First rainy day in Radom! Went to the market this morning with Heather for some things. 5 tomatoes, 4 big apples, a cucumber and a red pepper cost me 5 zloty only...that's a little less than $2!! Amazing? I think so. The women still wear the highest of high heels even in the rain. Impressive. Quite.
Yesterday was my first day of my own classes! Things got completely rearranged, so I do not in fact teach in Zwolen and Pionki. Instead, Mondays and Fridays I'll be in Kozienice (another small town, about 40 minutes away, population 30000), and Tuesdays through Thursdays I'll be in Radom.
So my classes yesterday. I taught for 5 straight hours! My first class was 7-8 year olds. They were so enthusiastic and excited and wonderful! I had lots of fun with them. And they weren't shy to speak as they have been at English College before. They were little darlings. My second class was 3 boys, about 16 years old. This class is 90 minutes. They are considered upper-intermediate. They flew through the activities I had planned so the last 35 or so minutes I asked them fun questions. They all had quite elaborate answers. These boys are smart. For instance, I asked if they could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Their answers: Confuscious, Jesus, and Napolean. They all had their explanations of why. We'll definitely be able to get some good discussions going. (Note...perhaps these groups went so well because of my brother and sister these ages....thanks Claire and Aaron!!!) My third group was the toughest: 9-10 year olds, but new to English College. When I said my name and gestured/asked/acted out/sounded out for them to say my name, they were all dead silent. Eesh. It wasn't until I got out my visuals and used my fantastic drawing skills that I found out they were capable of speech (bananas!! apples!!). VERY new learners of English. My last class was a private lesson with a business man who just wants some practice conversing. So that was fun (another 90 minute session). We just chatted (well, I got him to do most of the talking) the whole time, just so I could get a sense of where he is with his language, what he wants out of the course, and some interests of his. All the classes went by very quickly. The Polish teachers (they work on grammar and vocabulary with the students) that I met yesterday are fantastic. They are both recent graduates as well, and we all get a ride in with one of them (Peter). Really nice. So there is definite potential for some friends among the locals!
Today I have a shorter day, and my students are younger: 5/6, 7/8 and10/11. Should be fun!! The rest of the week's schedule is sort of up in the air. Get this: on Fridays my last class of the evening is with some men that work at the power plant in Kozienice. Could be interesting! And I supposedly have some adult classes Wednesday and Thursday as well. Those ones intimidate me! I guess I'll see how it goes...!
Last Friday at one of the local schools, the Polish teacher whose classes I taught took some photos, so enjoy! (She is really cool as well and we're planning on going out sometime!) And the view from my flat.
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