The First Week at School Has Passed
The first week of school has passed.
Dear Reader,
The first week of school has passed. Overall, it was very good. All skills are developed in every lesson (reading, writing, listening, speaking). Specifically, the tasks are set up in a way that all skills are needed. The Cambridge English Empower Student's Book is used for the curriculum. State-of-the-art equipment is available in the school. Nearly all classrooms have computers, TV and Audio equipment. In addition, there is a Learning Center where you can develop your skills individually, e.g. there is a book that you can listen to on audio on a tablet-like device and then do exercises on a touch screen.
A little about the timetable: for the first three weeks, I have English classes on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00-12:30 with a half-hour break. This is two parts: first part is speaking and grammar, second part is listening and grammar. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 13:45 to 16:00 there are two more lessons. On Wednesday, Tuesday, Thursday, Thursday and Sunday, there are two lessons of speaking and listening. Each week two teachers teach a group. The lessons are based around openness, student-centredness and kindness. There is no problem with not understanding something, it is quite natural that the aim here is for students to learn English.
Most students who come for long stays come from the East, e.g. Saudi Arabia, Thailand, China. There are of course exceptions. Most students from Europe come for a week or so on European programmes. There were Czech and Dutch students here this week. But there are also European students who come for a month, like me. For me it's very interesting that they come for months away from their families just to learn English. It also tells you a little bit that there are problems with the education system. It's interesting because a month like that is not cheap. And you have to be committed to such a sacrifice, because you arrive with zero language skills. You have no friends, no mates and even your family is far away. Your only task is to learn English, because it will secure your future. For everyone I have spoken to, English will be their first language.
How much progress have I made in a week? The reader may rightly ask. One thing has certainly changed. I dare to speak English. Most of the time I can say what I want to say and I can put sentences together. The biggest surprise for me is that there are words I can explain to my classmates. I came with big ambitions and high expectations of myself, but I think the first little blades of grass are starting to grow. I hope they don't come to mow the lawn just yet, let me be a little more proud of myself.
On Wednesday evening I went to the Magic show organised by the school. It was fun and full of cool experiences. I still don't understand a lot of things. Could they really be magicians? I dropped the reins on one trick and haven't been able to find it since. There's an empty gift bag. I checked it myself, and people have been reaching into it. From the bag, which looks empty, he then takes out four boxes as part of the trick, which by the way contain all sorts of plastic stuff, so you couldn't even say they were flattened. The four boxes would also be much taller than the bag. For me, the biggest plus is that there was 1.5 hours of chunky laughter in the process. Not only did it show, it entertained the audience. I can't think of anything else to say about it, I would happily watch it again any time.
There was one more important event of the week. I managed to get a bike for the weekend. (Okay, it's not like the one I have at home, but I hope it can handle the small trip I have planned. If all goes well, there will be a report on the ride. I'll also have a camera with me.) Destination will be Margate.
During today's break between the two hours, I paid for extra programmes for the following weeks. That way (if all goes well and the rail strike doesn't get in the way. Our first lesson today started with the teacher telling us that they can't take the students to Canterbury today because the railway workers are on strike. For those who are interested, here is the BBC article. I will be going to Canterbury, three times to London, and there will also be a local tour.
Dagoca