In college, you know how you cram for finals the night before the exam by staying up all night on Red Bull and coffee? Then, you barely make it to class on time for your final because you're a zombie with no sleep, and you cannot remember one single thing you crammed into your brain for the last 8 hours? Well, this is WAYYYYY worse than that... Welcome to Hell Week.
After 30 hours of training in week 1, we were thrown to the lion's den for week 2. Most TEFL courses are 4 weeks and 120 hours of training. The program I'm in is a shortened version, which loosely translates to "Hell on Earth." We had to prepare 4 lesson plans and present them to Kindergarten through Primary age groups for observed teaching practices. Meaning, we would teach a class while an observer graded us on how well we did. This was the first time I realized I could actually fail the TEFL training. Wait... WHAT???
I didn't fail, obviously. But, I could've.
Lesson plans consist of a 10-12 page document outlining exactly what you're going to do in class (like word for word what you're going to say / do for a 50 minute period), a worksheet that you have to create with 8-10 questions and coinciding images, a whiteboard presentation, and a zillion flashcards for the "hands-on" practice round.
Literally. Zillions.
Even with the last minute preparation, nothing quite prepares you for actually teaching. Nor could anything prepare you for the heat. Most schools in rural Thailand are an "open space" concept. Meaning, there is no air conditioning. Repeat: NO AC. It's an average of 90 degrees here with 100% humidity... And that's on a cold day. I've never been so dehydrated in my life... And I've been front-row for Bassnectar at Hangout while drinking alcohol.
Back sweat is sexy, right?
These last two weeks have taught me to have a new found respect for teachers. Clearly, "teacher" is code for super hero.
Fake it 'til you make it.
So, what's next? Oh, you know... The usual. Just getting shipped off to a school in the middle of nowhere to teach a class all by myself. Most likely, no one in the school will speak any English (teachers or students). Maybe, if I'm lucky, another intern or two will be assigned to the same school. But, for the most part, I'm riding solo. Am I ready for that? No. Do I have a choice? No. Do I need to see a doctor about my increased blood pressure? Yes.
Graduating class of 2015. Never thought I'd say that again...