La semaine dernière

LP and I got our schedules changed, so last week was more or less a continuation of the transition of starting this position (although it has now been almost a month since we started our jobs). But, here’s a bit of what I was up to:

I’m in a fourth grade English period every Tuesday, so when I was there, we were reviewing the homework they had done the night before (it was spelling). I don’t know if it’s because they’re a bit older, but they seem especially apathetic. No one was very into volunteering to participate, and sometimes I just wanted to ask, “Who here actually wants to learn this language?” I feel like those that aren’t interested are just a waste of my time and that of their peers’, and what’s unfortunate is that it’s not just that group. Many of the younger children are also totally unresponsive, and it’s not because they’re shy. Frankly, I just don't get it.

Speaking of the other kids, with the second-graders I had one-on-one time with them to practice the questions they’ll have on their oral exam (proctored by Trinity College London). In addition, we’ve been reviewing all together as a class the days of the week, months of the year, the seasons, colors, and rooms in a school. The third-graders have mostly been reading aloud to me. What I’ve come to notice is that there is a very large gap in the students’ proficiencies (at all levels). Either they are doing well and have pretty much mastered that which they have been taught, or they understand/can say little to nothing. It’s quite frustrating, and I’m not sure why this is the case. Anyway, tomorrow begins another semana, and who knows what that will entail..!