Evening all,
We are writing from a very rainy and thundery Hanoi, as we relax in our room following the end of our first week teaching. We think it has been positive for both of us and look forward to the rest of our teaching, however that is in the future and for now we will discuss the past week.
In our last blog post we mentioned the BME opening ceremony and weren't really sure what to expect. Whatever our expectations they were certainly exceeded by a weird mix of corporate AGM, Japanese gameshow, and High School prom dance. The ceremony opened with a bizarre rock style entrance from our two main presenters accompanied by loud music before there was a speech by the founder of BME translated broadly by one of the staff who kept giving him puzzled looks - we assumed he went off script. There then followed a team building/bonding exercise which involved, among other things, audience members dressing in baggy clown suits and then having as many balloons stuffed into their outfits as possible before doing a Vietnam's Next Top Model style catwalk, hilarity ensued. There was then an excellent buffet with live music and some interesting dancing from the Vietnamese Teaching Assistants (TAs) before the night ended.
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| Stuff the clown with balloons game! |
The next day saw us attend school opening ceremonies for the new year, whilst not as whacky as the BME opening ceremony, they certainly stirred the heart with their patriotic tone - marching bands, flag parades, and songs not heard in Europe since the 1980s, all combined to give a thoroughly uplifting start to the new school year. Robert went to an opening ceremony at a school where he teaches, whilst Becky attended a school she will not teach at. It definitely gave us something to talk about with the students and teachers and allowed for better bonds of teacherly camaraderie to be made.
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| Rob's opening ceremony |
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| Becky's opening ceremony |
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| These balloons were let loose then exploded and glitter came out at Becky's ceremony! |
Robert started work on Wednesday (6th Sept) teaching six classes of Grade 4 (9 years old) whilst Becky stayed at home because Wednesday is a free day for her. Robert really enjoyed the teaching and certainly feels more confident and positive about our time here. It sounds cheesy but seeing the impact even a short time can have on the children's learning of English is really great and Robert cannot wait to see the progress the students have made by the time we finish in January. On Thursday and Friday Becky and Robert were both teaching and have both continued to enjoy it. Robert is teaching mainly Grade 4 and 5 and has so far done the same lesson 18 times! Becky is teaching predominantly grade 1 and 2 (like the woman she is). Robert is fast gaining a reputation for having a beautiful, younger looking girlfriend - to explain - part of his lesson involves showing pictures of friends and family and Becky's age is always guessed as 20-22... much to her delight... apart from one terrible child who said she is 35!!! Becky's ovaries are exploding at how cute her 6/7 year old students are but maintains a strict level of discipline in the classroom. It has become a running joke that Becky is going to bring her kidnap sack to school. In good news she has been given cuddles, kisses and even cake by students... despite being super strict.
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| Rob's school canteen lunch |
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| Becky's class creations |
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| The Students do morning exercise in unison at Tay Mo (Rob's school) |
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| Becky goes to Hoang Liet |
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| Parental pick up at Hoang Liet |
This last week we've spent more time with our lovely housemates and had a Ring of Fire game on Independence Day (last Saturday), as the fireworks were not on. Robert ended up doing star jumps as part of this fantastic game! We finally broke and decided we were in need of an Indian and all enjoyed this thoroughly. Becky spent this afternoon with Danielle - promising a night of debauchery tonight - but has decided she is way too tired and her voice has almost gone from all the singing for classes this week!
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Photo credit - Rachel Lees
l-r Becky, Sabrina, Louise, Liv, Rachel and Rob at the front |
Anyway we are off to enjoy our weekend off. Tomorrow we will have a wonderful steak dinner with Liv, Rachel, Sabrina and the wonderful Daniel. Tonight we are relaxing and enjoying a well-earned Bia Ha Noi. Until next time!
In our last blog post we mentioned the BME opening ceremony and weren't really sure what to expect. Whatever our expectations they were certainly exceeded by a weird mix of corporate AGM, Japanese gameshow, and High School prom dance. The ceremony opened with a bizarre rock style entrance from our two main presenters accompanied by loud music before there was a speech by the founder of BME translated broadly by one of the staff who kept giving him puzzled looks - we assumed he went off script. There then followed a team building/bonding exercise which involved, among other things, audience members dressing in baggy clown suits and then having as many balloons stuffed into their outfits as possible before doing a Vietnam's Next Top Model style catwalk, hilarity ensued. There was then an excellent buffet with live music and some interesting dancing from the Vietnamese Teaching Assistants (TAs) before the night ended.
Robert started work on Wednesday (6th Sept) teaching six classes of Grade 4 (9 years old) whilst Becky stayed at home because Wednesday is a free day for her. Robert really enjoyed the teaching and certainly feels more confident and positive about our time here. It sounds cheesy but seeing the impact even a short time can have on the children's learning of English is really great and Robert cannot wait to see the progress the students have made by the time we finish in January. On Thursday and Friday Becky and Robert were both teaching and have both continued to enjoy it. Robert is teaching mainly Grade 4 and 5 and has so far done the same lesson 18 times! Becky is teaching predominantly grade 1 and 2 (like the woman she is). Robert is fast gaining a reputation for having a beautiful, younger looking girlfriend - to explain - part of his lesson involves showing pictures of friends and family and Becky's age is always guessed as 20-22... much to her delight... apart from one terrible child who said she is 35!!! Becky's ovaries are exploding at how cute her 6/7 year old students are but maintains a strict level of discipline in the classroom. It has become a running joke that Becky is going to bring her kidnap sack to school. In good news she has been given cuddles, kisses and even cake by students... despite being super strict.
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