One of My Best Classes

I was lucky enough to have two awesome teachers for this course, both having a different teaching approach but being equally engaging and helpful. They told my class straight up that the course was going to be difficult; it was a six-week course stuffed into four weeks. But they also told us it was very doable, as long as we stayed on top of our assignments. And they were always available after class to help us.

Melanie and Luke taught our classes in the same manner as we would teach our own classes, making us learn firsthand how our own students might react to certain activities and lesson plans. While class is class, there were several times where laughter was a big part of our day. My teachers definitely had a sense of humor while challenging us to create our own lesson plans and pushing us to master what we learned (which meant starting the day answering grammar questions from Luke).

Of course this class couldn't do everything. The teaching practicum is great practice, but it does not nearly prepare you enough for the real world of teaching. Teaching gets only better with practice and I wish we had more time to keep practicing. But unfortunately it is only a four week course.

What I loved especially about this course is that my teachers weren't only mentors, but friends. Melanie and Luke didn't sugar coat things. Not only did they share their personal experiences as examples for situations we might encounter, but they also acknowledge the very real epidemic of culture shock. They explain what it is, when it happens and how to cure it (and according to Luke the real cure is getting a boyfriend or girlfriend native to that country in order to become a part of the culture, learn the language, make native friends and feel a sense of belonging...he ended up getting married to a Costa Rican).

I honestly loved this class and only wish I had the opportunity to learn more. And it's in Costa Rica! Such a beautiful country with friendly people (and awesome host parents!).