Solo Teaching Time

On Thursday, I taught 2 English classes on my own.  I'm happy to say they went well!

As you might already know, I volunteer at an English school.  One hour per evening, four nights per week.  In a beginner class where I can be of most help.  Sometimes it feels like a bit of a commitment.  But mostly it's fun and rewarding. It's a nice way to give back to this community. It also helps me with my Spanish. 

Usually, I'm just an assistant.  I help Barbara, the owner of the school and a friend.  But on Thursday, I was teaching solo!  The class I usually volunteer in, and another beginner class.

I was pretty confident about my usual class.  I know the students.  They know me. I think they appreciate my help. I think it went well.

But I wasn't sure about my "non-usual" class.  I'd never met them. Barbara kinda warned me that they're quiet..... I started by introducing myself in my best Spanish.  To show them they could ask me  questions in Spanish, and that making mistakes is OK.  I know I make lots of mistakes!  During my introduction, I told them I work at a farm/museum.  I made a few of my favourite animal sounds....Who can be shy and awkward after that????

Tonight, Barbara told me that my "non-usual" class liked me.  Apparently, they said it with some enthusiasm.  That felt nice!

Pictures
1 - The school from the outside.  I'm pretty sure it used to be a big private house.
2 - The front room, where 2 administrators work.  Dona America, and Don Fermin. Super nice people!
3-The classroom I teach in.  I wasn't sure if it'd be ok to take a picture with the students.  So I was trying to take a picture of the empty room.  Barbara jumped in and grabbed a student, from another class!
4 - An appropriate random picture. The back of his t-shirt says "I don't speak English, but I promise not to laugh at your Spanish".  The front of his shirt says he works at Senor Frogs.  A popular bar/restaurant with tourists.  Cute...