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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13237
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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I got a real job !!!
and so it is .....drum roll...... I have started teaching English at the local high school .... boy, talk about a challenge LOL I am so spoiled as I
have ALWAYS taught at posh private English as a Second Language schools ...WHAT A CHALLENGE THIS IS .... I actually had to kick 2 students OUT of
class...30 years of teaching and this is a first
so, I have some huge LA BOCANA xmas stocking requests:
first: some of you have already helped me with this - I need ideas for my classes - how to make them dynamic and fun and since I have NO books (new
gvt has not issued anything that is even close to being viable to use - very vague vague vague instructions), if you have anything you used and loved.
Please share with me. Thanks muchossssssssssssss
second: the school desperately needs decent boards to write on - the ones we have are so scratched that half the board is useless. maybe one of you
has access to big white classroom sized boards ?? And I have used up almost all my copy paper reserve, white board markers .... so I could use some
of these. And also, the walls are bare - anyone have a world map they can spare ?????? Map of Mexico ??? there are 4 classrooms in the high school
and it is my dream to paint them and decorate them so they are BE U TEE FULL. So, paint, any light color for 4 classrooms is also a cool thing. I
already got 3 clocks that a Mexican dentist donated. (I had to buy a watch cause there were no clocks til this week).
today I dropped off 3 volleyballs to one of the classes and they all jumped up and started clapping and yelling thanks thanks thanks. it was such a
spontaneous and loud reaction that I was kinda taken aback....teens have soooooooooooo much energy - I wish they would run a mile and THEN come to
class ... so yeah, anything sports related is high on my wishlist too LOL
Anything and I mean anything you have that is even remotely school related is welcome, and oh so appreciated (think pens, think pencils, think
notebooks) and can be dropped off at the restaurant called ARMIDA'S at the exit to Punta Abreojos - right on highway 1. Put my name on it ....Armida
has been a great help with drop offs. If you are hungry - the food is good and inexpensive there as well ....
Merry Christmas (early) from this teacher who will donate every penny she makes to the students/school/scholarship fund (and some plants for herself
every so often).
Tomorrow i will post some pics of the students .. THANKS IN ADVANCE amigos.
edit for spelling - can u believe it ?
[Edited on 12-3-2011 by BajaBlanca]
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Mulegena
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Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Could you use the ESL curriculum that is used stateside?
I think I have one up north-- could probably have someone find it and mail it.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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acadist
Super Nomad
Posts: 1125
Registered: 3-31-2007
Location: Spanaway,WA
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Mood: Waiting for the Sun
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Congrats! Paint for chalkboards is called.....chalkboard paint. They make a special paint for whiteboards too, but you may want to try the hardest
glossiest white you can find and try it on a small area first. Do not use latex as it will be too soft.
Dave
I moved to CO and they made me buy a little rod to make it feel like a real fish
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volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
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Mood: always pining to be there
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we are coming down the main route last week in Jan, and could bring to a drop off point a large set of National Geographic magazines..........there
are many large fold out maps of everything imaginable, and great photos for wall art/labeling with words/names. Do you want these?
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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BajaBlanca
It is my wife's dream to teach in Baja. She teaches UC Davis. Glad to see your dream come your way! And good for you!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Maps
Any Nomads headed south that are also AAA members, pick up a handful of maps, then drop them off to Blanca. As you know, maps are free to AAA members.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13049
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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that is great news Blanca....it is so great they will have an english teacher who actually speaks english!!!! I used flash cards alot with my
kids...first they learned the name of the object and then they had to say a sentance using it...like...bike...the bike is red or I like bikes..etc.
Also little walks pointing out things along the way was great. And I always invited gringos to class so the students could talk to them...greet them.
I taught them small conversations for when they met people...where are you from....do you like mexico...do you like fishing....do you like lobster
etc. It makes them proud to talk to people and gets them using their english in real life interactions.
felizidades amiga...this will be such a wonderful thing for everyone!
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Rumrunner
Junior Nomad
Posts: 33
Registered: 2-26-2011
Location: San Diego/La Bocana BCS
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Congrats Blanca! I can help out with the copy paper and the paint. I have a couple of gallons of off white and grey. Not sure when I'll be down next.
Maybe I can send it with Scott. He's coming up this month. Dave
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Mengano
Banned
Posts: 1238
Registered: 9-26-2011
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ASL and Mexican sign language (LSM) are entirely different.
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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Congratulations!
The school I teach at has been recognized as a model ESL school.
At a minimum, I can put you in contact with some experts that can recommend resources and strategies. I will keep my eyes peeled for your other
requests. We throw away a lot of outdated, but useful stuff.
As a way to decrease paper and printer ink, consider the document cam and have students supply the paper. The process of note taking is a powerful
learning method. I give my students extra credit for complete, legible, organized notebooks.
Also, most schools are now using both sides of the paper, so maybe your friends can save their trash/recycle for you.
As you well know, teaching is a demanding, challenging and very rewarding endeavor. Your students are lucky to have you.
Check your U2U.
Cheers, Curt
No worries
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Congratulations, Blanca!
I know that you have had the very best ESL training and and many years of teaching experience in San Diego. Those skills will surely transfer to your
new teaching gig in La Bocana. Your students are very lucky to have you!
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bajafam
Senior Nomad
Posts: 654
Registered: 9-6-2009
Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
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Mood: DLTBGYD
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mengano
ASL and Mexican sign language (LSM) are entirely different. |
Wow. How do you happen to know that? You have direct experience with ASL/LSM?
Thanks. |
while Mengano is correct in the two are different languages, there is a strong possibility that your ASL would be useful in Mexico, especially if you
are in the Northern states, or in the frontera. From what I have seen, LSM is used more widely on the mainland. As a fallback, you could always finger
spell the words as I believe the letters are the same.
Here is a site that may be helpful...http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/hearing/communication/
and congrats Blanca!!
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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This is wonderful news for both you and your students. Lucky kids! You will sort this out over time, you have great relationships with kids. I won't
be down till next Oct/Nov so can't help now but will inquire before we come down. Good for you!!
Iflyfish
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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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Congrats, Blanca! I am excited for you and your students. As a teacher here in the states, I also dream about the time that I can "retire" from my job
here in the states, move down to Mexico and work with the students there. I would love the chance to teach English while improving my Spanish! Best of
luck to you!!
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13237
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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lencho - we have whitebords and I haven't seen a chalkboard in forever.
ohh rumrunner Dave: you have no idea how happy that will make me  ))) Please
bring it whenever you can if Scott cannot bring it when they return...
curt - I have them taking notes and indeed am including the nbook as part of their grade - that was one idea my old high school teacher gave and it is
a good one. Definitely keep an eye out for outdated material - I CAN USE IT ALL. esp from a model school. the idea of having people donate paper
they have used one side of is nothing but ingenious. truly ingenious and I will ask UCSD, where I started college to save me some, if they happen
too have some ))))
thank you Tony !!! volcano: you are on ! check your U2U shari: LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of small conversations with Americans... what a neat idea -
thanks. Mulegena - anything you can get a hold of wd be VERY appreciated.
grace - my Spanish was good to start with but it is improving by leaps and bounds now .... my tongue is dog- tired at the end of the day LOL
Hi iflyfish ... see you in Oct/Nov !!
Thanks all .... may you be blessed over and over.
[Edited on 12-5-2011 by BajaBlanca]
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bajafam
Senior Nomad
Posts: 654
Registered: 9-6-2009
Location: Northeast AZ, Bahia Asuncion, BCS :)
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Mood: DLTBGYD
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| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajafam
...From what I have seen, LSM is used more widely on the mainland. |
Astounding! I can't recall seeing anybody signing ever in Mexico... how did you happen on this experience?
Actually, my statement's not true-- I remember a deaf campesino many years ago in rural Oaxaca that communicated with his family with what I *think*
was his own personal sign language understood only within his family circle and close friends, but I doubt he'd ever had outside contact with LSM.
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I used the term "seen" rather loosely. I actually meant in the research I did to help answer your question, it appears that LSM is used more widely in
the mainland, urban areas. My personal experience with sign language is the little bit I learned as a Red Cross Youth Volunteer, and when teaching
both my kids to sign before they could speak.
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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13237
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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last week we did a special class on NON VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN ... here is a chance for you to see the sad state of the white board :
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BajaBlanca
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Posts: 13237
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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and these are the clocks my wonderful Mexican dentists donated to our classrooms:
[Edited on 12-5-2011 by BajaBlanca]
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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Great to see your kids' smiling faces, Blanca. So much energy!
May you have a classroom of stellar students whose lives are changed from this experience.
A couple of them appear delightfully confident and focused.
Are they aware of the successes of Emy, the medical student from Mulege?
She's an inspiration to all of us. Vision and personal determination can make magic happen.
btw, I'll write to a friend and ask him to look for my ESL teacher's manual and pop it in the mail.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13049
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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as Mulegena mentions...you are opening a portal to a new world for these kids...go for it. I think it's great they havent given you a
curriculum...that way you hve the freedom to present relative, important ideas through your daily themes...like you have done here..instead of a class
on the train station (which is irrelevant in their lives)...you get them thinking about social issues.
Keeping it live...alive...and fun is the key to not only learning but remembering phrases in english which is why it's important to bring gringos to
class...so they can USE what they learn. Repetition is good, keep it simple so it isnt overwhelming. I gave homework sometimes that they had to find a
gringo and interview him/her...prepare 5 questions or 10...whatever...and they can choose a theme like....find out about their family, town, house,
pets, fishing, car...etc. This way they slowly overcome their shyness/fear of communicating with extranjeros.
Once they have opened that door, they will find they begin learning on their own..using sign language to communicate and learn new words. I didnt
speak a word of spanish before coming here and I learned just by talking to people...writing words in the sand...como se dice goes a long way!
My immersion kids who visit every year camp out with a group of kids here and man, they sure learn alot playing on the beach, sports, games and
relating one on one. Maybe you can interest some class somewhere in the states to come and spend a week with you and join your students!
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