Gone Teaching

Who thought that with my patchy grammar, that I'd be capable of teaching grade 12 English... but I did! Luckily I was not teaching grammar, just reading comprehension and vocab. This is one of the class that I taught most frequently during the 2 weeks I was in MIKA. It makes me happy when the students have an eagerness to learn and ask questions. But most of the times... they just stare at me blankly. For example, after reviewing the various meanings to the word 'shoot,' I tried on one instance to tell the Panda joke (the only joke I can remember off the top of my head). They all laughed on the Panda bit, but at the end of the joke was met with a ten seconds of silent bewilderment... like... why would the Panda do that?


I also taught arts and crafts, which was a more merry affair with everybody getting involved in something. Above, is the year 10s who are orderly in doing their own thing. Below is the year 4 and 2s who have limited listening and sitting-still capabilities... a bit of a zoo to contend with. I guess they look kinda cute in stills.


In any case, being with them gives new meaning to one of my favorite Bible verses: "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child." Probably I was like them too.


So. For some of you who missed the story... I went to Sekoah Kristen Makedonia (MIKA), a school in West Kalimantan for two weeks to help out with teaching English and KTK (Arts and Crafts). Over two weeks, I taught at least one lesson in every class from year 1 to 12, and I also did extras (night classes) for year 9 and 12 who are doing their national exam. The kids are mostly pretty sweet, sometimes hyperactive, dedicated folks. It has been fun, much more fun than I expected when I came. It's just unfortunately, what they have to face is a rather poorly written exam with spelling, grammar and numerical mistakes abound.
If only we can all do IB? hahaha. some of you might disagree.