Before you leave the foyer in a Czech household, you take off your shoes and exchange them for 'house shoes' or whatever they call them (slippers/sandals). This is pretty common among lots of cultures, I know, but I can only speak for this one.
This custom extends to kindergartens and elementary schools as well. Everyday I teach kids adorned with Crocs, Birkenstocks, and other slipper/sandal type shoes that are only worn in doors. In the elementary school, (I only teach at one of these which is grades 1-9 and they call it primary school) each class has a giant cage in which the kids can hang jackets and change their shoes. Once safely equipped with the proper footwear, they are free to roam about the halls. Or you know, go to class. In this school, they allow me and other special visitors to keep their street shoes on. Which is good since I don't have a giant cage, and all of the others are locked by the time I get there.
The kindergartens are a different story. If you want to drop your child off at kindergarten, you walk them into the building, get them changed into their indoor shoes and apparently change there pants. (Maybe that's just a winter thing, but I've noticed lately the last few stragglers that are still in the foyer changing pants.) And then you walk your kid up to his or her classroom. Therefore, you must remove your shoes, or by the door, they have these little cloth bags to go over your shoes which you can use if you don't want to take off your shoes.
I don't mind walking around in socks all morning, so I go shoeless. This works well for running around and playing games (or chasing the kids that scream and run into the corner) but doesn't bode well for the transition between classrooms. Stairwells are not carpeted. Last week the inevitable happened. The static friction between my stockinged feet was less than the kinetic friction of the movement down the steps, and I slipped and bounced the rest of the way down. The only things bruised were my pride and my right forearm. I might start bring my Birkenstocks. Just don't tell them that I consider them 'all-terrain' footwear.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
To je podsim?!?
That's right, the first title in Czech. I've had two official Czech lessons so far. The class only meets once a week for 90 minutes, so that tiny fraction of the time that I spend speaking Czech will probably not do much. I've been feeling rather pessimistic all week though, so forgive the melodramatic overtone of this entry.
This is Fall?!? is the translation of the title, because, apparently like most places in the world, it's been snowing this week. On Thursday it snowed the entire day. On Wednesday and today it's been raining and very very cold with occasional flurries. My spirits are probably just reflecting the weather.
This job is driving me crazy. Just when I think I have most classes on their way to being under control as far as behavior is concerned, they tell me I have a new class where the kids are the worst yet. It's not entirely their fault. They are surrounded by toys, so I suppose they can't help but get distracted. Thinking back to when I was a kid, if an adult yelled at me, I had to do all I could to keep from crying. I would never dream of laughing and running to the corner taking all of my friends with me. Granted, I never had someone yelling at me in a language I didn't understand, but I highly doubt I would take it any less seriously.
There are redeeming moments. There was the boy who left at the same time I did and ran alongside my bike waving goodbye. And the first grade class that loves me and is very well behaved. I go to that school everyday, and I feel like a celebrity since I go to most of the grades for 20 minutes a week. So all of the kids at least know of me as "the American" and I get a bajillion 'hello's' as I walk through the halls (usually getting lost because the class room my schedule says I should go to is empty).
This is Fall?!? is the translation of the title, because, apparently like most places in the world, it's been snowing this week. On Thursday it snowed the entire day. On Wednesday and today it's been raining and very very cold with occasional flurries. My spirits are probably just reflecting the weather.
This job is driving me crazy. Just when I think I have most classes on their way to being under control as far as behavior is concerned, they tell me I have a new class where the kids are the worst yet. It's not entirely their fault. They are surrounded by toys, so I suppose they can't help but get distracted. Thinking back to when I was a kid, if an adult yelled at me, I had to do all I could to keep from crying. I would never dream of laughing and running to the corner taking all of my friends with me. Granted, I never had someone yelling at me in a language I didn't understand, but I highly doubt I would take it any less seriously.
There are redeeming moments. There was the boy who left at the same time I did and ran alongside my bike waving goodbye. And the first grade class that loves me and is very well behaved. I go to that school everyday, and I feel like a celebrity since I go to most of the grades for 20 minutes a week. So all of the kids at least know of me as "the American" and I get a bajillion 'hello's' as I walk through the halls (usually getting lost because the class room my schedule says I should go to is empty).
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
New Title, Same Great Posts
So I've returned from a fantastic visit home. Unfortunately, I didn't get to do/see everything that I had on the list, but it was a great time nonetheless. Miki said he could see himself living there in the future and that it's not too much different than the Czech Republic minus all of the driving everywhere, of which he was not a big fan.
I arrived to Prague after about 36 hours of traveling by every mode of transportation I can think of, except for car or boat (bus, plane, subway, train, at one point bike, and of course, by foot) all the while carrying bags that were far too heavy and falling apart. But at least it didn't involve sleeping in airports or train stations like the two nights prior to coming to the States. But I digress. We are young, strong, and healthy. Now's the time to schedule ridiculous travel routes just to save money and/or visit different places.
