This week I started strong on my 12-hour work week. You would think that standing in front of a class and speaking my native language with my natural accent would not be a terribly difficult job, but it was fairly intimidating when the professors started giving me students for hours on my own on the first days of class. Many of the students haven't had an English class in years and still can't understand me when I slow down my speech to the speed of molasses. And I'm having to catch up quickly on strategies for teaching English as a foreign language, because when my professor tells me to "correct the students' mistakes," it takes me a while to invent useful ways of explaining why we use "during" here and "for" there, or why we "go to England," but "stay in England." On top of that, since I'm working at the IUFM (a preparatory school for future primary school teachers), all of my "students" are trained in education and probably recognize every pedagogical mistake I make. But having said all of that, I'm very excited when I think about how much I'll learn about teaching English. And let's have a perspective check here: I work 12 hours a week.
Next, as promised, some photos. Just to give you all an idea of the Antique's Roadshow/art gallery/flea market lifestyle I'm now living:
Our "salon"
The all-important corner-of-the-pink-chair
The breakfast nook, currently being used for an evening glass of French wine
Our kitchen, now complete with a "triptych": part stove, part oven, part dishwasher
And last, but not least, my large and lovely double bed.
Our kitchen, now complete with a "triptych": part stove, part oven, part dishwasher
And last, but not least, my large and lovely double bed.So there you have it, folks. If that doesn't make you want to come and visit us, I don't know what will. I'm also willing to bribe you with pastries, crepes, and gelato. Expatriation: it's totally in vogue.
