I'm a full time teacher these days! And by full time, I mean all day every day with 100 pupils!
Zambia is currently carrying out a nationwide census, or as they call it, censar. It's great for thousands of people who completed 12th grade and don't have jobs, because they're earning a lot of money in a short amount of time. The facilitators, however, were chosen from the teachers. So now these particular teachers are earning double salary, and the students are left without a teacher. Also, the 9th grade students will be taking their primary school leaving exams in less than a month. As little sense as it makes, there's nothing to be done except helping the students. So, I've been teaching 3 classes of English every day, and giving exam practice to the grade 9s whenever their teachers are not around.
Teaching in Zambia is a fun challenge! I have found that 35-40% of the 8th graders cannot read, and only a handful can comprehend what they're reading. The biggest challenge though, is the range of ability. I'll give an assignment, and one will finish within 5 minutes and get full marks, while another will work for 45 minutes and not get a single answer correct, or even understand the directions. The second biggest challenge is the lack of resources: my school doesn't have enough of one book to give to each student, so they have to share 3 to one book, and I can never give them books to take home and read. I have a whole new respect for teachers, but also know that I don't necessary want to spend my life teaching. The kids are great though, they love having me as their teacher, and I'm enjoying the creativity that comes with few books or powerpoint or copy machines!
Life in the village is great! My family is fabulous, the kids are adorable, and the only way life could be better would be some rain, or temperatures lower than 98 every day! Every day I look forward to my cold bucket bath, which is a wonderful 20 minutes of feeling 'cold'. Also, my house is being extended. The Peace Corps wants to place another volunteer there after I leave, but my house is apparently too small for the new standards, so, soon I'll be living in a mansion mud hut! Photos of the progress to come.
One of my 8th grade students has been asking me for a pen pal in the states. Anyone reading this know of someone who'd be interested? She's in 8th grade, but probably reads and writes in English at the level of a 5th grader from the states. Please let me know if you or anyone you know would be interested.
I hope everyone is enjoying fall weather and leaves! Can't wait to see those of you in Colorado in 1.5 months, yangu, time flies!
