Hey all!
It seems that my blogs become less frequent as I become more comfortable and busy with my life here in Spain. Before arriving here, I wanted to make sure I was at least somewhat busy so that when the homesickness hit, I wouldn't have much time to think about what it would be like to be home with my close friends and family, nor feel the sadness that accompanies it. Originally, I had planned to start my translation and interpretation certificate program after returning home from Spain. It turns out that there were a few classes available online, so signing up for one would give me a head start on my certificate, and would keep me from getting too comfortable being out of school after graduation. I never thought that just ONE course would occupy so much of my time! I am currently taking a Spanish to English translation course, and we have gone into complete depth of the English language, with all of itscorrect punctuation and grammar. Not to mention the amount and intensity of the translations that are given! It may not sound intense to some, but the reality is that all the precise details of each language must be understood, practiced and memorized in order to be taken seriously as a translator, and be seen as a professional. If a client sees the tiniest mistake in the beginning of a piece of work, the continuation of your "professional" translation career may no longer exist. Although the work is tough, it has kept me on my toes and has kept me challenging myself, which I have realized is something I appreciate so much.
My job as a teacher has helped me learn how enjoyable and beneficial a good challenge can be. Always having to find a way to keep the interest of your students, having to change a whole [planned] lesson based on how the students are feeling/responding that day, trying to find examples in order to make the understanding of a topic thorough in English AND Spanish, etc. This demonstrates just some examples of what the life of a [bilingual] teacher may lead. Yes, I am merely an assistant in the classroom, but I have picked up three one-hour English tutoring sessions so far, which has also taken up a lot of my time. I make my own lesson plans, diagrams and worksheets, and have a diversity of students, including a group of first graders, third graders, and middle schoolers. I find that working with just a few students at a time is very rewarding, and allows the students to get close and comfortable with you, their teacher. Working on your own also allows you to get creative, and do whatever your little heart desires.
I have always been a fan of creativity, whether it be to create a poster, make a scrapbook, arrange pictures in an unfamiliar way, etc. I am completely in love with the idea of being surrounding by pretty things, although I believe creativity exists in many other forms as well. Creativity may mean moving to Spain to learn Spanish. Or it may mean becoming a beautiful dancer or painter (which unfortunately, I possess neither of those skills...haha). Either way, being creative means using your imagination to its fullest. Some may see creative people as weird, or "artsy." Others may see creative people as those who waste time on topics and talents that are useless. But nowadays, those individuals who are creative have skillfully developed their brain in a way that others have developed theirs in math or science, or other "important" topics. Being different is what makes people unique and original, and still today, creative people are seen as "different." In the future, being creative may not even exist if it is continued to be frowned upon or criticized.
My colleague informed me of this speech by Sir Ken Robinson. He questions and approaches the fact that schools possibly kill the creativity of young people in society. He has a good point; not everyone is the same, yet society has made it so that every child must act and behave the same way. After working in many different classrooms, I have seen what Robinson is talking about, especially in the younger grades, like first and second. For instance, there is one young girl in first grade who, to any other person, would look a bit spacey. However, she is smart, and knows most of the answers when the teacher calls on her. She just looks rather bored most of the time, doesn't really give off the "smart" vibe, and some may try and diagnose her with something. But maybe being in a structured classroom isn't as fitting for her as it is for other children. The same may apply to those children who are constantly getting in trouble--not for being a bully or hurtful to others, but for not behaving as the teacher wants them to. I am not trying to challenge anyone's beliefs, nor am I trying to change anyone's mind; I merely found Robinson's purpose and point fascinating. Take it for what you will...
