LMNOP.

Day 38

Children get the most joy out of the simplest things. I’m sure any mom would tell you that pots and pans make the best toys. And any dad would argue that a pile of rocks and a pond can be drawn out into hours of fun. So despite my best lesson plans it’s the Alphabet song that has got my students all riled up. I’ve got them lined up in the back of the classroom firing the alphabet to me while I bounce around between the letters written on the board, mouthing the troublesome sounds for the tongue tied. They’ve got big nervous eyes waiting for their turn; I can see them trying to figure out which letter they’ll have to say, just so they’re ready when I point at them. After we’ve run through it a couple of times and I’m almost ready to say that they’ve pretty much got it I have them turn around and face the back of the room, to test them without the help of the board. They look at me like American Idol contestants asked to sing their selected audition piece in pig latin. I assure them that this is JUST a game and I don’t plan on failing them for forgetting the letter ‘j.’ I basically whisper the alphabet down the line, but it came together in the end. They even managed to tack on “Now I know my ABCs, next time won’t you sing with me!” A few even managed to muddle through it on their own. And they’re in 6th grade. It is always funny to me to see what falls through the cracks and never gets taught. I’d say you’re crazy if you asked me to speak another language without a clue as to what the letters sounded like. But that’s probably why they say words like “Run!” as “Rooooon!” or my name “Katie’ as “Kitty.” (Funny side note...all this fun happened ONLY after Katie got to write the English alphabet with Spanish phoentics below to indicate how to say each letter using the Spanish alphabet. Yes I did want to pound my head into the wall, surprisingly enough).

Catching the train home I run into one of the other English teachers who is at the high school nearby in Álora. We laugh about what we’re teaching and I am exceedingly glad to be in elementary education because he’s been asked to present on the democratic system of governance in comparison to a dictatorship and further discuss human rights, specifically in the USA. And I’m planning on having my students trace their hands and draw turkeys while we watch Pocahontas in honor of Thanksgiving. HA! (not really, that’s not at all PC). While it doesn’t feel quite right to say that I’m lucky to be where I am because it’s a forced phrase I’m wishing I might believe, I’m lucky to be at my school. At least the kids want to sing songs still.

Today is big because its my first day teaching another English class at another program. I’m on edge, but they’ve told me it’s a class of just two 5 year olds. So I’ve laughed off most of my nerves because we’ll be doing fun games and practicing silly baby English. When I arrive I’m introduced to Sergio and Natalia. Sergio is quick to let me know that his name in English is pronounced “Sergi” and I should probably call him that if I speak English. it’s amazing how fast an hour can fly when you’re playing “I spy” and coloring in pictures and taking frequent bathroom breaks. (They weren’t even drinking anything, why would they need to go to the bathroom 3 times??!!) hahaha….they’re adorable so I don’t mind. And they give me the sweetest smiles when they say a word right and they know they’ve done well.

I scurry back to Malaga for the only thing that gets me through the week- salsa. Sadly less people are there (clearly not as dedicated) which makes the whole ‘partner dancing’ thing a bit more difficult. The teacher has decided that I’ve got the basic footwork down (no shit) and has given me more ‘advanced homework.’ My hips. She keeps saying make a circle, like this and I want to tell her, look hon, what you’re doing looks real good and I’d like to do it just like that, I really would. But it ain’t gonna happen. That’s just not natural. I’m pretty sure if they wanted to move like that they would have started ohhhh 4 years ago when I began, but they sure are stubborn cause they won’t. she refuses to believe my denials and leaves me alone with my hips and the mirror and goes around to encourage the floundering beginners who’ve started to stand like statues staring at their feet wondering why they won’t stay connected to their brain and their short term memory of what the steps should be. It’s wonderful and I love it. Granted I don’t actually dance any salsa, which leaves me still slightly insane, but I’m inching closer.