Monday, September 21, 2009

Corporate Classes

When I first started teaching here, I didn't dislike my corporate classes, but I was never really too excited to go to them. Part of that may have been from the fact that they started at 6:30 or 7 in the morning, but teaching adults can be fairly difficult. I know they lead busy lives, but it's hard when they don't want to do homework or arrive 45 minutes late to class and they think games and roleplays are silly but never want to practice grammar. It was hard to motivate them to speak up and participate on their own, but after two months I finally got the hang of it and was disappointed when I found out that I would be switching companies.

Since I've been back from my summer vacation, I've taken on three more corporate classes and have started teaching in the evenings. My night classes have been a blast. It's so much fun to see twelve professionals from an investment company joke around with each other, practice meeting and conference call scenarios, and play Catch Phrase and Boggle. Most corporate students see English class as just another thing they have to do for work, but my students genuinely look forward to coming to class, especially after a long and stressful day at work ready to speak and eager to learn.

Some days I still have to wake up at 5am, but this session of corporate classes has been extremely refreshing. Now, my crazy work schedule is seemingly a little bit more manageable.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

One Cake, Two Cake, Pink Cake, Cheesecake

I started out today by oversleeping and having to cancel my first class. First mistake as a 23-year-old, but at least I plan on not making too many more. Five cakes, three parties, and a homemade lunch later, birthday week still isn't over quite yet. Here are some pictures of the day:
Giant birthday cards from my younger girls. Notice the glitter.

Cake #1

Cake #2

Surprise party from my older girls.

Flowers sent to the school from Mom and Dad.

Lunch, cake, and presents from my Colombian family.

Cake #5 from my corporate class. SO full at this point, but still managed to eat a full slice.