As I was saying, I arrived on the evening of Friday the 18th after 36 hours of traveling, carry heavy bags, with very little sleep, and had to be at the office at 9:30am to begin my weekend of intensive training. Piece of cake. Actually it really wasn't that bad. Getting up the next day was worse and I wrestled with the alarm clock snooze button for two hours before finally being dragged out of bed and downstairs where Miki's Grandmother had cooked us a nice lunch. So I groggily stuffed myself with the giant section of chicken (I think) that she so lovingly prepared, while they spoke in Czech. Great. Back in the land where I have no idea what's being said around me. At times like these, it's funny how much I long to be back in the land where I usually know kind of what's going on, or can at least fake it (i.e. Germany). Luckily I had to be at work soon, so I escaped rather quickly. (Note: I'm being over dramatic, it's really not that bad here. I'm having lovely time.)
Undoubtedly I was one day become facebook friends with fellow Wattsenglish teachers, and they will find this blog, therefore be it known, that I think it is a good company. However, they basically write your first lesson for you, since you are just getting the kids excited about English and showing them the way and thing they will be learning. That being said, the first day of work doesn't require much independent thought. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, after watching other sample videos I stumbled upon on YouTube from other potential candidates that may or may not have made the cut, I see why they write everything out for you. Let's be honest, not everyone is as awesome as I am. (kidding) So at the training I got a lot of papers to read that were filled with ideas for games and activities and then got the Demo lesson as well as the first month's lessons all planned out for you. I stopped feeling bad about missing the training pretty quickly. However, I did miss out on meeting everybody. I plan to fix that problem by hosting a party for my fellow Prague teachers in the near future.
However, as punishment for not being at training, nay, as a result...well I guess that can't be proven either...anyway my first week's schedule was very empty (as is this weeks). They keep insisting more is to come, and I'm sure it is, (though I've heard horror stories of over-hiring/under-booking from last year that keep me feeling a little uneasy) as of right now, I only teach two 25 min classes on Monday and Friday mornings. And this Monday was a Holiday.
It's actually been very nice because I've then been able to run around and do all of the bureaucratic things that I didn't get to do during the week of training, and I've been able to do some proofreading so I'm not entirely useless. Although I must admit, I could get used to the idea of being able to work in my pajamas in front of a computer.
I arrived to Prague after about 36 hours of traveling by every mode of transportation I can think of, except for car or boat (bus, plane, subway, train, at one point bike, and of course, by foot) all the while carrying bags that were far too heavy and falling apart. But at least it didn't involve sleeping in airports or train stations like the two nights prior to coming to the States. But I digress. We are young, strong, and healthy. Now's the time to schedule ridiculous travel routes just to save money and/or visit different places.
As I was saying, I arrived on the evening of Friday the 18th after 36 hours of traveling, carry heavy bags, with very little sleep, and had to be at the office at 9:30am to begin my weekend of intensive training. Piece of cake. Actually it really wasn't that bad. Getting up the next day was worse and I wrestled with the alarm clock snooze button for two hours before finally being dragged out of bed and downstairs where Miki's Grandmother had cooked us a nice lunch. So I groggily stuffed myself with the giant section of chicken (I think) that she so lovingly prepared, while they spoke in Czech. Great. Back in the land where I have no idea what's being said around me. At times like these, it's funny how much I long to be back in the land where I usually know kind of what's going on, or can at least fake it (i.e. Germany). Luckily I had to be at work soon, so I escaped rather quickly. (Note: I'm being over dramatic, it's really not that bad here. I'm having lovely time.)
Undoubtedly I was one day become facebook friends with fellow Wattsenglish teachers, and they will find this blog, therefore be it known, that I think it is a good company. However, they basically write your first lesson for you, since you are just getting the kids excited about English and showing them the way and thing they will be learning. That being said, the first day of work doesn't require much independent thought. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, after watching other sample videos I stumbled upon on YouTube from other potential candidates that may or may not have made the cut, I see why they write everything out for you. Let's be honest, not everyone is as awesome as I am. (kidding) So at the training I got a lot of papers to read that were filled with ideas for games and activities and then got the Demo lesson as well as the first month's lessons all planned out for you. I stopped feeling bad about missing the training pretty quickly. However, I did miss out on meeting everybody. I plan to fix that problem by hosting a party for my fellow Prague teachers in the near future.
However, as punishment for not being at training, nay, as a result...well I guess that can't be proven either...anyway my first week's schedule was very empty (as is this weeks). They keep insisting more is to come, and I'm sure it is, (though I've heard horror stories of over-hiring/under-booking from last year that keep me feeling a little uneasy) as of right now, I only teach two 25 min classes on Monday and Friday mornings. And this Monday was a Holiday.
It's actually been very nice because I've then been able to run around and do all of the bureaucratic things that I didn't get to do during the week of training, and I've been able to do some proofreading so I'm not entirely useless. Although I must admit, I could get used to the idea of being able to work in my pajamas in front of a computer.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It's a Bowl!
