Vietnam Team Journal


Monday, March 5, 2012

First Day of Teaching


We all got up early and had breakfast on the top floor.  Nice meal.  Enjoyed looking at all the rooftops.  Was cloudy and misty.  About 7:30 a.m. we had a short meeting.  James Heiss read his report and his quote.

Next:  A long 45-minute crazy taxi ride to school....an out-of-mind experience - the bikes, the cars, the motorbikes, the people....and all the sights.

At the school, there was a simple welcome reception with the headmaster.  Had tea and got flowers.  Floors were slippery - all marble.  It's a very large, 7-story school.  This was International Women's Day.  We had two school assemblies in the large school outdoor courtyard.  Hundreds of kids on little plastic stools.  Two programs - lower elementary and middle school.... Saw dancing, heard poems and singing. Program was too long.... Next to the teacher's lounge where we had a short planning meeting.

We visited several classrooms - lots of moving around and the afternoon is sort of a whirl now.  Twenty-eight to 30 kids in small rooms.  Colorful - 2 to 3 teachers in each room in grades 1, 2, 3.

It's busy here.  Students are peppy, spirited and happy.  Students studying English -  I thought the lessons were too hard, in my opinion.

We all took part and shared experiences.  David played "Hangman" with the kids.  David also directed a game regarding "countable" and "non-countable" nouns.

Had a nice lunch with our new staff.  Had coffee across the street.  David James Heiss finally after some coordination and help, got his much-needed new pants. 

School ended at 4 p.m.....way too late from my point of view.  Got taxi.... ride home took almost 45 minutes (to hotel).  Back in hotel- we rested. 
- Jack

No comments: