Overstepping a little?

Today as we got to the school I was not sure what was planned for me to do. I got there when they were doing mathematics class. They were doing multiplication tables and writing down the numbers that Miss Norma, teacher, was dictating. This was surprising challenging for some of the students even in their own language. After the dictation we wrote sentences to figure out multiplication. 

The students have to copy a lot of stuff down into their notebooks and then do the same problem with different numbers in order that they can relate the formula to different numbers and sums. We taught them the trick with multiplying by 9s, using your hands. 

Today was a shorter day and they left at 12:00, which actually ended up being closer to 1:00. After class we had a meeting with the teachers in our school to discuss the possibility of a mini study session with them in English. We talked about what they wanted us to teach them what would be the most beneficial. Different teachers had different opinions on what to teach and I actually think the majority of them do not have the desire to learn English. I personally would love the opportunity to practice a new language if given, but I don't know when these adults would use the English so I can understand their hesitation. They want their kids to learn some vocabulary, pronunciation and basic sentences, but with only 8 school visits left I don't know how much we can really do. They cannot expect their kids to learn the language, but to only get some repetition in speaking and listening as well as reading and writing through activities with us. 

The thing is, similar to what I mentioned in an earlier post, we do not have a lot of time to teach English as their schedules are already filled to max as it is. It was mentioned that the teachers should suspend their lessons and take advantage of having us here for the kids and get the most out of it, but I don't know how I'd feel about that if I was in their place. As a teacher I love teaching my content area and it is a little difficult to give up my students to someone else, even a sub. I understand we are only here for a total of 12 class days and originally thought we would be teaching everyday all day, but not what we found out and now our schedule is a little confusing. 

Today we talked and I kind of felt we had the same conversation with multiple people and that we were talking in circles. Not everyone is on the same page in our program. Everyone has different expectations of what we are to accomplish here, even us volunteers. We are taking classes and have to do two projects for that and then go to school and teach English for however much time given and whatever theme given. I did try to clear up my schedule with my teacher today; Mondays 9:30-11 and Thursdays the same, because the other day we are there is busy with computer class where kids are in and out if the classroom. I was ok with this because it was more than 1 hour 1 time a week and I am flexible with what teacher has to offer. This changed this afternoon after a conversation again. So now I am supposed to be teaching for I am not sure how long and the teacher is supposed to go along with it. This is the part that I am a bit sketchy about. I would feel like someone is trying to step on my toes and that as the home teacher I am getting told what to do in my own room. So I'm nervous for tomorrow to what will happen. I have a good relationship with the teacher and hope that this change doesn't upset people. Oh by the way all our kids leave early again tomorrow and have tests Wednesday-Friday and need to study in class...so?

Tonight I finished my cards to teach numbers tomorrow and am going to review our activity from last class and then go on to the new material and play activities to keep then engaged!! I hope we can figure this out and do or best for this community while we are here. A ver. Tomorrow will tell. Off to bed. Wish me luck!

Chau