Starting on September 29 (according to my contract, although I'm pretty sure there is a week of training beforehand) I will be working for Wattsenglish, Ltd. Here is an excerpt from the 'About Us' section of their website
Here is the video sample I sent them during the interview process:
You're going to have to turn the sound on your computer up really loudly, because I recorded it with my digital camera. I bought the camera in 2005, so in technology years, it's ancient! After watching it, you will get an idea of what their teaching method is like, with the constant repeating in unison of simple sentences. I will see most of you soon, but if the next time I see you after that, I talk to you like a 6 year old learning English for the first time, I apologize in advance.
Wattsenglish is a UK registered limited company and with schools and franchised branches in Central Europe, is one of the leading organizations specialising in young learner language education. ...
In relation to our daily activities we concern ourselves with, the implementation of trained native English speaking teachers into the Czech education system., the outsourcing of our teachers to kindergartens and primary schools, the teaching and managing of our own specialised language kindergartens, after school lessons and clubs, as well as regional events. These are all areas in which Wattsenglish continues to push the boundaries of good teaching practice. It is our constant aim to enthuse young learners with the desire and motivation to communicate in a second language which stays with them for life. ...
Our teachers come from many different places and backgrounds but are all trained native English speaking teachers and hold a Wattsenglish certificate in the teaching of English to young and very young learners. The Wattsenglish teacher training programme (as accredited by the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport) enables our teachers to understand the benefits of building a relaxed and encouraging English speaking environment, to be able to pull on a wealth of ideas and activities as well as to build confidence in working with rich and varied resources and materials for their learners. ...
Here is the video sample I sent them during the interview process:
You're going to have to turn the sound on your computer up really loudly, because I recorded it with my digital camera. I bought the camera in 2005, so in technology years, it's ancient! After watching it, you will get an idea of what their teaching method is like, with the constant repeating in unison of simple sentences. I will see most of you soon, but if the next time I see you after that, I talk to you like a 6 year old learning English for the first time, I apologize in advance.
Monday, July 20, 2009
In der Küche mit Maggie
For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of eating. However, one of my newly developed hobbies is cooking and baking. My enjoyment is very mercurial though. There will be a period of time where I will bemoan the thought of so much as boiling water, let alone actually creating a whole a meal. This is when I live on bread and cheese. But then, I will get an idea. Or I will have a few odd ingredients left in my cupboard and the challenge of trying to create something substantial/eatable out of them is enough to shake me from my lethargy and get to work. Another important factor in creating a chef out of me is craving something specific. As you can imagine, living on a budget in another country definitely puts some restraints on what you can and cannot purchase at the local grocer. Combine that with the fact that there's nothing open on Sundays here and you find yourself looking up "homemade tortilla chips" in Google search. If you do so, you will find that homemade tortilla chips are made from tortillas, which is not very helpful (not to mention surprising seeing as they're called tortilla chips) but you can also make homemade tortillas. Therefore, I present to me my final product:
It's not very often I get inspired to take a picture of one of my creations. Satisfying and delicious.
It's not very often I get inspired to take a picture of one of my creations. Satisfying and delicious.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
das Umweltbundesamt
Here is my first publication as a professional chemist. 
I had to take a screen shot because it was done in PowerPoint and wouldn't give me the option to save it as anything but .ppt or .hml. I may have been able to figure something out if this computer were not entirely in German. Not that I can't read the German, it's just I don't know what I'm looking for in English. So the picture is tiny, but you should be able to make out that my name is listed second (maybe if you squint...well just trust me). I photoshopped the diagram of the person and the three pictures of in lab stuff are mine! The data found in the graph are also (mostly) mine, although Anja made the graph. I contributed to the written stuff as well, but most of what I wrote got edited or changed by the head of the Department who did the final editing. He's the one who took the poster to Sweden back in May. I actually haven't seen the actual huge poster version, but I know it exits somewhere.
Currently in lab we have a new column for the GCMS (Gas Chromatograph, Mass Spectrometer) and the power went out which through something off during the calibration process, so we have to start over. So basically I do nothing but watch people move around really small, expensive objects, and type things into computers.
But mentally I'm still on the American college student schedule, so I've been on break for a month now. So doing nothing fits my plans nicely.
I had to take a screen shot because it was done in PowerPoint and wouldn't give me the option to save it as anything but .ppt or .hml. I may have been able to figure something out if this computer were not entirely in German. Not that I can't read the German, it's just I don't know what I'm looking for in English. So the picture is tiny, but you should be able to make out that my name is listed second (maybe if you squint...well just trust me). I photoshopped the diagram of the person and the three pictures of in lab stuff are mine! The data found in the graph are also (mostly) mine, although Anja made the graph. I contributed to the written stuff as well, but most of what I wrote got edited or changed by the head of the Department who did the final editing. He's the one who took the poster to Sweden back in May. I actually haven't seen the actual huge poster version, but I know it exits somewhere.
Currently in lab we have a new column for the GCMS (Gas Chromatograph, Mass Spectrometer) and the power went out which through something off during the calibration process, so we have to start over. So basically I do nothing but watch people move around really small, expensive objects, and type things into computers.
But mentally I'm still on the American college student schedule, so I've been on break for a month now. So doing nothing fits my plans nicely.
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