I am long overdue for a post. Let me update you on life here in France, what I'm up to, how teaching is going, etc. Teaching is going well. It certainly isn't what I had imagined, in that I'm not working as much as I expected. I knew going in that my contract was only for 12 hours in the schools per week, but considering the limited nature of my contract I imagined that my schools would try to make the most use of me, and that I would be teaching every minute I was in school. That hasn't turned out to be the case. In the beginning, especially, it seemed that the schools didn't know exactly what to do with me - they were asking ME what my role was. There were many days where I would do English for maybe 2 out of the 8 hours I was actually in the schools. The rest of the time I spent observing other subjects and going with classes to various activities (swimming, science fair, the town greenhouse, helping with a photo collage project, gymnastics classes), which while interesting, have absolutely nothing to do with English. And many of the times I did actually teach, I would go into the classroom with no forewarning of what the teacher wanted covered...so I would either be told right before class and adlib with the teacher's materials, or I would present a lesson that I had prepared. In the case of the former, I would often end up frustrated that I didn't teach the material very well (not surprising, since I had little time to prepare) and in the case of the latter, I would end up frustrated that, although I taught the lesson well, the lesson was not well suited to the age level (I teach all levels between Kindergarten and 5th grade). This is not to say that I didn't enjoy the work, it's just that I didn't feel like I was being very useful or effective.

Now, however, with 3 months experience under my belt (halfway through!) I feel I'm being more effective and better utilized. I have a schedule at all three of my schools, and my teachers talk to me in advance about what they want me to cover. I go in with a plan! And I have a better handle on what each grade can handle (the kindergartners are not yet ready for the causes of the Civil War & the 5th graders have got their colors down). I am well along on the learning curve. I wish my contract was a few months longer because I know the months to come will be better than the first three.

The kids are great. Most of them are quite interested and eager to learn English and they're still getting their heads around the idea that an actual American who really speaks English is in their classroom in little Cleon, France. Among the 5-11 demographic in Cleon I am a celebrity. I think I say "Hello" about 1000 times every day I'm at school. The teachers have been very helpful as well. I always have a ride to and from school, which is a great opportunity to have a French conversation in a comfortable atmosphere (one-on-one is much easier than in a group). They're curious about America and I try my best, despite my linguistic limitations, to answer their questions and correct their misconceptions (i.e. there is no separation of Church and State in the US, hot dogs are the national food, etc).

I couldn't imagine a better living situation. I live with 5 young Frenchies - 2 students and 3 who have jobs. They are very nice, very welcoming, and very patient with my lousy French. We usually eat dinner together (at least three of us), we go to the movies and take day trips together, and so there's plenty of opportunity for me to practice my French...and to have fun with locals! The apartment itself is really great as well, recently renovated with all new IKEA stuff. My room has a TV, a huge desk that overlooks a big window, and plenty of storage space. Plus, we have several modern conveniences that, while standard in the US, are not so common in France: a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a dryer. The utility of a dishwasher in a apartment of 6 does not need further explanation, but the washer and dryer are truly a blessing as well. Before I moved in here I did wash twice at the laundromat: each time it cost 14EUR!!! At those rates, I don't think I would have been the best ambassador of American hygiene...

I am so thankful for the church I have become a part of. It's a baptist church led by an American missionary family, who have been wonderful in helping welcome myself and my friend Elizabeth, another American language assistant. There are also a considerable number (25+) of young people who have made us a part of the social network, which has been fantastic. The church is very multi-cultural, with French, Americans, Gabonese, Kenyans, Nigerians, Haitians, Colombians. I am thankful to have found a spiritual home with many really solid men and women of faith.

My mission for 2011 is to make a better use of my spare time. I want to tutor and find some volunteer opportunities. Furthermore, I want to seize every opportunity I have to improve my French. So I'm going to watch more TV. Seriously. I find watching TV very helpful at improving my comprehension as there are images to accompany the words. I'm also going to search for some language partners, some French people who want to work on their English. We can talk in English for a bit, and then in French. I find I am less self-conscious around those who are also trying to learn a second language. And I'm going to read more in French. I want to be able to get through the whole newspaper before it is no longer news...

And another goal of mine is to write more often! And to take more pictures. Here's a shot of the Rouen Cathedral before Christmas with a ferris wheel in front...