Friday, October 20, 2017

Teaching Teenagers Again

It has been a long time since I have taught teenagers during the actual school day. When I do it here in Trieste, it is normally a one-shot thing and I come in and leave like a rock star. Teaching every day in a school where kids are required to go and you are their TEACHER, is a completely different beast. I had forgotten about how many of them  come in and sit down all slumped over like they just woke up 5 minutes ago, or, worse, they are still sleeping. It doesn't matter what hour you have them, by the way.

Some glare at you in a daze but suddenly become animated the moment you start teaching. The problem is that this burst of energy has nothing to do with you. It is to begin a cross-room dialogue with another zombie who has just awoken from the dead.

At these moments, here is what goes through my mind.

1. What am I doing here?
2. Why don't they know how cool I am?
3. Can't they understand how lucky they are to have me?
4. Why can't I be famous (and somewhere else)?
5. Who are their parents?
6. Are those locks on the windows to keep them from throwing stuff or me from pushing them out?

But you can't lose your top. You have to just sit and wait. Like a dog you are trying to train when you give the command. Don't repeat, don't get angry. Wait. No rewards until that hinder is on the pavement.

However, it is as if my NOT speaking is just PERMISSION for them to apply makeup, fill up the silence by talking to friends, or throw small objects at each other (small, plastic, round, are the characteristics of choice).

It makes you think about what makes a person successful. I realize it is not brains. There are plenty of them in this classroom. Lots of smart kids. But that is not enough.

Knowing where you are. So that is my mantra. When things get out of hand, I just ask them.

WHERE ARE WE?

and they are trained to answer.

WE ARE AT SCHOOL.

and then I continue.

WHAT ARE WE DOING?

They answer, because it is automatic at this point.

WE ARE LEARNING ENGLISH.

It is a double whammy. One, it gets them back on track (for a few minutes). Two. If nothing else, they will know one sentence in the present simple and one sentance in the present continuous, and that is pretty good.





5 comments:

  1. Hi Karoline,

    I just found your blog this morning after seeing a job opportunity with Generali Insurance that piqued my interest that is based in Trieste. I got thinking what would it be like to live there, as it is a city in Italy I have not yet been to. I have scoured your site looking for an email address to contact you but cannot find one. I would love to connect. I currently live in Milwaukee, WI and hold dual US-Italian citizenship. I have a career in commercial casualty insurance and am investigating options working for a Europe based reinsurance corporation, such as Generali. My email is rolandi.allison@gmail.com and would love to chat! I have very much enjoyed your blog and look forward to catching up on your backlog of posts!

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  2. I'm sorry I didn't answer you sooner! Did you decide on Trieste?

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  3. I am also very grateful for this blog, it is the only piece of real info about living in Trieste! I came to live in Trieste 7 days ago and first, am grateful that you continued blogging, last time I read this blog was a couple a months ago. New info, yay! I would also be very excited if I could get in touch with you, there are soo many decisions to make- wich part of city to choose to live in, for start, and how and where to learn Italian?...:) I already like your way of thinking, so your opinion could really help me and my family.
    Hope to hear from you, if not, than just keep writing.
    Wish you and your family everything the best.
    StudentMom&Wife new to Trieste :D

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    1. Welcome to Trieste! Yes, we should meet. Have you been to the Italian American Association yet? We are open on Monday and Tuesday, then closing up shop for the holidays. Piazza Sant'Antonio, 6, second floor. Stop by in the morning Monday or Tuesday and you can talk to Denise, she can give you good info. Leave your info and I will email you so we can meet after I get back January 6. Good luck in the meantime and enjoy!

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  4. I am sooo sorry for not replying sooner, I've read it but couldn't make it to the Corner, a lot of packing for a short trip. :) As soon as we get back in Trieste, I am coming there! :) Happy holidays! :)

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