*

Looking through my posts, I realize that I have come short of sharing what's really inside as I rhymed at the beginning. Good that I put "I may" at least...

I could probably write a lot while in sight; yet I am in sight. I wouldn't like my words to say more than my life. I admit, I have been reluctant to write much here. My fear has been that of saying too much. It's so easy to pour out and flood your listener or reader.

It's somewhat different when you're asked. Yet, I know that the days are coming when I will speak not knowing the questions in people's hearts, praying that they would be answered...

On the other hand, maybe I could share with you a little, something that has been with me all last week. It's a parable from the Book, written down by Matthew. It says that "the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.*"

The merchant surely had some other pearls when he found that one of great value. He must have noticed it was worth all the other. One pearl that cost him everything. But it was worth everything. One pearl the beauty of which he would surely ponder since.

Some may wonder why I bring everything down to one thing.
It's because I have only one pearl.

I used to have other,
but I have them no longer.
There is only this one pearl
that in my heart I ponder.

*Matthew 13:45-46

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learning to teach - teaching to learn

I feel that the teaching experience I have been engaged in is still pretty complex to share. It began in September and has not finished yet. I started from teaching English at a junior high-school. I found myself striving for the students' liking for the subject and myself. I felt great sympathy and empathy towards the weakest learners. I didn't want them to miss out. I wished they could see and understand how easy English is. I felt not detached from their experience as learners, from their struggles. I was their teacher, but I did not fully feel like one. I rather felt their companion in learning; someone to assist them - share the little more I know with them. I really wanted them to enjoy the classes. I can only hope they did.

Teaching French followed. Here the quote matches perfectly: "To teach is to learn twice" (Joseph Joubert, Pensées, 1842). It was a bit easier with the first grade primary pupils. Our mother tongue was often in use. Yet it was so amusing when a girl asked me at the end of our last class if I was going back to France :-) Well, I did not, but I started teaching at a bilingual (junior) high-school. I had to speak French much more often, and I really did not feel I was competent enough to teach this language. It was tough, and I really sighed with relief eventually leaving the gates of the building which traumatically reminded me of my old high school. Another chapter finished.

Teaching English to primary and secondary students was still ahead. Teaching young learners was the highlight of my training. I found it a nice combination of my former culture animation-acting experience, English and - most of all - love for children. I think I can say that I loved the pupils I worked with. (Probably the more, that I know I will not have my own children.) It's amazing that as my rapport with a more naughty group developed, and my knowledge of the young learners' profile broadened due to my BA paper, the class discipline improved tremendously. I proved that sincerity of feelings, and even being able to admit one's mistakes in front of young children can do a lot of good to the T-Ls relationship. And again, so funny when a girl from one group asked me at the end: "Czy pani jest z Angiel?" :-) It was because, even though I happened to use L1, L2 was pretty much in use.

Now, I'm teaching at the International School of Poznań. It's surely challenging linguistically. One time we had a lesson about what makes a good teacher. Preparing for it, I browsed the net for some quotes. Here are my favorites:

* What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches. ~Karl Menninger

* I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

And one more, so true about my Teacher:

*A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others. ~Author Unknown

http://www.quotegarden.com/teachers.html