After teaching in a bilingual school here in Copan Ruinas for almost two months now, my determination only grows. I want more than anything for my students to comprehend and excel in what I teach them. However, it's not as easy teaching students curriculum in a language that is not their first. I always wonder if they are really grasping what I am teaching. This past week I was able to see if they were or weren't.
At the end of each of bimester the students have to take final exams over everything they learned in that time period. As I prepared my study guide and tests for my students I based it off of how my final exams were in the U.S. when I was in school. Therefore, I made my tests long and pretty difficult, which is how I think final exams should be. When other teachers looked at my tests they said it was really long and looked hard, my friend even said I was crazy because it seemed way too hard.
Even through the doubts of others I had faith in my students. Before the tests my students and I prayed together to have God help them remember everything they learned and to push toward excellence. Now, that the exams are over I can proudly say my students passed every exam they had! They had six tests of mine to take in different subjects. Sometimes I was so happy grading them my eyes teared up. Being a teacher it means the world when you know you're making a difference in a child's life. I am extremely proud of them, I can't express it enough! Now, it's a new bimester with new material.
I believe creativity is definitely essential when you are teaching students new things in a second language to them. However, being creative sometimes cost money. The other day I received a phone call from my youth leader in the U.S. with some great news. She continued to tell me that the youth group wanted to support me here! I can't explain how grateful I am and how it was the right time to receive this news! Thank you to anyone who has helped me or has gave me encouragement, it really means a lot and keeps me going!
Alexis Paul
At the end of each of bimester the students have to take final exams over everything they learned in that time period. As I prepared my study guide and tests for my students I based it off of how my final exams were in the U.S. when I was in school. Therefore, I made my tests long and pretty difficult, which is how I think final exams should be. When other teachers looked at my tests they said it was really long and looked hard, my friend even said I was crazy because it seemed way too hard.
Even through the doubts of others I had faith in my students. Before the tests my students and I prayed together to have God help them remember everything they learned and to push toward excellence. Now, that the exams are over I can proudly say my students passed every exam they had! They had six tests of mine to take in different subjects. Sometimes I was so happy grading them my eyes teared up. Being a teacher it means the world when you know you're making a difference in a child's life. I am extremely proud of them, I can't express it enough! Now, it's a new bimester with new material.
I believe creativity is definitely essential when you are teaching students new things in a second language to them. However, being creative sometimes cost money. The other day I received a phone call from my youth leader in the U.S. with some great news. She continued to tell me that the youth group wanted to support me here! I can't explain how grateful I am and how it was the right time to receive this news! Thank you to anyone who has helped me or has gave me encouragement, it really means a lot and keeps me going!
Alexis Paul
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