Still learning

For about three weeks one of my counterparts had been gone sick, so I took over her classes myself which was difficult, but I started thinking about a year ago when I first came here and had to teach a ton of classes on my own and how stressed out I was then compared to now… It just seemed more normal this time. Sure, I got mad at kids and gave out some bad grades, but the stress wasn’t nearly as crushing as it was when I first got to site. The work didn’t change, just the environment. It also helps that I can give threats in Russian now.

My counterpart finally returned this week and I am really glad she’s back, but it was good to find that I’m capable of handling them on my own.

I’ve also started teaching about 10 hours of primary classes, and those teachers aren’t the best at arriving at class on time… So I’d start the class. The thing about primary language teaching is I need a translator. Especially since all but one of those classes are Kazakh classes. But one of the teachers came in as I was saying “Have you got a mother? Have you got a father?” and then translating into Kazakh. She was really impressed. “Oh! Jess! You don’t even need me! You know the Kazakh!” Uhhhh, yeah, I need you, but I’m flattered anyway.

I can teach in elementary Kazakh!