ZOO: Classroom Moments 1

Cultural Observation: Negotiations are done loudly and with great expression until finally a coin is tossed to determine a winner.

My students have begun working on group projects this afternoon. I have given them a rare period to begin working. One of the tasks is to determine a country to focus on, but no group may have the same country. Of course, two groups wanted the same country.

Student A asks around for what countries everyone is doing. Group 1 says Yemen. Group 4 also wants Yemen (Student A's group). Arabic begins flying from group to group. Here is my translation/interpretation of what went round:

Argument 1: Group 1 has four students while Group 4 has only two present. [rationale by majority]
Argument denied.

Argument 2: Group 1 tells Teacher which country they are doing. Teacher says Sure. It's now decided.
Argument refuted that Student A had been asking other groups, so in essence she should get a say first on which country and that asking Teacher doesn't count.

Argument 3: We've already started researching about the country.
Argument refuted - so have we "See" (showing computer screen)

Argument 4: Shout over the top of the others and the loudest person wins.
Argument void as both groups shout.

Meanwhile I am laughing... I laugh more when I see the 1 dirham coin come out and Student A gets up to flip. Flip. Student A makes a noise, face and laughter ensues. She has lost.

Result Group 1 wins Yemen. Lesson learned? Majority does win and the louder the better!

Ah... entertainment at its finest. You can't get this on television, I tell ya'!

Until next time...

-T

ZOO: Teaching Moments 1

Issue 1: 5-minutes = late for both two hour sessions

On Day 1, we discussed as a class the rule for coming in late to class. Instead of having a break half-way between the two 1-hour sessions, we go for 90-minutes straight. This means that the rule for being allowed 5-minutes to be late applies to both hourly sessions in the morning and afternoon.

Yesterday wasn't a problem because class began at 10am. This morning was the first time the class began at 8am after the rules were discussed. At 8am for roll call, there were 4 students sitting in their seats. At 8:20 three more students came in and by the end of the 90-minutes 11 students were present.

The three that waltzed in first were convinced I should mark them as present for at least the second-half of the morning session because, of course, their previous teachers had done the same.

My response:
"New course, new level, new teacher, new rules".

Student response:
- Silent looks of disapproval, whispers and pouty faces.

Lesson learned: Teacher is strict...and, students are the same no matter where you go.

People are the same no matter where you go. It's comforting, at least, to know that humanity and behaviour crosses cultures and language. :D

In the end, we came to an agreement. Today, I will be flexible. Tomorrow, I will not. Any questions? None.

Until next time...

-T

PS I will post these moments back on my Mental Meanderings blog once I am internet-friendly at home!

Abu Dhabi: A week complete

Eventually I will have to stop counting the time that has passed and
truly accept that this is where I live but I still am adjusting. Life
isn't truly settled until I have Internet access at home (to come in a
few days!) and more furniture. The good news is that my material life
is in the country and en route to my new digs. So perhaps then I will
feel better.

The first day of classes has passed. I have an interesting group of 13
whom I will see for 4 hours a day over the next 8 weeks. It is my hope
they will all pass out of the class so that they can be fully
matriculated in the university but already there are a couple that are
questionable and it is no surprise this is their last chance to pass
the program...

Adjusting to the schedule may be the most challenging. I am currently
sharing taxi ride with another new colleague but she has an earlier
schedule than me. I start at 8 three time a week and finish around 2.
The other two days I don't start until 10 and then finish around 4.
She is always on a 730 - 130 schedule so we are going in around 630.
Still early even by my standards. The cool thing is that there isn't
much need to lesson plan much and after work I still have time in the
day to do other things.

So this afternoon I got my Internet ordered and cell phone set up so I
can receive and make international calls. Then I headed to the mall
for a bit of pampering with a pedicure and more house-shopping. I only
managed new bedding but that is an accomplishment considering most
stuff is a bit too boudour-esque for me.

So this ends another long blog post. I really got post more regularly
to share everything!!!

Until next time...

-T

twaller2008@i.softbank.jp
Sent from my iPhone