Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Teaching

My Erasmus year in Rome: relax, too much partying and not studying. Not so, before I self very well to notice, I have two jobs there. Both are located in a casino.The most important job is that of research assistant at the Sapienza. Here, I rather nervously made, especially to the words "student assistant" and "Sapienza". Later still the word 'teach' at. The idea is that I am a beginner and an advanced group go teach. Hard to swallow, but then go for it full. I prepared myself thoroughly for my first group of Dutch students. Now I'm wiser and I know it's slightly less prestigious than expected. The first lesson was not out because my supervisor had told the students that I was there to teach. The second lesson I only had one student, the third lesson or two! The fourth and fifth classes were out for lack of students. The attendance list I was not very happy. Maarr the two times I have taught, I found it very interesting and challenging. After two hours enthusiastically and liming on the board, I was totally exhausted but satisfied. The distribution of the Dutch language is in good hands with me ;-)My second job I have acquired in some weird way. Maybe I ever tell you about my course as Letteratura Inglese and the deplorable level here. During one of the first lessons I had talked briefly with the teacher (in English) because I had problems with my registration. The next day I got an email: "Yesterday I can see how well you speak English, you might like to help a girl at a fee of course?" Of course I like that! Meanwhile, I wondered why she asked me, an obscure Erasmus student who has not even native English speakers. Can she be any among the Italian students like? Apparently not ... I have now three times agreed with the Claudia. They must have three weeks to a conference in Amsterdam, where it must give two lectures. We talk several times a week off to practice their speaking and reading through it. The sessions are quite intense but I do feel they learn a lot. The key is to take away her nervousness. Hopefully soon they confidently to give the speech. Oh, the story has a tail. Yesterday I thanked my professoressa English into contact with Claudia. And you know what she said? "Oh yeah, I really wanted to please her father, he HAS Such a high position at the University". Okay, so here it is working.Anyway, here in Italy I feel like a native speaker of English. Next week also starts the Tandem Project: a language exchange between two native speakers. Naturally I attempted to find someone who wants to learn Dutch .. hum. Fuck it, I am a native English speaker. Now I found a girl for Italian and English to talk and we talk next week.What a crowd! But I find it very nice to my knowledge transfer (maybe my calling is still in the classroom?) And Italian peers to know.

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