Better Together-Jack Johnson

Back to CCL for more English classes, I am continually impressed with the quality of the questions the students ask us and this morning we discussed many things from favorite authors and books to current events.  We ran a few errands and tried a new kilo restaurant for lunch.  Of course I had to try the brigadeiro-just to compare which one was the best…so far I haven’t met one I didn’t like J.

 

Teacher Team

Being a little silly

me and Zilmar

We spent the afternoon planning and collaborating.  It is so exciting to brainstorm with teachers from multiple content backgrounds brought together by a desire to increase students’ global education.  Tami introduced Alex and I to a quote that I think summarizes the fact that we all have so much to learn from each other.

Remember you're no better than anyone else, but you're just as good.

                     -Emma Lou Thane

The evening session was spent with Alex’s conversational English class.  We did all kinds of activities from story-telling to discussing important political issues, it was an inspiring three hours.  The students in the class are truly impressive with their desire to learn and practice English.  In a town like Teresina, which doesn’t receive many foreigners, students are desperate to practice English with native speakers and we left class with many new Facebook friends.  During class students asked us such insightful questions such as:

• How do we feel about terrorism in our country?
• What are the best and worst aspects of the American system of education?
• What do we think about the protests going on in Brazil and what would we like to protest in our own country?
• What adjective would we use to describe Teresina?
• What inspires us when we are teaching?

conversation class fun, there were story starters on the balloons to work on speaking skills

We had some wonderful discussions as students practiced their English.  Class ended with a party and sharing of gifts and we introduced the students to huckleberry lemonade from the Rocky Mountains.

I was obsessed with this pack of dogs that spent the day at CCL.  Tami and Alex wouldn't let me pet them (don't worry mom, I wouldn't have really done it :) Around 5 they all headed out and we never saw them again.

After class we had a great time with two Fulbright students working in Teresina at the federal university.  Mika and Elena are from South Dakota and New York.  They have been in Teresina since February working as assistants to English professors.  It was fun to share some of our cultural observations with people who understood the culture we are coming from.