Mega Lazy!

Well not in my day to day life but in keeping this blog up to date. Apologies to those who enjoy the regular read. I’ll really try to make a greater effort to write more.

I guess lots to comment on so I’ll keep it brief and to the point. (Don’t think that’s possible for me but I’ll try)

Philippines
Went to Manila a few weeks back with April for a 5 day break. April was there for work but I tagged along to enjoy a few days rest by the pool and do some cheap shopping. Was a really relaxing holiday and made me want summer to come quickly. Even April got a few days to chill out. We chose not to venture out into Manila at all instead using our free time to sip cocktails by the pool… was AWESOME!

Weather
Shanghai is really starting to warm up. Tomorrow’s temperature is predicted to rise to 31 and this weekend we are looking at consecutive days above 32! April’s weather has been nothing short of stunning. Blue skies, light wind, low to mid 20s and low humidity making it similar to a Melbourne autumn. May brings warmer weather and I think June brings the high humidity with the rest of summer being absolutely scorching. I finish up at school on June 19th so two months holidays here I come!

Teaching
In my previous post I discussed in length my teaching and experiences. Well, since then I have resorted mainly to ‘force’ in getting what I want. Some of the students I teach are quite rude, uninterested and quite lazy which is no surprise when you are 14 years old. Unfortunately I have to teach them. When I get sick of a student’s behavior usually what I do is pick them up by their collar and lightly push them towards to the door of the classroom, throw them out and leave them there for the rest of the lesson to be seen by all the teachers passing by. Upon making them leave, I swiftly slam the door as loud as I can which brings a complete silence over the class as I make an example of the ‘naughty’ student. Other times I throw students books out the door, throw their maths, science or any other books they shouldn’t be writing in on the floor with an over exaggerated Shane Warne flick of the wrist. The action always receives the response I am hoping for, silence. On the matter of respect, I really doubt my ways bring that, but short term thinking, I get what I want and that’s how it works here in some classes. Quite often I have to dish out massive servings to blank faces. Sometimes I wonder why I do it, but it makes me feel better, lol. Quite often word gets back to their classroom teacher and students come to my office in tears apologising. Obviously their teacher must have tore them to shreds and when I mean by ‘tore them to shreds’ I can say the teachers here really bust a kid down when ‘he’ has been ‘naughty’ with a 30 ~ 45 minute self esteem “you’re life is over if this continues” crushing session.
So there lies my first four months in Chinese classrooms, quite the learning curve ay?
On a positive note so as not to make you all think I am struggling to survive here, many lessons have been outstanding and a real credit to the kids. I have shown them Aussie Rules Footy and we have completed quizzes and talked about the game. Later in the term I may even play a game or two. The students were asked to describe the game using as many adjectives as they can. Here is what they came up with:

- Dangerous
- Rough
- Fast
- Exciting
- Funny
- Interesting
- Enjoyable
- Silly
- Rude (a players shorts went up his a$$ and gave him a wedgie)

The students were utterly fascinated at the tackling and the boys were in fits of laughter watching the players grab and throw each other to the ground!
Just this week I am having the students present their stories they created in groups. Some of the stories which are read using a narrator and involve characters which are acted out in front of the class have been outstanding. The level of English, thought and creativity has been great to see and demonstrates the efforts some kids are willing to put in. Maybe I should have filmed some… maybe next time.

Back in a week or two… I promise.

Being back is a bit weird...

Well,

Having been back in Aussie for about 2 weeks, there was a bit of reverse culture shock that I had to go through. Just talking with some mates recently too, they noted that after you have been on an amazing journey like this, you want to come back and tell everyone about it. But, what you find, is that people don't really find it that interesting. Do they care to hear about 'people having to use rocks to wipe their bum?' or 'a stranger inviting you into their house and forcing you to join him for a meal, even when they hardly have enough for themselves?' Not really. I guess it's more interesting to me because I have actually been there, and actually seen it.

But there is a good point in this for teaching too. If, for example, I brought some pictures to show, or some local music to listen to, or some food to taste, would people be more interested? Perhaps. By stimulating more senses do people become more interested? And could you use this to engage more students?

I'm in the middle of trying to make a video documentary to send to Matthewos for him to keep as a record of the work he is doing there. I just feel lucky to have been able to be a part of what is happening and to have the chance to learn so much about education. When it's done (it's not that easy, hey) i'm going to ship some copies to Eritrea, but I might also send some to UNESCO and UNICEF to see if they are interested in funding him. Maybe even the SBS/ABC??

So Steve, i'll be back in Africa, Ghana this time, in September. In the meantime, I might be able to fill in for someone at the Maths Association of Victoria, which will help me put some money away. How are things with you?