Update on new part time job

**Dutchie** · 11-07-2008, 09:22 AM

Thank you for all the good thoughts and messages - I really needed them.
I think that if someone had said to me five minutes before I had to meet the kids and start the workshop that I didn't have to do it, I would have taken the chance and run away. That's how nervous I was.

Things went REALLY well. The kids and I hit it off right away.
It is quite something for these kids to enrol (themselves) for this because this is an inner city school and almost all the kids are from immigrant backgrounds which means that in some cases even Dutch is their second language and here they are enrolling for a third one.
Thankfully I had prepared various levels of English things to do because the level that they have is minimal.
I wanted to get the message across that learning a language can be fun and we can have fun doing it so I had a lot of great things to do which I think they liked.

We started with introductions and then I did a short story with them (very basic) and we read it aloud together and then (with a little help from me) they took it in turns to read a sentence aloud.
We then went onto days of the week which proved to be quite difficult for them regarding pronunciation but we will work on it again next week.
I noticed that they were having some trouble staying concentrated so we went onto some songs that I had printed out.
We did 'Twinkle twinkle little star' and 'If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands' and so on.
They LOVED this. They knew these songs - in Dutch - so it wasn't so difficult.

We also discussed what they would like to learn next time and before I knew it, we were finished.
A couple of the kids stayed behind and talked with me and they said that they had had a great time. But one thing is sure - I LOVED it too. I can hardly wait for the next time.

Once again, thanks for all the good thoughts.
(((HUGS))))
Avril (aka Dutchie)

**prftstrngr** · 11-07-2008, 09:28 AM

Congrats on a great first day!! Sounds like you made a good impression! Im sure they will continue to do well with your guidance...thats quite a challenge you took on!

**TexasPeanut** · 11-07-2008, 09:30 AM

I'm so happy you had such a wonderful first day! It sounds like you and your students really enjoyed each other and the learning. Sending good vibes your way that it will continue to be just as great and rewarding for all of you.