Beginning to understand...

I cannot believe it is only Wednesday because I feel like I have done so much since Monday. I have taught two classes entirely on my own, found tutoring jobs, conversed with teachers at my school (in English and Spanish), met around 20 of the 150 teachers at my school (ask me their names and I would probably be able to name four). I have also done my commute for the fourth time since I have been here as well as lived my daily life here in Sevilla. 

Let's just say I am finally beginning to understand the Spanish education system and get a glimpse of what my year will be like here in Sevilla. I cannot explain how excited I am to see where the year will take me. The teachers at my school are all wonderful. Yesterday I had four teachers surrounding me. They were so interested in my background and my life in the United States. Unfortunately there are so many English teachers who want a native English speakers in their classroom, and since I am the only one in the school, it is hard for my coordinator to fit me into all of the classes. I am just so amazed at how much the English language is valued here. Not only do I have my students listening to me while I teach, but I have the teacher listening to me because they want to learn as well.

The main goal of my classes is to get my students to talk. I tend to put them into small groups and have them discuss their family life and interests with each other. All of the classes are in English but I feel weird pretending that I do not speak any Spanish. The teachers told me they want my students to think I speak absolutely no Spanish. So yesterday, when one of my students asked me what a neighborhood was, I heard whispers going through the classroom saying "barrio, barrio!" which means neighborhood in Spanish but I couldn't say "Yes! Yes! Barrio! That is correct!" because I am not supposed to understand Spanish.

So far I think my students like me! I ran into some of the students I had on Monday and they asked me why I haven't been in class since Monday and I told them it's because I have to go to so many different classes. They told me they would ask my coordinator if I can be in their class every day. That made me happy. It made me feel like I was doing my job right. My coordinator also told me he thinks I will do very well at the school because I am outgoing and not afraid to talk to people. I hope he is right!