Today was my first day at school. I was supposed to be there at 9. I planned on taking the 6:50 bus because I didn't want to be late to my first day of class. I asked my roommate about how long it would take to walk to the bus station. She said about 20 minutes, so I added 10...still missed it. Then next one was at 8, I guess I'll be Spanish today and arrive fashionably late. I had a coffee at the bus station while I waited and dreaded the ride there anxiously anticipating the day and what I would be doing.
The ride to Alhaurín makes me sick. It curves around hills, sharp curves, several roundabouts...you get the idea. I found my school pretty easily after being shown the week before. Today was the first day of school for the kids. I am teaching 6 hours at 2 schools. Both are primary schools and have grades pre-school to 3rd grade. I talked with several people before I found someone who understood that I was saying auxiliar and was expecting me.
I met all the teachers, most of whose names I won't remember on Monday. They understand. I even met the janitor. They all told me that I spoke Spanish better than they spoke English and tried out their English skills on me. I told them I would help them with English and they were very pleased.
The pre-schoolers were pretty complacent and didn't really care that I was there. The 2nd and 3rd graders were very happy to meet someone from America. I stood in several classes telling about myself in English. Then the teacher asked them questions about what I said. They had no idea. Whew. I have my work cut out for me. I was under the impression that they were fairly fluent. They all guess that I was from England or Germany as the American English speaker is rare here. Some gasped, others clapped their hands. Looks like I'll be pretty well accepted.
I will be helping the students mostly with pronunciation and helping the teachers with theirs and the development of curriculum. I think sometimes I will give cultural talks about customs and holidays in America too. I'm very nervous. Do they know I'm not really a teacher?
My last class of the day may be my favorite, mostly because I love the teacher named Pili. We are friends now. She gave me her phone number and told me to call her if I ever need anything. Since it's the last class of the day, there is mayhem at 2 o'clock. She told me as we were lining up that she takes the kids out front and then she slips out the back because parents and grandparents will ask her questions and she wants to go eat. They're not supposed to leave the back way but the supervisor doesn't care so they do it anyway.
Pili lives in a smaller town between Alhaurín and Málaga but goes to the city on the weekends to see her parents. She invited me to lunch with her and her friend. YES! Spanish friends. She gave me a ride back to Málaga and we talked a lot in Spanish. She said she studies abroad and she knows I don't have many friends and that I need friends who speak Spanish. So now, somos amigas. AND her friend Lila wants a conversation partner bu bu buuuumm...enter me!
My school schedule is good I think. I will work Monday through Thursday. I start at 9 everyday except Wednesday when I start at 11. I have a break from 12-12:20 (not lunch, snack) and I will be done at or before 2 every day. My school knows I take the bus so they are working on finding someone to give me a ride from Málaga. How sweet! I didn't even ask. They know the bus sucks. They told me when I would be paid, gave me the letter I thought they didn't have for me, and dragged me along as the two schools debated who would have me when. I think a native English speaker is needed there. EVERY teacher has said they need to work on their pronunciation. Todo está bien. Todo.
Today is Friday, Spain's favorite day because you can only work half a day if you want followed by 2 days off. Seriously, Spain takes their days off as serious as a heart attack. Tonite is fiesta with the Spanish girls and Jen...and I'm off!
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