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