BIRTHDAY LUNCH
Went to a lovely place in Chatillon sur Siene with friends and Greggs Dad. A good time was had by all. Here are a few photos of the event!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
FOOTBALL CRAZY!!
This is Danny. 7 going on 17 years some days. He loves his football. This was taken just before he went to football training. He goes every Wednesday afternoon. When we bought him the football he loved it so much he took it to bed with him. Bless!!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!
I wasn't going to mention my teaching experience as it was so short lived, however I feel I should explain.
For those of you who know me well I am always up for a challenge and felt teaching french children english was certainly an interesting thing to do.
As my training day info explains training day was very limited in terms of info for me. I didnt know how many children I would be teaching, had never been to the school or seen the classroom before, yet had to teach english to them on the Monday.
I decided to telephone the lady that had contacted me originally about the position and ask her for more details as it was hard to prepare a lesson without having the basic information.
Thats when I found out I was teaching 25 children consisting of two classes who were at different levels of English. Yeh okay bring it on!!
Basically gave it my best shot having had no proper time to prepare for the 45 minute lesson. I felt the children interacted well and I came away feeling very content and looking forward to the next lesson on Thursday.
On the Wednesday evening my mentor (thats a joke) Christine phoned and said the teacher who sat in on the lesson said I was very enthusiastic, my english was very good. (Cheeky cow)!!!
However needed to take more time preparing for the lesson, that I put my back to the class too often and that I spent too much time talking to the same children etc etc.
I was actually amazed that after just one lesson they felt they could be so critical especially under the circumstances i.e very little training and support given on their part.
After sleeping on it I decided not to continue to teach and suggested to Christine that whoever they employ in the future they should perhaps give them more training and support before their first lesson and give them the chance to teach 2/3 lessons before they constructively criticise the persons teaching methods. I then said perhaps a teacher would be a better person to employ!!! Don't be silly. The French Education System would have to pay for that. Possibly the English language isn't so important to them eh!??
Heres to the next project. Beautician!!!. Watch this space.
For those of you who know me well I am always up for a challenge and felt teaching french children english was certainly an interesting thing to do.
As my training day info explains training day was very limited in terms of info for me. I didnt know how many children I would be teaching, had never been to the school or seen the classroom before, yet had to teach english to them on the Monday.
I decided to telephone the lady that had contacted me originally about the position and ask her for more details as it was hard to prepare a lesson without having the basic information.
Thats when I found out I was teaching 25 children consisting of two classes who were at different levels of English. Yeh okay bring it on!!
Basically gave it my best shot having had no proper time to prepare for the 45 minute lesson. I felt the children interacted well and I came away feeling very content and looking forward to the next lesson on Thursday.
On the Wednesday evening my mentor (thats a joke) Christine phoned and said the teacher who sat in on the lesson said I was very enthusiastic, my english was very good. (Cheeky cow)!!!
However needed to take more time preparing for the lesson, that I put my back to the class too often and that I spent too much time talking to the same children etc etc.
I was actually amazed that after just one lesson they felt they could be so critical especially under the circumstances i.e very little training and support given on their part.
After sleeping on it I decided not to continue to teach and suggested to Christine that whoever they employ in the future they should perhaps give them more training and support before their first lesson and give them the chance to teach 2/3 lessons before they constructively criticise the persons teaching methods. I then said perhaps a teacher would be a better person to employ!!! Don't be silly. The French Education System would have to pay for that. Possibly the English language isn't so important to them eh!??
Heres to the next project. Beautician!!!. Watch this space.
DANNYS FOOTBALL FUN!!
Thought you'd all like to see Danny in action. Yesterday we went to a place called Blaisy Bas. (Not far away from Dijon). The village was beautiful. Danny played three matches. He won two and lost one. Theres a great atomsphere and the Mums and Dads are very friendly. Ive started talking to one of the ladies quite a bit. She helps me with my french too.
Danny trains every Wednesday and doesn't like to miss it. Im very proud of his effort and enthusiasm and love watching him play. Who knows could be a professional yet!!!!! Who will he play for France or England????? Danny has just said he wouldn't play for England!!! Sorry!!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
TRAINING DAY
Left the house at 6.45am. Arrived in plenty of time. Wasnt the last there which was great. Was really nervous. There were nine of us. Two German ladies, five french ladies and an American guy. The training was given in French, however one of the ladies translated for me which made things a little easier. Still mind boggling though!!! We stopped for lunch and went to a restaurant in the village (Marssannay La Cote). Its a pretty place. It was an opportunity to bond and get to know the group. Ive never met such a lovely group of people. They all spoke english but some were shy to speak it. I tried to speak french when possible. They said the only way to learn is to interact with french people and study. Repeat everything your learning at least 7 times and it should finally sink in. They use this logic when teaching the children. They write nothing down for the first two years of learning.
One of the ladies is married to an English man originally from Manchester. She has given me her phone number if I feel the need for support. The American guy is great too. He is married to a french lady and is a house husband with a BA in French. He is qualified to teach English. Great fun too.
I really enjoyed the day. The hardwork is yet to come.
The experience has made me feel alive again. It was great to have a headache because of info overload. its been a long time since I've felt that. Also I love the buzz of Dijon. Love driving in the traffic, people seem to move quicker, like they have somewhere to go. I do miss that.
Its spurred me on to learn the language even more. Thats the only thing thats holding me back progressing here.
Been rambling on a bit this morning. I'll let you know how the lesson on Monday goes. Enjoy your weekend.
One of the ladies is married to an English man originally from Manchester. She has given me her phone number if I feel the need for support. The American guy is great too. He is married to a french lady and is a house husband with a BA in French. He is qualified to teach English. Great fun too.
I really enjoyed the day. The hardwork is yet to come.
The experience has made me feel alive again. It was great to have a headache because of info overload. its been a long time since I've felt that. Also I love the buzz of Dijon. Love driving in the traffic, people seem to move quicker, like they have somewhere to go. I do miss that.
Its spurred me on to learn the language even more. Thats the only thing thats holding me back progressing here.
Been rambling on a bit this morning. I'll let you know how the lesson on Monday goes. Enjoy your weekend.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
EMPLOYED AT LAST!!!!
Yes you read correct. I have a part time job in a village school teaching 8 and 9 year olds English. It will consist of two forty five minute sessions a week. The money is not a great deal, however I do get paid in the school holidays too! Its a start. Who knows it might lead to even more teaching and maybe private tuition. Who Knows.
Ive got to go to a place for my teacher training tomorrow called Marsannay la Cote. For you wine experts its just South Of Dijon and the village produces fabulous wine. If i get time I want to visit a vineyard and buy a couple of bottles?? !!
Im excited, nervous and apprehensive but hey ive done alot worse and come out the other end smelling okay!!!!
I will keep you posted. Wish me Luck.
Ive got to go to a place for my teacher training tomorrow called Marsannay la Cote. For you wine experts its just South Of Dijon and the village produces fabulous wine. If i get time I want to visit a vineyard and buy a couple of bottles?? !!
Im excited, nervous and apprehensive but hey ive done alot worse and come out the other end smelling okay!!!!
I will keep you posted. Wish me Luck.
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