A Whole Month Has Gone!
- Nov 29, 2017
- 4 min read
Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that my time in Sri Lanka has already reached 4 weeks. This time last week I had just landed back in my favourite country, greeted by one of my favourite people in the world, and hit by my favourite heat. And of course, let’s not forget, I had also lost my luggage.
Looking back on my arrival, it seems like only yesterday, but also a million years ago. So much has happened in my 1 month here in Wattala, and so many wonderful memories have already been made. I feel at home here; so welcomed, settled in, and definitely feeling like one of the teachers at school.
I continued my time this week in both Sunshine and Shalom classes at Paalam International School, and I have to say I am feeling nice and settled in both. They each offer something totally different: Shalom – challenging children and fluent English; Sunshine – cute faces and photogenic children.
In Sunshine I have been able to get to grips with the phonic system they use here in the school, as this will be beneficial to me when I am in Jaffna beginning to teach English to adults and children who have very limited knowledge of the language. For me it seems a complicated way to learn how to speak English, but then I guess having had the privilege to grow up in England and know this language as my mother tongue I have never needed to fully understand or be taught phonics. Plus, I don’t ever remember being taught phonics, but my cousins who are much younger than me definitely did. I guess schooling has progressed and developed over time, and now I need to be caught up to speed!
Sunshine class have two great teachers, who are passionate about seeing the children in their class have the best foundations for continuing at Paalam International School. As the curriculum is entirely in English, it is imperative that the school has teachers, like these to ensure the children have the best start to learning they possibly can. It’s so different from UK schooling, as the children have to be taught vocabulary the kids in the UK would know by the age of 5 in under a year. That’s 5 years of learning in only 9 months. The kids in Sunshine class have their work cut out, but their determination to learn and soak in as much as they can, is truly phenomenal.
Shalom on the other hand are as much as a handful as they have been the last two weeks. I honestly cannot have imagined my time here in Wattala without being in their class – they are such great kids and a real challenge. They definitely have a piece of my heart and I can’t wait to surprise them with visits whenever I get the opportunity, whether it’s coming down from Jaffna or back from the UK after I return home!
One teacher in particular this week I have bonded with, is from Sunshine Class – Miss Nisha. Her birthday is actually tomorrow (30th November) and we have celebrations planned. This week she offered to take me shopping for the Christmas Programme at school on December 8th. I’m so excited and the additional anticipation of being taken shopping for an outfit was definitely a high I shan’t forget.
Saturday was the day we went shopping, and I successfully purchased my FIRST SARI… I will not be giving away any details on the colouring as I want it to be a surprise for everyone, including the kids at school. Only a few people know who it was unavoidable to keep it a secret from. I am looking forward to attending the school event and being dressed the proper way! Apparently everyone goes all out – I have the earrings, bangles and shoes to complete my outfit. Fingers crossed I don’t have any wardrobe malfunctions!!
We have had illness after illness in the house this last week; colds, fevers and the odd sleepless nights. Luckily I was the least affected, but it has not been nice seeing the girls I am living with being unwell – we have all pretty much fully recovered, and are beginning to all get our mojos back.
My responsibilities at school have begun to increase, and in my class I have been dealing with handing out merits to students (and de-merits), marking PACE Tests, writing congratulation slips and offering one-on-one tuition. This tuition has taken many forms, including French, Essay Writing and Maths. I am enjoying these sessions as it has allowed me to get better acquainted with a few of the older students and it seems to be helpful for them as many have a goal in their sight of finishing their schooling before term begins again in January. I just hope they make it!
The usual Sri Lankan games happened this week, including Cricket – in the street and on the beach, hanging with the girls and President (card game). Alongside this, I learned a new board game, involving flicking a large circular disk against smaller (draught piece size) counters, and landing them into pockets of a slippery board. It was great fun, and Tharshini and I formed a team against what seemed to be professionals. We were playing on Sunday night until almost Midnight. It was definitely a great laugh and a game I hope to play again soon – and win!
Family and Friends - please note my UK number expires on 30th November, after this, you will not be able to get ahold of me on it. Therefore Whatsapp, Viber and texts etc. will not be delivered to me. If you need to get ahold of me, use Facebook Messenger for the time being until I have got it sorted.
I have for the last week been trying to get a Sri Lankan Sim, but there have been many issues. Once I have successfully got a new number I will ensure my contacts have all received it so we can get back to talking and catching up!
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