Lee Vartanian

I’m in my second week of teaching & 3rd week in Guatemala.  I have 3 weeks left after this.  I’m at that part of the trip where, you simulteously feel at home, and then realize how swiftly your trip is passing, and have an added urgency of making the most of it.

I’m really working hard on my Spanish, but I’m still quite clumsy.  I will feel triumphant if I can emerge from these 6 weeks able to speak Spanish with someone while maintaining eye contact.  Instead, I look up, deep into my brain, trying to find the right conjugations and phrases, as I stall with drawn out “uhhhs” and Spanish conjunctions.  It’s not always a pretty site.  But, to really learn the language, you need to speak it.  So, whenever I find any Spanish speaker to humor me, I hablar their ear off.  I don’t care how scrunched up my face gets.

It’s pretty ironic actually, the process I am involved in.  I am learning Spanish.  I have elementary skills, but am trying hard to advance to the next level.  I’m like a 2nd grade student who can barely read “Curious George” books, but wants to read “Harry Potter.”   When I taught 2nd grade, I had students just like this.  We set reading goals together, so that they could improve in a realistic fashion.  I’m doing the same thing with myself.

I also sort of feel like an elementary student.  I’m working hard at my studies and a part of me always wants the approval and pat-on-the-back from my teacher (tutor).  I do my best to “impress” her with my immaculately completed homework and usage of recently taught conjugations.  I make her laugh quite a bit, so that’s a good sign.

All of this allows me to empathize with my elementary students in a way that is fresh and recent.  I share in the frustration and celebration of learning.

So, I just finished my first full week of teaching 4th grade students in the town of Itzapa, Guatemala.  I was typically nervous all day Sunday, knowing that I would be receiving a new class the following day.  What would they be like?  Is my Spanish good enough to teach them?  Am I truly prepared? 

I thought that after one full week of Spanish tutoring, I would have a couple of days of observation in the school to get to know the kids and see how things are done.  I think that is generally how it’s done with this project, but circumstances afforded me the opportunity (i.e. challenge) of starting teaching full time on Monday.  So I did, with what little Spanish I have. 

my morning class 

To the outside observer, things probably looked fine.  I faked my way through the day with a little Spanish, someone else’s lesson plans, and a large mask of composure.  But inside, I was completely overwhelmed.    I didn’t know the kids, the curriculum, the expectations, the language, the culture, etc.  I felt behind in every way.  This was going to be hard.  I had a sinking feeling that I was approaching my limit, that I wouldn’t find a way to connect with these kids, and that ultimately, maybe this means that I’m not a really good teacher.

Knowing what I learned from my first day, I made some plans for Tuesday and went to bed early–eager to leave Monday behind.  The next day, we worked on fractions in math.  I pre-prepared my Spanish for the lesson and found that, after diagnosing where the students were the day before, I was able to provide a lesson that met their needs.  It wasn’t a grand slam, but it felt like a home run–one run scored.  It did a great deal for my own self-efficacy.

I subsequently found that certain things about teaching work across cultures.  Even though I’m not able to fluently converse in Spanish, I’m able to read body language, diagnose student needs, intervene & encourage appropriately, move around the room constantly, bring positive/strong/confident energy, and, of course, be absolutely consistent with everything I do,  This recipe works at home, and abroad, and helped me get through the week. 

 Pretty much after Monday, each day has been better than the next.  I’m looking forward to the next 4 weeks and where we will go.  I think there’s going to be a lot of growth on both ends.

This is the view from the front door of my house. Notice the basketball court and the ruins of a church (is that a church?) behind it.

It’s Saturday, and I’ve been here one full week. It’s one of those things where I feel like I’ve packed so much into one small week. I’ve made a lot of new friends, explored a new town, and crammed as much Spanish into my brain as possible.

Last night all the GVI staff got together for a BBQ, as we do every Friday. It’s a time where you say goodbye to departing volunteers and great new volunteers. There are probably around 9-10 volunteers at the moment and 5-6 staff/long-term interns. Most are either from the UK, the US, or Australia (in that order). Many are young (18-21) and all are interesting & unique. It’s interesting to see what kind of person decides to spend their summer teaching in a rural school in Guatemala.

I think my Spanish is coming along pretty well. I seem to have turned on the “Spanish switch” in my mind, and it won’t turn off. I’m constantly thinking of different ways to say things in Spanish. Any song that flashes across my mind, is instantly translated (or attempted). When I think about where I was one week ago, with my Spanish, there is no comparison.

Next week, I begin teaching. After a couple days of observation, I will take over my class mid-week. I was told that I will get the older class (ages 8-14). The Project Director, Dom, told me that, knowing my background in early childhood education, he planned to put me with the younger group, but the room where they are taught is not tall enough. I would have to crouch the whole time. I’m looking forward to it, yet I have no idea what to expect (from me or the kids). And, of course, I am a little bit nervous…