Don Bosco Vocational Training Center for Girls

It’s been ages since I last updated my blog… I can thank school for that; I’ve been quite busy ever since classes began in October. I teach twenty-two periods each week and have a total of 100 students and six classes. So far, some of the biggest challenges have been the language barrier (especially with the first-year students) the limited resources (even photo-copying is kept to a minimum) learning the girls’ names (known of which I’d ever heard before) not to mention the lack of space. It is difficult to do any activity or game in a classroom when you have 25 girls crammed elbow to elbow, with barely enough room to stand up and sit down. I constantly find myself saying how wonderful it will be next year, when the new school is completed and there is adequate space to teach!

So far, things are going Ok. I’m not a great teacher, but I’m not horrible either. Some classes go better than others and I’m learning as I go. When I have a sea of confused or bored faces staring at me, I know never to repeat a certain lesson again. On the other hand, when a class goes extremely well it is so up-lifting. It is incredibly satisfying when my students are fully engaged, asking questions, their faces a-light with wonder or when a class is simply full of laughter. I’ve definitely had to learn to be in the lime-light (something I’ve never handled very well) and to make a fool of myself (which is totally worth it if it makes my class laugh). While there is a very apparent cultural divide between my students and I, it is always neat to see the ways we connect and relate to one another.

Two weeks ago, my teaching uniform was finally completed! My students ooooed and awwwed when I made my first appearance in it. I received compliments throughout the week (making me wonder if what I’d been wearing at the beginning of the year was really that bad). No, really, I think they were just excited to see me dawn Khmer-style clothes. They seem greatly amused whenever I attempt anything Khmer (such as the language or dance). I’m excited to learn both, and while I haven’t made much progress with either the students are full of encouragement and praise.

All of my students have a high level of respect for their teachers, I’ve only had a small problem with two of my students (who are more advanced in their English and as a result have a slight attitude). I was a little bit startled when I walked into my very first class and all of the students stood up and greeted me, chorusing “Good morning Teacher”. Similarly, I think I jumped a little when I completed a game with my first-years and they all placed their hands in prayer position and exclaimed “Thank you, Teacher!” However, I’m now used to both their welcome and farewell in each class (and even find myself basking in their esteem).

I’ve assigned my first test for this week (right before the holidays…we have five days off for the Khmer Water Festival). I really hope that all of my students do well! Either way, it will reflect how I’m actually doing as a teacher.