My First Day of "Work"

My job has officially started today, and with it the frustrations of working in a different country! I am supposed to work 12 hours a week... this is what the Spanish government pays me 700€/month to do. The girls I have met who have done this before have never had a problem with their schools sticking to this time table. Of course I had to be the exception! As it is, Carmona is 45 minutes from Seville, adding an hour and a half to each day's schedule. But today, my coordinator showed me this week's "provisional" schedule. It was Monday through Thursday usually 8:00-2:30 (with breaks), 12.5 hours of teaching in total but 21 hours spent there, and on Thursday my "break" was from 9:00-1:30... WTF!?

So, I had to say something. If anything this experience will help me be more of an assertive person because I know that is the only way to not be trampled in this country! I told my coordinator that I am only contracted to work 12 hours a week, and that with a half hour break each day my schedule shouldn't exceed 14 hours at the school. She knew this already, but "it was soooo difficult because everyone wants you in their classroom" she told me. She made me a new schedule today that I will start using next week and its much better. Yet it will alternate every week which is annoying! Basically, she will be making me a "Schedule A" and "Schedule B" and I will keep alternating between the two. It also means that I see each class only once every 2 weeks! Personally, I don't see how this is very effective... wouldn't it be better if I saw only a few classes (not 20 different ones like it is now) and that I met with them more frequently?

But oh well. As long as my hours are reasonable, I don't care what they do!

Besides the schedule fiasco, my first day was fine. I introduced myself to the classes and had them "interview" me. Most classes were VERY shy and not very participative. Their level of English is very low. I met with a variety of age groups (from 12-18) and my favorite group was definitely the 12 year olds. I walked into their classroom and was overwhelmed by all the tiny people wearing pink! It must be this year's "color" or maybe it was just because the class was primarily girls... Anyway, these kids were too young to be shy! Although they probably had the lowest level of English they asked the most questions by far. My favorite had to be one little girl asking me:

"Do you like boys brown or clear?" Translation: "Do you prefer brunettes or blonds?"

I told her all like all boys! Haha. One of the hardest parts is having to pretend I don't speak any Spanish. The kids look at me like I'm crazy, and I almost slipped up and translated something many times. Oh well, I'm trying!

Other different things I've noticed so far:

• Like I mentioned previously, students don't switch classes-- teachers do.
• Students call teachers by their first names.
• Although students don't change classes, they must leave the classroom (which is then locked) and wait outside the door until the next teacher comes, then they reenter (pointless?)
• The classroom door is ALWAYS locked from the inside. Anyone who needs to get in knocks (maybe a good idea... Columbine etc.)
• The school itself is very secure. Its surrounded by tall, locked gates and the front (and only) entrance requires you to be buzzed in by security. (This is true of all Spanish Public Schools, not just mine!)
• The bell between classes is not a bell, but rather the most earsplitting siren noise I've ever heard.
• Students don't get a lunch break, but they do get a breakfast/snack break at 11:30-12:00. Lunch is served at home after they get out around 3:00.
• Teachers don't dress up AT ALL for school. They wear jeans and T-shirts, flip flops, converse sneakers, etc.
• Most teachers go to the teacher's lounge between classes or during free periods. Its a very social place since teachers don't have their own classrooms!

Well, that was my first day. We'll see how the next 120-something go...!