This is sort of venting post. So if you're not interested in negativity you can stop reading...now. As you probably know I teach an English class to 4-6th graders at the local school. It's definitely not my dream project and I certainly tried to get out doing for a long time but then I realized many people wanted me to do it and that it would help me get to know more people...blah blah blah. There are some positives obviously. I have work, which is a good thing. I have some students who are really learning and I'm better know throughout the community...BUT IT'S JUST SO FRUSTRATINGGGG!!!
We've just passed our half way point and I decided to give them another quiz.. the first one they took wasn't so bad. On Thursday, our last class, I showed them the quiz and explained what I'd be asking of them so that they could effectively study. When they showed up today, it was clear to me that no one had studied. I gave them 5 minutes to use their notes last time and clearly they expected notebook time again and were relying on it. I told them if they got worse than 50% they would have to take the test again next time. I have 9 students out of my 40 who failed. 9!!!!!! and many who just squeezed by. it's just not acceptable and I don't know what to do about it. we practice and review, I tell them what to study and they simply don't do it. Annnnddd to top it all off, they cheat like crazy. I don't know how many times I had to tell them to stop talking and to keep their eyes on their own paper and to give me their notebooks because they were looking inside. It's completely outrageous!!!! I just don't understand at all.
A large part of it has to do with the education system here. In the U.S. this kind of behavior is simply NOT tolerated obviously. If you're caught cheating you simply get a 0% on your test, and you have to explain to your parents why you did so poorly. here...NO ONE CARES! so when they come into my class they expect to get away with these things and I don't allow it, and then I seem like the mean teacher. Also, they just don't know how to study in general. They have no concept of being independent learners. It's hard to teach in a culture that is just so different educationally speaking. It's a never ending battle. And I get it...its an extra, free class that they take outside of school but I want them to take it seriously and I don't want to waste my time on kids who won't even try a little bit.
In other news, I submitted my medical school application last week! WOOO!!!
I'll just have to wait for my secondary applications to be sent to me, and then I'll have a TON of work to do on those. but yay! the process has begun.
Going to Brazil in like 38 days! CANNOT wait to see my Mateo! <3
