Monday, February 17, 2014

Teaching Update

I wanted to give a brief update on my actual teaching here. My strategy is one that is continually evolving---I have a very diverse classroom with varying comprehension of English and have had to do quite a bit of adjusting. The Slovakians are quite outgoing, a little chatty, and seem to have little difficulty in adjusting to an American speech pattern. They are all women and one man---the somewhat overwhelmed at times Matej.  The Russians are a mixed group of women with varying personalities, outgoing to very shy, from two different campuses. They are beginning to get comfortable with me I think.
My Chinese students are delightful but challenging for me. Linguistically the Chinese speech pattern is difficult for me. I've always prided myself on the ability to use student's real names, not some American equivalent, but some names are so similar, and my pronounciation is apparently so bad--I have now resorted to using English nicknames for some. These students seem actually relieved I am doing so. In terms of general communication, conversations are also somewhat difficult. My speech confounds them at times and my ears just do not pick up their inflections well. A few of them are very inclined to say "yes" all the time which can be disconcerting if the answer is really "no". We've had a couple of brief group presentations on culture of specific countries---and I have been a bit frustrated in my lack of ability to get the students to dig deeper on cultural cues....for example, if Bolivian mountain women wear bowler hats, why is that relevant? What opportunities could be developed by one knowing this? I should state rather clearly that I feel this is my shortcoming---I need to be more clear and more creative in my instruction. We've also had a lively debate on whether "free trade' is good or bad. I think that went well. They're also following stock markets which I think is beginning to intrigue them.
What is rewarding for me is that some are beginning to come up to me after class and declare some entrepreneurial interest---beautiful!
I think they now have some text access and it is my intention to give them a written final exam covering basic concepts as well as geography.
Just a note here---in Russia, exams are oral---a series of questions from the teacher on an individual basis. I will not do this, but the prospect intrigues me.

I see these vehicles all over Saratov; sometimes by official types, ambulances, police. I like their tough appearance.

 

Maybe it is because I'm a business guy, but I love signs in other countries.

 

My Concert Invitation and American Flag for Hockey from Kcyusha.

 

10 Rouble commemorative coin--a gift from Dmitri.