Täglich Wiederkehrendes Abenteuer

So, I’m not very busy at my school right now.  Two of the teachers are out of town this week, and some of them just don’t need me.  One I emailed and never heard back from him.  I’m supposed to be doing something for 13 hours a week.  This week, I will do about 7 hours.  I am also supposed to meet up with groups of two students for one hour at a time, just to do some two on one conversing.  I think that could be fun, but so far only one student has scheduled a meeting with me.  If they all wait until the last minute, I will have some busy weeks ahead of me.  In any case, I do hope things pick up so I can get closer to the 13 hours.  Otherwise, it just won’t be the experience I was hoping for.

On Monday, we didn’t do much besides go to the gym.  I think on Tuesday, we went to the Interspar and got some stuff.  Wednesday, I had some classes.  They are going to be elementary school teachers, so I introduced myself and talked a bit about my life in the United States.  Then I sang some children’s songs with them: Twinkle Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Row Row Your Boat, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Old MacDonald, and Farmer in the Dell.  I’m glad I know children’s songs (thanks Mom!).  I think the Hokey Pokey could be fun for next time.  I did that for two classes Wednesday and I’ll do the same thing for three classes on Saturday.

Today (Thursday), I met up with Elke, a language partner, that I met through an Internet ad I posted.  Today was the second time we met.  The first time we met, we went to a cafe and it was a little strange as we struggled for things to say.  I think it’s a bit weird to meet someone and then just sit and talk to them.  There are also cultural differences.  For example, she might not know the television shows, movies, or books that I know and vice versa.  Also, that whole language thing.

This time we met, I think it was better just because we knew each other a bit better.  I also brought a picture story.  It’s a series of pictures that tell a story and you look at the pictures and describe them in your second language.  I also brought a deck of cards and an article about multiculturalism in Germany.  She brought some questions she had about an English paper she is writing and she brought some books to lend to me.

After we had our tea and coffee, we went to look at some of the churches in Linz.  Then, I started talking about my interest in trying Ultimate Frisbee.  So we decided to try to find a Frisbee.  We had no luck at sports equipment stores.  We eventually found a red throwing ring at the 1 Euro store.  It’s intended for dogs and I’m not sure yet how far it will fly, but it only cost an Euro, so I thought I would try it out.  I also found a small children’s book about going shopping.

We might try to each gather a few friends so we can do something in a small group.  I think that way, there is a lot less pressure on one person to keep the conversation going.  I think it could turn into a good thing.

Tomorrow, I’m meeting with a student for a one-on-one meeting and then I will have a class in the afternoon where I’ll help with some grammar and vocabulary.  If there is time, I might be able to do some things about Halloween.