I gave my first test today.It's ridiculous how weird that sounds to me. I was never very fond of tests when I was in school so its funny that I had to give one today.
Teaching English in Cambodia is a little like teaching in Thailand in the way that our ministry partner doesn't have too many guidelines on how we teach. Some classes have a book we can use if we want to. We are split up between seven classes – they vary in amount of students and ages. I actually teach my own class. Ha thats even weirder to say.
It is still a trial and error type situation. For example I had to make up the test (what?!?) which wasn't too difficult. But I was so focused on making the test that once they were done taking it I hadn't planned anything for the rest of the class time…. yeah so I had like a good 40 mins left. So I wrote a tongue twister up on the board aannddd when they were done with that one… I wrote another tongue twister on the board…. then let them out early because 'they all did well on their tests' aka I ran out of ideas. They didn't argue with it so I guess over all it was a successful class.
It has been a little discouraging at times. It can get frustrating when the only way l can communicate with my class is through a translator. So some things get lost and they don't understand. And the book that they use at times is teaching weird things. Like one lesson was about a dude ranch. Trying to explain to what a dude ranch is to a group of Cambodia kids who live in a village was pretty difficult. One because I don't know really know what a dude ranch is and Two the only thing that came to mind was the Nickelodeon show Hey Dude – anyone? anyone? So I have had some interesting semi-conversations with my class. Thats where I say something and they look at me awkwardly with blank stares. But that has also led to laughter and smiles too.
It can also be really intimidating teaching English. Sometimes a student has asked me a simple question about a word or word usage and my first response is because thats how it supposed to be. (which wouldn't be helpful)then I have to try and remember way back to grade school and try to remember why…. or I just make something up. That works too.
Overall this month has been amazing. The students come here voluntarily so its great to work with students that want to learn. Vuthy our ministry partner and his family have been so loving and is so wonderful.
