"They can count basically in English (1-20), know colors, alphabet, and bits of vocab here and there. Mostly food, and a mixture of some parts of the body. Need help pronouncing and spelling."- The last recorded progress of two 6th grade boys, ages 13 & 14
I don't know if you can relate, but this is how I feel in my Spanish abilities. I know my numbers, some miscellaneous bartering and introduction phrases, a few random verbs here and there, and I can sing "My God is so great, so strong and so mighty- there's nothing my God cannot do!" in Spanish (as of last month, thanks to my teammate Georgia!). My point is, I'm hardly qualified to teach these two teenage boys English. And that's our consistent ministry for the month. 8:30-9:30 am, Monday-Thursday, teaching these "6th graders" English, then we play soccer with them after school from 2 to whenever we can't run anymore. Our afternoons will change throughout the month (this coming week we're doing hospital and house visits), but we will stay at the school in the mornings for the whole month.
Anyways, I feel totally unqualified to teach these boys English. They're teenagers, they have an extremely hard time focusing, they keep asking me if I have a boyfriend, and all they can talk about is "futbol." The reason I didn't pursue an education degree is because I didn't want to deal with this age group. Even in English. It's even harder in a language you don't understand, especially when you're pretty sure they're either making fun of you or they're making some inappropriate comment.
Don't get me wrong- these boys are hilarious and I love working with them. I love seeing light bulbs go off- that's why I tutored math in college. It's SO rewarding to teach!
I guess all I'm saying is that as unqualified as I feel and as disappointed I am that we're working with kids again as our main thing this month, I honestly couldn't be happier. These kids are so loving, and I know that we take the light and love of Christ with us regardless if they actually remember any English or not. I'm so excited to see what God does in these kids and in me this month!
