Hello you, the Students of Life!
As some might have noticed, I have been absent from everything online. Including Skype and not being able to connect with the far. Why? I was teaching!! Yes... Imparting knowledge on the new generation and was that ever FUN!
I never thought that teaching little kids is so taxing on the physical but rewarding on the emotional! I must admit that today being my second day not teaching and I feel something is missing. Those screaming, shouting and cute little devils (said with love of course) will remain as a good reminder of my time in Lebanon.
Someone once told me that we should always teach a class. I see why now! I had already taught English in China before, but teaching Lebanese kids was a completely different story. The Chinese were timid and eager to learn. The Lebanese? No where near timid and just as eager! The result? 3 very energy consuming months but with good rewards. The school was impressed by their levels of improvement and the parents only gave me positive comments.
What I did not expect, however, was how I felt more Lebanese being in a school environment. I am Lebanese, of course, but having spent around 10% of my life in Lebanon, mostly on vacation, I don't know that side of my identity much. In a struggle to find what being Lebanese is and how to be Lebanese and how not to, I found a little of it in French speaking Lebanese trying to learn English! So there was someone like me growing up INSIDE Lebanon!
So, I've graduated from school as my friends so lovingly put it. I've graduated with a new found love for Lebanon through the eyes of the young. It is true that "out of the mouths of babes" come the most surprising accounts. In my case, I found a new part of myself.
So, last Thursday the 1st of March 2012, I graduated into a new found part of me. Here's to the other Students of Life, may you all graduate into new YOUs as well ;)
C
As some might have noticed, I have been absent from everything online. Including Skype and not being able to connect with the far. Why? I was teaching!! Yes... Imparting knowledge on the new generation and was that ever FUN!
I never thought that teaching little kids is so taxing on the physical but rewarding on the emotional! I must admit that today being my second day not teaching and I feel something is missing. Those screaming, shouting and cute little devils (said with love of course) will remain as a good reminder of my time in Lebanon.
Someone once told me that we should always teach a class. I see why now! I had already taught English in China before, but teaching Lebanese kids was a completely different story. The Chinese were timid and eager to learn. The Lebanese? No where near timid and just as eager! The result? 3 very energy consuming months but with good rewards. The school was impressed by their levels of improvement and the parents only gave me positive comments.
What I did not expect, however, was how I felt more Lebanese being in a school environment. I am Lebanese, of course, but having spent around 10% of my life in Lebanon, mostly on vacation, I don't know that side of my identity much. In a struggle to find what being Lebanese is and how to be Lebanese and how not to, I found a little of it in French speaking Lebanese trying to learn English! So there was someone like me growing up INSIDE Lebanon!
So, I've graduated from school as my friends so lovingly put it. I've graduated with a new found love for Lebanon through the eyes of the young. It is true that "out of the mouths of babes" come the most surprising accounts. In my case, I found a new part of myself.
So, last Thursday the 1st of March 2012, I graduated into a new found part of me. Here's to the other Students of Life, may you all graduate into new YOUs as well ;)
C
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