Well...Things are definitely looking up. I have a new friend who is in a lot of my classes, and is fun to talk to. As soon as I have a cell phone I will start giving out my number so I can get involved with social activities. Every morning I wake up at 6:40 to get ready for school. I fix myself breakfast, which is normally cereal. It is a 20 minute walk to school, at my pace, so I leave the house at 7:30. On the way to school I walk past the historical square and Trutnov's version of the farmer's market. The first class begins at 8:00, but I like to give myself a little more time to find where I need to be. I got turned around many times this week, but people that I have never even talked to before are happy to help me, even if they don't speak English. My schedule is different every day of the week, so I cant tell about school by period. Instead I will go class by class.
Math is geometry, and mostly over my head. I sit and copy down what the teacher draws on the board, which is a lot of circles, lines, and triangles. The teacher is the Czech version of my former history teacher at Woodland, Mr. Betz. The people who know Mr. Betz should find that funny. He is the same teacher who I tried to tell that I don't speak much Czech. I realized later that I told him that HE didn't speak much Czech, whoops. This language doesn't always use pronouns, so ending are really important.
The teacher also teaches physics. I don't even know what the topic is right now. Every word is over my head, so I have started to use the class as a study time.
I think that I am in two French classes right now, beginner and intermediate. I like the beginner better because it helps me learn Czech and my French skills seemed to disappear over the summer. The teacher has a different accent from what I am used to, but that makes the class even more beneficial.
For English I go to the most advanced class available for my grade. The teacher loves having me there, and asks me to talk about different subjects. Today I was asked to tell everything I know about Elvis. Random, I know.
The P.E. teacher seems really nice, and it feels good be outside during the day, even if it is only once a week. This week we played soccer and tested how far we could throw what looked like a weighted grenade. I cant remember what my best distance was, but it wasn't too bad.
Czech language class is fun because the teacher speaks almost perfect English. He is my private tutor as well as my 'guide' when I need help. He sometimes takes a little time out of the main lesson to have the kids help me with my Czech, which means a lot to me. I keep hearing the name Jean Valjean, so I think they are talking about Les Mis right now. It is ironic that I am continuing to read the book.
Geography is interesting just to see what my classmates know. I don't understand the lecture, and all of the place names are different. When people to up to the front of the room to point to things on the map, they are quizzed about places that I have never heard of before. Often it is a small island in the Baltic Sea, or a small body of water. Somewhere might not be a place in the news everyday, but I think that it is important to know about the world. My experiences so far have established that even more. I feel so ignorant most of the time.
Twice a week I am going to have Czech lessons with the English speaking teacher. He will teach me and another American in the school, and a girl from Thailand. It was just me and the Thai girl this week, and she seems like a great person. She is living near me, and has asked if we could do things together sometime. Our one lesson this week was about Czech phonetics and simple questions. One fun thing about the language is the letter ř . Every person who tries to teach me seems to say it a little differently. It is like rolling your 'r' while saying 'sh' or 'zh' at the same time. I should have it down by the time I return home.
One class I had today was a Czech civic class. It seemed like it would be interesting, but I don't understand what is going on. The teacher found out I don't speak the language, and just ignorned me for the rest of the class. I used the time to study Czech instead.
My new favorite class is history. The teacher speaks English, and is one of the most kind and helpful people I have come across at the school. She found a HUGE European history textbook, in English, that I can follow along in. I learned about some of the early empires today, including Charlemagne. History has always been a favorite subject, and I'm glad that I'm not missing a year of it.
I have lunch in the school canteen everyday after my last class. The food isn't very good, but it is hot. The Czechs LOVE soup, so it comes with the meal everyday.
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3 comments:
What a good mixture of classes and opportunities to truly learn Czech. How nice that new friends are there to guide you along and to have fun. The HOT soup will taste and feel very good, come the first snow. Enjoy!
feeling ignorant ... i remember that so well, feeling so like a little girl again, just trying to figure out which bus to take to get to my school. and oh how grateful i became for the kindness of strangers.
strangers so generously helped me to find my way to countless locations, rescued me when i was lost, and "practised" speaking with me. one shopkeeper spoke everyday with me and encouraged me to persevere in my studies. it was not until the very end of my time in Mexico that I learned she also spoke English, she was so respectful of my need to struggle through using my language skills i was learning. i remember her so fondly.
enjoy your "czech language study hour" now. later, you will find you do understand what people are saying, but give it time.
love from auntie sara
Dear Bronwyn,
You are such a trooper!!! It gives me such joy to read your messages. I can identify very well with your present "tribulations" and am so happy that you are finding helpful friends as well as teachers. So, carry on! Vera (and do eat one extra plate of soup for me, will you?)
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