Phew! I think I'm finally through with choosing Bali pictures! Follow the links at the end of this post. Now, I just have to figure out how to put the video clips that I took into some kind of short movie. That will have to wait awhile for now since things are really busy for me.
I am teaching the level 1 & 2 international students this quarter. It's a big adjustment after teaching the advanced, adult English-learners for the past 2 and 1/2 years! I have to speak a lot slower and write a lot on the board. Most of my students have only been here about 3 weeks now. They are not used to hearing native spoken English, and they also didn't get much speaking practice in their English classes in their countries. Most other countries focus on grammar and writing when students study English as a foreign language. Then students come here thinking that they'll be in a much higher level than they test into because their speaking and listening are low.
I have a couple of students who can only write very short phrases and others who can write a simple (though error-laden) essay. I do hours of lesson planning every day. As I think I said in a previous post, this is known as the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) where I teach. It's also very intensive for the teachers with lots more to grade, correct, and planning for levels that I'm not used to teaching.
On top of that, I have a student that has caused quite a bit of hassle these past two weeks. I'm praying for patience and wisdom in how to deal with him. Last night during my bible study, I felt the stress disintegrating as I was reminded that God will give me wisdom to teach a wide variety of English abilities, some very needy students, and that I don't have to teach them everything. I only need to teach them what they need for this level. They seem like they have so far to go!
Tomorrow, I'll be taking 6 students to some local farms that are opening their doors to the community for the "Festival of Family Farms". I'm so thankful that the student who has been a real stress did not decide to come! Thank you Lord!! Even though it's supposed to rain, hopefully it'll be a fun time for them.
OH, and here are the last of the Bali pics--follow the links below! I hope some of you are still looking at them and getting a good overview of that part of the world.
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