So, I've been teaching English all week and I've been enjoying it! I've got a great ESL manual that has step by step lesson plans, so I read through those, make some notes, and then make a powerpoint with pictures and key words. It's pretty fun. The only downside right now is that not enough lost people are coming. Sometimes I wonder if getting a degree in education would have served me better...I'm just riding on the "teacher" that is naturally in my blood from my great-grandma, my dad, my mom, and my sister!
Speaking of college degrees....I was blessed by a recent meeting with some orphanage workers. I talked (through Gretchen's translation of course) to 3 really great workers who "get it". They have a spiritual component to their program.....this particular orphanage serves kids who are physically disabled or ill. I of course informed them of my Social Work degree and "background" working with "orphans". They were delighted to hear about this and I hope I can be of some kind of assistance to them in the future. It really did my heart good to meet people who care about meeting spiritual and social needs!
Since I'm teaching English 5 times a week now, I will only be having Armenian lessons 1 time a week. (My English class times and my Armenian lessons were basically at the same time, with no room for changes). I'm working on learning a long list of antonyms for tomorrow's lesson. There are many words on the list I know and use, but I really only KNOW 1 word of the pair. For instance, I have no trouble remembering the word for beautiful, but I can never seem to remember "ugly". My language is still on a very basic level. I've gotta just keep on studying and speaking! I've had some strange experiences where I say something very simple such as "What's your name?" or to a child, "How old are you?" and every once in a while I get a total blank look or they say "What?!" I think to myself, "Self, I said that right! what's the problem?!" Maybe it's a matter of accent and they are just not used to hearing outsiders speak their language. Anywho......I've gotta keep getting better! So, I thought that homework was finished when I graduated college, but I was so wrong! In fact, learning never stops for a M.
4 comments:
Coupled with the fact that you have not only a genetic disposition toward teaching but also tons of real life examples; therefore, you are almost in the "mold" of a teacher. You can be a teacher without having that degree or certification. That's on paper, but what you do is important. Did Paul have a degree? More importantly though you have a message that you enthusiastically want to tell others,and you do so in such a way that it makes each person feel connected and important. When I was in GA's we sang "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations". When I saw you teach at Tulakogee last summer I was in awe... this was a teacher with important information that she wanted to share with others in any creative way possible. I hope that the orphanage will also be a way to minister. Your beautiful voice would bring a sense of peace to those children. In fact, you seem to enjoy and relate to all ages and cultures. I'm proud of you!
It's amazing how God sometimes leads us to an area of ministry or work that has little to nothing to do with a degree that we worked so hard to get. Yet, God uses those opportunities in life to give us the skills we need without us even realizing it. I have two BAs in music. Yet God used my Music Ed degree and the ministry opportunities I had thoughout college to prepare me for youth ministry. Keep working hard on that language. Even when YOU may not be understood, HE will.
The Education Degree only teaches theory in general, thats why intern teaching is so important. Most of what I learned over a period of years was learned on site. Trial and error. No two teachers teach the same, and they all figure out thier gifts and go with it.
You are a very special person who has many gifts to work with. you will figure out a path and soon and feel comfortable. The most important thing is to connect and let them know how much you care about them and your subject. Love(An Old Ex Art Teacher)
Well, it may not be the Armenian language that makes you hard to understand... I, many times, have looked at you and said... "huh?!?"
Love you!
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