Today was AMAZING! And not just for
teaching. It really was an awesome day filled with so many new,
exciting things.
This morning before class even started
(8:35 for my first course) I had to go and pick up my residency
permit card. I got to the right office at 8am, signed for the card,
and went about my day. I felt extra smug picking it up on the day the
US Government shut-down started. The Austrian State/Province/District
I'm in is paying me, HA! Anyway...
I had already go to my school on Monday
to take care of some bureaucratic stuff. I had received my schedule.
It turns out they were able to get Fridays off for me! I also got my
key and met most of the other English teachers. So this morning I
walked in feeling somewhat prepared—but still nervous.
I had prepared the same powerpoint and
class activity for all levels, just because it was the firt
The first class I taught was the 5th
years (same age as 9th graders in America). They haven't
had as much English but it still went pretty well.
The next two classes were 8th
years (12th graders in the American system). Both fun and
interesting to work with but VERY different ways of acting as a
whole.
I at least feel confident I can be a
pretty good assistant, so that's good.
Some observations or differences about
the school system for my readers. I already experienced the school
system at the Gymnasium, so most of this is review for me but some
differences are:
-Different high schools for different
education tracks. But most of them end with a special diploma, a
Matura, which opens up many jobs for a lot of people.
-Each class of students has their own
room, and teachers move around throughout the day (the classes still
have a sort of “homeroom teacher” though)
-No cafeteria, but instead a small
place to buy snacks and sandwiches
-Required subejcts are usally done for students around 1 in the afternoon, and they have some electives a few times a week (at least at the Gymnasium)
-Classes aren't every day. My students will have English either 2 or 3 times a week
-Teachers all have places at tables in
a large Konferenzzimmer. Since I knew about this before it was kind
of awesome being on the other side of this sort-of forbidden place
for me
-Back in my day, students didn't try to friend their teaching assistants in high school. Then again, back in my day Facebook wasn't as ubiquitous....
After teaching I was surprisingly tired
and napped. I figure it'll be like this the next week or 2.
My evening was also somewhat
productive. I was able to meet up in-person with another Austrian I'd
been taking to online for a while. It was GREAT! I had tea and we got
to speak in German the whole time. Hopefully I can get to know his
friends and start to form some semblance of a Villach-based social
life.
And right after the meet up, I received
a perfectly timed phone call from Maggi!!
For those of you who don't know, Maggi
was one of the most amazing people I've ever met. We met during
language camp of my exchange year and I stayed with her for most of
December and part of January when things didn't work out with my
first host family.
Sorrynotsorry for the off-centered
crop. It's for reasons (including at least SOME of the landscape must be in the pic)...
Anyway, she called to invite me to stay
with her over the weekend! I CANNOT WAIT to meet up with her since
it's been over 4 years now... and possibly about 3 since we've even
heard each other's voices. I know a lot has changed for both of us in
that time. Gah, she was so central (in one way or another) to
connecting so many parts of my life over more than half a decade, I'm
getting all emotional!
Anyway, what this means for you guys is
pictures of a different, VERY beautiful part of Austria
So to sum everything up awesome about
today:
-First classes going well!
-Meeting new contacts FROM around
Villach
-Plans to reconnect with a pivotal
person in my life
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