Hi!
Anna and I have been busily preparing the summer curriculum for both the Change House boys and the Entoto kids. All students will get about 15 hours a week, mainly focusing on English. We have given them assessments to place them in groups according to speaking and reading level. For any of my ESL/EAL teacher friends out there, please send any suggestions my way! We'll do some math too. It's been a while since I even considered the phrase SoaCoaToa and other trig work!
Next week I start my Amharic classes. A lot of educated people here in Addis speak English to varying degrees since it is taught in school in the primary levels and then all classes are taught in English starting in 8th grade. What is frustrating though is that the teachers themselves have poor English. I find myself correcting English on the boys' tests and in their textbooks! It will be good to know basic Amharic to communicate with the children and families at Entoto, with the Change boys and negotiating cab fares! I have picked up basic, daily phrases but look forward to learning more (and a whole new alphabet of over 100 characters...). The script to me looks like a combo of Arabic and Chinese.
Fun side story - as the group from Chicago was leaving, one student was unable to board because of a visa situation. Everything was fine but I did spend a good chunk of time in the U.S. Embassy to get an official letter stating his documents were, in fact, in order and to let him on the plane back to the U.S. In the lobby of the embassy, they show the Armed Forces Network. I got to see glimpses of the Today Show, Dr. Phil and some amazing commercials - America at its finest!
Some of you are aware that my 30th birthday is coming up on Thursday! I am stoked to be spending it in Africa but sad not to be with my family and friends. If you wish you could buy me a birthday meal or drink, consider donating to my year here (https://secure.qgiv.com/for/?key=bezafund&restrict=Lisa+Steinhoff). It will be the greatest birthday present I could ask for this year. I still need to raise just over $1000 to cover my basic living expenses. Some Ethiopians that I work with don't know when their birthday is - just a guess of the season and year. So birthdays are not a big thing here but I will go out to dinner with some friends and listen to some local jazz to bring in the new decade. :)
Love,
Lisa
P.S. I know - no pics. I'll be better next time!
Anna and I have been busily preparing the summer curriculum for both the Change House boys and the Entoto kids. All students will get about 15 hours a week, mainly focusing on English. We have given them assessments to place them in groups according to speaking and reading level. For any of my ESL/EAL teacher friends out there, please send any suggestions my way! We'll do some math too. It's been a while since I even considered the phrase SoaCoaToa and other trig work!
Next week I start my Amharic classes. A lot of educated people here in Addis speak English to varying degrees since it is taught in school in the primary levels and then all classes are taught in English starting in 8th grade. What is frustrating though is that the teachers themselves have poor English. I find myself correcting English on the boys' tests and in their textbooks! It will be good to know basic Amharic to communicate with the children and families at Entoto, with the Change boys and negotiating cab fares! I have picked up basic, daily phrases but look forward to learning more (and a whole new alphabet of over 100 characters...). The script to me looks like a combo of Arabic and Chinese.
Fun side story - as the group from Chicago was leaving, one student was unable to board because of a visa situation. Everything was fine but I did spend a good chunk of time in the U.S. Embassy to get an official letter stating his documents were, in fact, in order and to let him on the plane back to the U.S. In the lobby of the embassy, they show the Armed Forces Network. I got to see glimpses of the Today Show, Dr. Phil and some amazing commercials - America at its finest!
Some of you are aware that my 30th birthday is coming up on Thursday! I am stoked to be spending it in Africa but sad not to be with my family and friends. If you wish you could buy me a birthday meal or drink, consider donating to my year here (https://secure.qgiv.com/for/?key=bezafund&restrict=Lisa+Steinhoff). It will be the greatest birthday present I could ask for this year. I still need to raise just over $1000 to cover my basic living expenses. Some Ethiopians that I work with don't know when their birthday is - just a guess of the season and year. So birthdays are not a big thing here but I will go out to dinner with some friends and listen to some local jazz to bring in the new decade. :)
Love,
Lisa
P.S. I know - no pics. I'll be better next time!
i guess when people say that to really learn a language, you have to live in that place, it's true. i can't believe you've already picked up some phrases! awesome! good luck with the class.
ReplyDeleteand i'll be sure to raise a glass in your honor on the 16th. it's going to be a good decade.
Hi Lisa! It will be both my birthday and Dawit's shortly after I arrive, so we'll have to celebrate ours and yours! I can't wait to get back there and have you teach me all the Amharic you've learned!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy Birthday! So excited to have you join the 30 y/o club! Schutt's next, right?
ReplyDelete