language schools

somehow i'm working in four language schools right now, at least for the summer. it's a lot of work if you consider the hours, but the work is relatively easy as it's mostly directed conversation.


one language school, kódérné iskolája, has been my work place for almost exactly one year. they have treated me well, paid me well and on time, helped me with things outside of work, and the director even took me on a trip once. they are friendly and helpful and speak english quite well. i work with michelin employees there and a few randop adults. love it.


another language school, central language school, is quickly losing its native english teacher. they can't seem to pay me on time and when i have the nerve to ask for my own payment, i'm told not to whine and i'll get it soon. i told them i won't teach another lesson until i'm paid in full. we'll see how that goes. as it is, i don't want to quit just yet because i love my one adult student there and wouldn't like to leave her high and dry. i may just steal her away from them and quit anyway. in that school i also teach two 8 year old girls, which, as i've learned in the past couple months, is beyond my patience and ability. they're sweet girls who put forth a decent effort, but they don't speak enough english to make it worth my while. again, we'll see.


then there is big ben language school. i work for them, but in another town. i take a bus once a week for about 70 minutes and teach two managers of a lens company. they're good guys, the pay is great, and i like to get out of nyíregyháza once in a while. the language school itself is very official and there is more paperwork there than in all the other language schools combined. if i have to cancel a lesson or move one, it's a big deal which needs the director's approval. they pay once a month and i haven't worked there for a month yet, but i suspect it will be done in a timely and honest and well-documented manner.


this week i agreed to work in the fourth language school, ILS. i had a meeting with the director and the education director in which we agreed we were a good fit for each other. they arranged a guided tour of the place (which is three stories) for me this morning. i was impressed by the organization there - certainly not typical of hungary. they gave me keys, had me sign for them, showed me the shedule for all classes, including my own and the ones i might be asked to substitute teach in, then took me on the tour. they showed me the staff room, the books, the library, introduced me to other teachers and demonstrated some stuff on the computer for me. i was SHOCKED when the woman helping me opened a folder in the computer called "christie" which already had important documents in it for me to review. it's like they're a real business who was expecting a new employee. that was more than i would have said for ANY of the three high schools i've worked in. whoa!


then i checked my email and saw that i had received a staff email from ILS. it was addressed to all 30-something teachers and introduced me as the new colleague in the school. it said where i'm from, where i studied, what my degree and certifications are, complimented my american accent, and referenced my hungarian skills. it asked them to help me in fit in and gave my contact information.


o.
m.
g.


that's the best welcome i've ever had in this country and i haven't even started working there yet!!! my first class is on tuesday and i truly can't wait.


things are starting to shape up... végre. :D

moving

i'm moving today! i currently live in a small flat on the school campus (the bad school). but this weekend i found a one bedroom place that accepts dogs, was reasonably priced, is 3 years old, is acceptably furnished, and isn't too far from the city center, so i snatched it up! pictures to come, but gimme a break 'cause i'm moving!! yay!!

anonymous

when you post anonymously on my blog, pleeeeeease sign your name (and if you're a stranger, mention that, too) 'cause i go nuts trying to figure it out. thanks.

end of school

today was my last day of teaching.

*deep and heavy sigh*

i couldn't be happier to be finished.

this year i was less content with my life than i've ever been. overall school was not good. not fun. not rewarding. i've weighed it in my mind and, though there were some good kids, good times, good lessons, good relationships, i honestly -and regretfully- think i would have been better off somewhere else this year. i try to live in such a way that i have no regrets, but this year got the best of me. i feel like i wasted my time here. that's a stomach-wrenching feeling i don't hope to experience again.

kids are kids everywhere, i realize. they're teenagers who have bigger things on their minds than learning english. it really sucks when your students don't care about what you're teaching. i think i was spoiled when i taught ESL in texas and my students were so desperate to learn english.

i also teach in language schools here where the students (adults) do their homework, pay attention for the whole lesson, and want to make up missed lessons.

i taught in a great school last year where the students are all college-bound, bright, and have good senses of humor. we got on pretty well (save 2 evil classes) and got a lot done. when we said goodbye there were cheek kisses, hugs, gifts, and even tears.

today, on my last day of school, i was jovial and jubilant and giddy and blissful, as i was wholeheartedly aware that i don't have to do this again. there were no cheek kisses, hugs, or gifts. i cried a tear or two of "wow, i actually survived" relief when i came home from the last class.

this year i taught in two schools. one is a catholic school full of mostly polite students. their ability in english varied, as did their attitudes toward learning, but at least their behavior was under control. sometimes they didn't want to learn or do anything, sometimes they whined when we had conversations for grades, but they were respectful and i felt like they cared about the kind of adults they will become.

the teachers in the good school were very friendly and helpful. they always asked about me and my classes and vacations and my life. we ate together, talked together, joked together, and had a memorable and pleasant year. i'll gladly stay in touch with the people i got to know there as long as possible. i'll likely offer them a speech of gratitude for the great year and thank them for their kindness toward a stranger in a strange land. they are the only reason i'm still sane. and that's the truth.

in the bad school... wow. there were good kids in every class, of course, but they were largely outnumbered and overshadowed by the bad behavior and attitudes rampant in the 'lutheran' high school. the level of english varied, certainly, but on a much lower scale. teaching here was nearly impossible and it's devastating to think these people will soon be RUNNING hungarian society. lord help hungary. to sum up the year: i had problems with, shed tears over, got fighting mad at, and mentally gave up on the students, teachers, AND administrators. it got me thinking i shouldn't even be a teacher because i seriously can't cope with people behaving in ways i witnessed this year.

i am certain i won't be missed (or even remembered) in this school. i say that because they forgot about me the entire year. i also say that because of their record with native english teachers. thankfullyly, they are not representative of all hungarian people. most hungarians strive to be hospitable and friendly (at least once they get tot know you...).

last year the teachers in my old school gave me a gift and a goodbye letter with all of their signatures. even the administrators, who didn't speak english, bid me farewell with kisses and good wishes. i felt sad to leave the staff last year and knew i'd miss those people and exchanged phone numbers with some so that we'd stay in touch.

i neither expect nor want the same goodbye from these people (bad school peeps). there are 2 or 3 teachers who would give me the time of day, so i'll say goodbye to them. i'll actually MISS the financial office ladies, the cleaning staff, the ladies who guard the door, the secretary, my neighbor the priest, and the handy man when i'm gone. i guess these are more 'my people' than my "colleagues". i've never felt like part of the staff here and i'm going to count that a blessing.

i'm sorry to report this to you, family and friends (and possible strangers), really sorry. honesty has won out. this year was an emotional roller coaster from which i'm happy to alight. i'm a different person now than i was. unfortunately, i'm think i'm more bitter and cynical, less inspired, less motivated, and less hopeful. i was unprepared for such a year and my spirit paid the price for it. i'll inwardly address this during the summer, but i'm burnt out hardcore and i really need a break.

*sigh*

done.

finally.