Yesterday I struggled.  I struggled with a class that I had been asked to speak to in English about New Zealand.  This is the second time I have struggled with a class over the past week – both classes of students were about the same age.  They were also the same age as my students back in New Zealand – 11 and 12 years old.  I found myself wondering why on earth I was doing this, when I could be listening to and practising Español in another class.  I thought that handing out the postcards and the calendars with beautiful pictures might make a difference, as would the various NZ$ notes and coins I had with me.  But both increased the noise level and “silliness” severely.  I contemplated packing up and walking out, but my professionalism and my New Zealand pride would not allow me.

Now, as I reflect on why I struggled with the very age group I love teaching, I try to imagine how interested my students in New Zealand would be with a native Spanish speaker who spoke very little English and arrived in front of their class to speak in Español.  As I do that, I begin to understand – but just a little. As an 11 or 12 year old, having a very limited amount of Spanish, I would struggle to understand what the visitor was saying, let alone be able to put together questions to ask them.  It would be hard to concentrate for a long time when the words spoken do not make very much sense – (as it is for me when the people around me are speaking very fast in Spanish). BUT is there no value, importance or interest to this age level, for a chance to speak to a native English speaker and find out first hand about another country?  Are they not far enough along their own English learning journey to relish the chance to converse with someone who speaks English as a first language?  Are they not stakeholders in the conversation?  Or is it purely the age?

No matter what the answer/answers, as a teacher, I would be very embarrassed if my students called out or shouted at the visitor all at once, or began to chatter away while the visitor was answering someone’s question.  No matter what language you speak, manners, consideration and simple politeness can considerably decrease the divide the lack of language causes in communication – don’t you think? And then I read this ………… http://educatingthedragon.edublogs.org/2008/04/08/the-great-unspoken/

How embarrassed and disappointed I feel.  I don´t know what to say. Your thoughts and/or comments would be appreciated.

I am struck by the differences in Paraná’s public/private schools compared to the public schools of New Zealand.  I teach in a public school, in fact, most students attend a public school for most if not all their schooling.

Since I have not taught in any other areas apart from Napier, I can not compare Paraná schools to anything but my own school and those that I have been lucky enough to teach or relieve in.

My own students back at TIS do not realise just how lucky they are with what is available in their own classroom.  I don´t think the teachers of my school or other New Zealand schools realise how lucky we are with the many resources that are provided for us in our schools.

I am so grateful for the school that I work in.  I am so grateful for the resources that I have.  I am so grateful for the technology that I have access to and I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience life in another country to make me realise just how grateful I am. When I return to my own school and classroom I will be reminding myself each day to take advantage of each and every opportunity I am presented with, to make the most of what I have and to forget about what I do not have.  I now have a far better understanding of what I take for granted and what others do not have access to.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.