I have to confess I
really hate writing, like really really hate it. It does not matter what I am
writing about- it can be personal like this blog- even about things that I am
really passionate about like bilingual education- or things that I know are healthy
to reflect on like a journaling- or specific genres like formal research papers.
I hate it, I always put it off as long as I can. I have to trick myself into
doing it. I think I would have really enjoyed my first year of grad school immensely
if I never had to write a paper. I had to get that off my chest. So you all
know that it’s not that I don’t want to keep you all informed, or that I don’t love
you- it’s just a very painful process to get things down on virtual paper- my
poor mother can confirm this who has barred the brunt of having to proof pretty
much everything that I have ever written English- and for which I am internally
grateful.
Ok I’ll get to the
point now- What am I am actually doing here so far work wise?
I am collaborating with
the Universidad Autonama de Queretaro on the San Juan del Rio Campus. I am
teaching conversational classes to undergraduate through doctoral students in
the engineering department as well as one section of administrators. Students
in the undergraduate degree programs are place in levels 1-8 depending on their
TOFEL scores. Students in level 1-6 see me once a week for one 30 minute class.
Students in level 7&8 have class we me twice a week, totally an hour.
Masters, doctoral and administrators have class with me for an hour a week.
Class size for undergraduates have anywhere from 2 to 5 students in them.
Graduate level class sizes range from 2 to 7 students. I teach around 100
students a week. I am also supposed to start soon a academic writing course for
graduate students in English for an hour weekly- oh the irony! We will see how that one goes. Students in the
graduate program are required to get published in engineering journals and
therefore need to submit proposals in English- hence the need for the course. There
is also talk of me doing a course for instructors of English at the University
from a variety of faculties- that would attached to some kind of certificate of
completion. And or a monthly workshop for English teachers just in our
department.
As for a secondary project
I am also teaching at a local public elementary school on Mondays and Fridays.
You know I have to work with the little ones to stay sane J I work with 6th graders for a hour
teaching basic English. There are 2 sections of 6th graders 40
students per class. More on my impressions on the Mexican public education
system later.
So that is the deal work wise for now…. As for the other side of life… in my first month in site I have had the opportunities to attend a variety of parties- birthday parties, Independence day party (September 15th), 25th anniversary part of the a major in the department, New students welcome party for the engineering department. And yes I even danced once- gasp! And yes it went terribly ;)
Pictures :
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| banda de guerra for the 25th anniversary celbration |
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| Ballet folklorico (traditional dancing from Mexico) |
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| Ballet folklorico- these are my classmates from my dance class- 25th celebration |
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| Dancers from my class for the 25th celebration |
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| The official 25th ceremony and all the important people |
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| My counterpart the matron of ceremonies |
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| Grand Opening of the cafeteria for the department |
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| Banda de viento- for the 25th party |
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| Mariachi- 25th celebration |
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| Torrito- guy who runs around with fireworks exploding from his head and chases people- 25th celebration |
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| Pyrotechnics display- 25th anniversary party |
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| Lavish 3yr old birthday party I attended |
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| My bedroom- host stay family where I am staying until the end of the month |
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| my bathroom |
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| The entryway and dining room- host families house |
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| Living room host families house |
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| host families home |
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| Independence day celebration- Nopala |
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| Independence day celebration- Mariachi |
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| El grito de independencia |
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| El castillo- fireworks tower |
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| new puppies taking naps |
More details soon. Miss you all- Un abrazo fuerte!
