Preparation

This summer, I have an awesome opportunity to teach English to a class of Polish children!  I get to make the lesson plans and carry out activities for a group of 7 to 13-year-olds in Wola Rzędzińska, Poland.  The adventure begins June 16 and I am super excited, partly because I don't exactly know what to expect.  I am running up on two major things that I haven't experienced before:

A)  I have never been to Poland.  I don't know a lot about Polish culture, but more importantly I don't speak a word of Polish.  I have found that communication is not a problem for english speakers in other parts of europe, especially among the younger crowds, who have had english lessons in school.  I am hoping that this will be the case in Poland, although being in a place with no other english speakers around has potential to be a really cool experience.

B)  I have never taught a class.  I love babysitting and coming up with fun things for the kids to do, but I have never had a large group of kids looking to me for the next activity, and a goal for them to have learned something by the time they leave the room. 

I guess there is a first time for everything.    

My good friend, Anna, introduced me to the program.  She participated last year, and is the Poland program coordinator this year.  It will be nice to have a friend along, although she will not be in the town that I will be in for the majority of the time we are teaching classes.

Also, I will be staying with two different families during my time in Wola Rzędzińska.  The first family has three children, a 14-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old girl.  The second has a 15-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl.   My opinion is that living with locals the best way to experience a culture, and I am looking forward to meeting them.

That is a background of events to come.  For now I will be packing and planning!