Teacher, Teacher!

Ellyn Writing....

So much to write so little time!  So I am already falling behind from what I had hoped to do on here.  It looks like it will be like this, however, because this class is extremely intensive.  Quick overview of how the last couple days. 

Friday we went to many sites and got more acclimated to the area where we are staying.  We went and found the US embassy which was closed because it was a holiday...apparently Fridays are holidays.  We also tried to get into a cathedral which was also closed for the day.  We went to Pizza Hut on Friday...yes folks we broke down after only a couple days!  I guess we needed some of that hearty American food.  It was actually quite the cultural experience to see how the western culture seeps into every nation.  The Pizza Hut was in a mall which seemed to be the hang out for all the rich teenagers. 

After Pizza Hut we moved on to the Central Post Office, and who would think a post office could be so intriguing?  It was a huge beautiful building where we took several pictures and bought some postcards....hopefully we can send some out soon!  We also went to the Independence Palace, also named the Reunification Palace where the North (Vietcong) came to at the end of the war to reunify the country in the the mid-70's.  

We got into the Palace for a dollar and then got a free hour tour!  I love the prices here!  The Palace was wonderful and helped me develop a bit of knowledge of Vietnamese history, which I need to continue to add to in the future.  After the palace we went back and had some pho which is just a noodle soup that is very famous here.  Women have a little cart where they make it and you sit on small stools on the side of the street and pay less than a dollar for a meal!  And sooo great!  I think I will be eating it a lot while here!  And I will probably miss it when i have to come home. 

Saturday and Sunday we pretty much stayed in except on Saturday night when we met the rest of our class for the first time during dinner and then a four hour orientation on Sunday.  Meeting the class was so great!  Meeting more people always help.  Now we have many more people to rely on in this country.  We have many different aged people in our group, the genders are quite balanced, and we have student from all over the world.  It is so interesting and exciting to meet people from all different backgrounds.  Orientation went ok, it was a bit of an eye opener in the intensity of the course.  I think we may forget we are in Vietnam while taking the class because we will either be at school or in our hotel room studying.  No time for anything else! 

The first couple days of class have been extremely exhausting, I have already given two lessons.  The first was not evaluated and all I had to do was a couple of get to know you activities with the students, which ended up being alright.  I also gave a lesson today on grammar and I'm sure if you asked anyone close to me, they would tell you that grammar is not my strong suit.  And indeed I did screw up on my lesson with a couple verb tenses, however this turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the lesson because a student yelled out "teacher, teacher I don't think that is right!"  I stood back from the board looked at it again and laughed and said "You know what you are right, I am wrong"  and we all laughed at the mistake.  It was actually a nice ice breaker.  I absolutely love the students we are working with, they are very receptive, energetic, and very helpful.  You really couldn't ask for anyone better to teach to as a beginner.

Today I also had the opportunity to interview one of the students in my class for an assignment.   I learned a lot more about her and the Vietnamese culture.   She also volunteered to give me Vietnamese lessons in exchange for English lessons which I think I need to follow up.  I really only know how to say hello, no, yes, and thank you.  She also invited me to go with her to visit her hometown, which is about a 4 hour drive south from Ho Chi Minh City.  She goes there every weekend like many of the other Vietnamese people living in Ho Chi Minh City.  I think this would be quite the experience so I hope that I am able to find time!

Every day that I am here I find myself delving in further into the life and the people.  As I become more orientated I see myself falling in love with this culture in the near future.  I continue to hold the idea, however, that one month in Ho Chi Minh City is enough for me if only due to the pollution.  I do love the culture, the food, and the people.  I have found that they have such a high respect for teachers in this country, therefore, we are treated extremely well.  Unlike in the US teachers in Vietnam are at the top of the totem pole, on top of doctors or lawyers.  When we walk to school in our dressy clothes and our backpacks we are never asked if we want to buy anything or if we want a ride, as we are no longer seen as tourist.  Many people will try to practice their English with us as we pass....I think we are becoming celebrities!  

Well...that's all folks!  I hope to attach my picture website very soon so stay posted!  Keep the comments coming!  Miss you all!