Teaching French

The first thing that came to my mind while I was on summer holidays was that I would never be able to teach French simply because I am not good at speaking it.  Nevertheless, I somehow managed to pass it successfully and enjoy it a lot. Even now looking back I would really like to go and teach children French. Who would have thought?!
I was teaching second grade children  from 8 to 9 years of age. For me it is more exciting to work with little children other than with teenagers because they are kinder, more honest and open. They would hug me before and after classes and it made me feel so happy!
When I was giving a lesson for the first time at that school I had a nervous wreck - my knees were shaking, giant butterflies were flying around inside my stomach and my thoughts were in a total chaos. But day by day the whole strenuous thing disappeared and I just started to enjoy the process.  
So, I have some tips for those who only begin their career as a teacher:
1) First of all, you should stay confident in order to gain a firm standing. It is a must. But it's not a problem if you don't have it, "just fake it untill you make it".
2) Smile and be kind and open with children.
3) Improvise more and be prepared if something goes wrong.
4) Be emotional and supervise the teaching process by sharing how you feel (whether you are satisfied with their work or not). A good teacher is like an actor. Be ready to play a role of a "mother" or a good "adviser" to them.
5) If you promised children something, you are to keep it.
6) And finally, don't lose yourself. Your ideas, hopes and personal traits of character should always accompany your speech and the way you treat pupils.    

Love, Christina M.

Teaching Practice

I've just finished my teaching practice as an English teacher. I really doubted that it's possible for me to like it anyway so I hadn't had any high expectations about it. Any kind of expectations, to be fair. All I could think about was how to not mess everything up. It was really scary. Not the practice itself but that feeling of going to a unknown place. However, I considered that as an advantage to make my first impression. I like to believe that I succeeded in it.

When I first saw the 6th grade class I automatically knew that I'd choose them. In general, the practice lasted for 8 weeks but it seemed like 3 days. Children were so active and passionate during our lessons. Probably that was the best job I could ever ask for in my life. The best thing about it is that each day is interesting and it brings you new emotions and feelings. I got so inspired on my way home after school and I felt like I had wings and was able to actually fly. When you are performing a role of a teacher it's all different. It's that kind of responsibility that you feel all the time that makes you serious and patient. It is VERY importnat to keep calm in extraordinary situation because it's only you who makes proper decisions and it's only you who encourages children to study your subject. I fell in love with that job.   

I'm really thankful to my friend Daria who coloured some of the stressful moments of mine with her cheerful smile and positive way of thinking.

Now when I'm back at the uni it's really hard for me to concentrate my attention during lectures for more than 40 mins (the school influence, I guess). It's still hard to get into a groove but I promise that right after I finish this blogpost I'm geeting down to writing my thesis. Tschüβ!!

Love, Christina M. 

First Time Summer Camp Work Experience

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.” 

― Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home

If I was told that I would successfully pass my summer practice in a camp I wouldn’t believe a word. But it is how it is now. I am literally happy for being at home at the moment. It’s really hard work and unfortunately not paid enough. I cannot say that it was easy for me to say goodbye to the children whom I’d been living with for 21 day but i can say that it took me a big deal of patience to stay and work there. But i gained a lot of useful experience that will help me in my future career and in life in general. 

"Family" photo

We lived in a nice place among the trees and bushes, waking up when birds started to sing their morning melodies. I cherished those moments of silence during the day and after the shower before going to bed. Those minutes were unique. 

Here in the camp I did things I could have never done in my life! For example, performing on stage without any preparation or organising an event (writing a script the night before the event) etc. But the biggest experience is, of course, work with teenagers. How different and (at the same time) similar they are!  I love them all despite all the things they did during the camp. Some children are still a mystery to me but others are like my own ones. So warm and loved...

I especially loved the moments when I saw children performing on stage or cheering up our team during a sports game. It was breathtaking! I was so proud of them!

                   

                              

We worked in a team of four but it was never enough. Though, I hope children learned something new and that they will remember us and advice we gave them. Till the last day they stayed "Avengers" and not "Big Squirrels". I wanna thank you all for being a part of my life during that short period of time. And most of all I'd like to thank my lovely friend Anastasia for being kind to me and giving me support. How brave and patient you are because you stay there for another month! I'm sending you my love, P! 

Hopefully, it's only mid-summer and there are loads and loads of interesting things ahead! It is only the beginning. And also the beginning of my blog.