       I took my left hand and quickly smacked it down on top of that finger. Before I could change my mind, the application went out.

TEFL in Quepos

Our building with classrooms

view from one of the classrooms

another view from class, the mountains instead of the beach

OK, so this is not so bad

recess

       There are so many cool things to do in Costa Rica, that I could live here for a very long time and never get through the list.   There are tours available for excursions to river raft, kayak, zip line, and repel.  You can go to see the active volcano, hot springs, a cloud forest, surf, and more.  One of my favorites though, is the simplest.  Running on the beach in the solitude of dawn creates an explosion of joy in my heart, and I look forward to this several times a week. 

       If you ask me about my favorite play day in Manuel Antonio, it would be the day some of my friends and I hiked to the waterfall.  It was a rugged hike about 45 minutes into the rain forest.  It followed a stream, and much of the time we were hiking in the stream itself.  You couldn’t find this waterfall on your own. You could only get there if someone took you who knew where it was.  There were little pieces of cloth tied to the trees, which a previous hiker must have placed to find their way out.  This wasn’t a tourist destination.  It was mostly the Tico’s own beautiful secret.  This is what I consider to be quintessential Costa Rica. The waterfall was about 25-30 ft. high, and once you are there you can jump off into the pool that swirls below.  Keep your shoes on though because then you have to climb back up to do it again.  It was Katrina’s birthday and we stayed for four hours that day because we had paradise all to ourselves.

       My next favorite day was to a 90 ft waterfall. This was an amazing adventure with a professional guide. We climbed up the middle of the waterfall and repelled down.  It was frightening and exhilarating all at the same time! The way down the mountain afterwards was a free fall jump of about 30 feet. Scary! They did not tell me about that little fact in the beginning. As a part of the excursion, the tour guide took us to his home afterwards, where his wife prepared a most delicious meal for us.  I highly recommend you put this on your “must do” list if you are ever fortunate enough to find yourself in the area.

       And then there is always the dancing…

favorite day

view from the top

two friends make the climb back up

my villa

 It took me all of 10 minutes to unpack and move into my small villa on the hill.  After all, the sum total of my material belongings consists of one bag and a backpack.

And there I was.

No phone, no Internet, no way to connect with the outside world.

I plopped myself down in my hammock for two glorious hours and enjoyed the view.  The warm sun and the quiet were healing.  The scenery changed as clouds floated across the sky and jungle animals wandered below me across the top of the canopy.  This was the vision I had as a place to restore my soul.  My villa was so much more than I could have hoped for.

Even in paradise one must eat. So I dragged myself out of my cocoon and made a grocery list of the things I would need.  I walked to the market not realizing I could only purchase half of the items because then I would have to carry them home.  I decided to reduce the list to essentials.  Eggs, bread, cheese, peanut butter and Imperials.  Back at home I went outside to eat on my terrace.  Out there I had a table for 6, which I could fill up with new friends, laughter and food. This is where I would spend my days. 

I received my certificate from David for completing my Spanish classes along with the others.  That night I hosted a good-bye party at my new home for everyone in the Academia D’Amore  Spanish school.  They came early enough to see the view.  We laughed and then we cried.

The first, of three “Speaks” in my journey, is complete.  

Now it is time to “Play” for a while...

the most beautiful spot in the world

my villa

good-bye spanish friends. sniff sniff

Moving Day

My Spanish classes were ending and so was my term with Bileida and Anibal. It was time for me to leave the nest and look for my own place to live. I made appointments and looked at several places that would suffice, but I just wasn’t finding the right place and time was running short. At school during break, David inquired about how the search was going. “Exactly what is it you are looking for?” He asked. “Well, the vision I had in my head when I imagined this trip was a place with a view of the beach, and a hammock, but I can’t seem to find it.” He said, (and he is very wise), “Don’t settle. Why shouldn’t you have your dream? You should. And so should others, but I am afraid they usually give up too easily.” “Thank you for the encouragement. I’ll keep looking.”

We all went back to class and Charlie announced that we would read the local magazine that had just come out, and discuss it in Spanish. He flipped open the latest issue of the Quepolandia, and it landed on a full-page ad about a villa for rent in Manuel Antonio. Charlie shouted, “Lucetta, look! It has a view and a hammock!” It seemed really nice, so I told Charlie I would call about it that afternoon. He said, “I think you should call right now before it’s gone.” PamEla offered up her phone, and I had an appointment to see it that very afternoon.

The villa was beautiful, affordable, and the view was stunning. The place was set up on a hillside overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. It was fully furnished, and when I toured the bedroom I went to the closet to check it out, and there, where my clothes would have been, was a washer and a dryer! “Hot water too?” I asked. “Yes.” “I’ll take it!” I yelled immediately. “I’ll take it today and pay you whatever you need for deposit.” Lineth, (my new land lord) laughed and said. “Why don’t you move instead in two days? I have a lady coming to clean up the remodeling dust.” “Si, claro, gracias!“ Of course, thank you!

On Friday afternoon I stopped by the farmers market in Quepos on the way home. I bought an Orchid and some fresh pastries as a gift for Bileida and Anibal. I packed my two bags and said good-bye to my tiny room with the slatted door. I was sad that this phase of my journey was coming to an end, but excited to have my own space. I went downstairs with my gifts to find that a large group of extended family had gathered to say their farewells – even though I was only moving a few miles away. Bileida and I both had tears in our eyes as we hugged. This had truly been a special experience for me. Anibal hugged me, laughed, and called me Gato Negro one more time. I worked my way around the room with kisses on the cheek for everyone. The last ones in line were my Tico brother Michael, and his wife. Michael hugged me and said, “My parents want me to tell you they adore you. They say you have been a wonderful guest and you must come back to their home for dinner very often.”

He grinned.

You speak English



VERY

GOOD

ENGLISH

my english speaking brother and mom, Bileida

the view from my terrace