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