Who is teaching English with me?The first day of school, excitement is surging all over the place. I remember some students during my two week site visit in June. My Albanian counter-part, Ortenca, decided to work closer to home (Lushnje, where I go to use the internet). At 8:30 my new counter-part arrives, Alda. She is fresh out of the university with no teaching experience, but she lives in Divjake. So both of us are starting from the beginning. My plan was to lay low for the first month or two to observe and be supportive of her as she establishes her teaching style. I also wanted to see exactly where I fit into the whole equation. I am not here just to teach some classes and leave, but to help share the American and more specifically, my teaching style with an Albanian teacher to incorporate. I've been learning how exactly one teaches with a small classroom, cramped desks, too many students, and disruptive boys who don't want to learn.

Not only did I have a new counter-part, but a new headmaster/director. He happens to be the President of the Socialist party for the area. So, the old director was demoted to Vice-Director, and the old Vice-Director is now a teacher. This is all due to the shift in the political party in power. So much for job security, eh?! Personally, I like the Director. He is younger and has more energy. He is interested in making changes for the better and has been very supportive of my role. His wife also teaches English at the little school (my younger host-sister is in her class).

The First Week of SchoolAccording to PC, I am only allowed to teach 16 hours a week, but there are 26 hours possible. Basically, I can decide which classes I don't want to deal with. This fact became important the first day of school, with four sections of 9th graders. There are about 40-50 students who sit on benches of 3-4 students per desk. The classroom is about the size of the average living room, perhaps slightly bigger. Needless to say, I was starting to feel some major chlosterphobia.

Usually the girls sit in the front, because they are the ones who tend to care more about school. It is a total "wolf pack" of best friends all sitting together, which means there is non-stop chatting. Small class, large number of students and talking all add up to a whole lot of noise. The first classes were spent just trying to keep people quiet. It also became apparent that the boys from the smaller villages obviously didn't know the proper etiquette for being in high school. There are major issues of respect that needed to be addressed. Instead of teaching, I or my counter-part has to act as behavior police.

In theory, students begin English in the 5th grade. By the time they get to high school, they should know the basics and the curriculum picks up from there. Low and behold we find out that one of the little schools from a smaller village only taught French! So there is a group of boys who know nothing, but the book starts out in the middle. Generally, the more boys in class, the more behavior and discipline problems there are. The future options for the boys consists of staying in the village to work on the farm or emigrate to another country for work. They seem to have no interest in learning English. The girls, however, are the most interested because the more languages they know, the more job opportunities they have for the future. Education equates to future independence.

The second day of classes with the freshman went like this: Alda checks to see who did their homework. For the boys who didn't, she had them go to the front of the class. "What is your name?" (he doesn't answer). "How old are you?" (he doesn't answer). "Why did you not do your homework?" (no answer). She asks this first in English, then in Albanian. "Get out!" and she kicks him out of class. At that point, my confidence grew of her discipline standards.

In the first week of classes for the seniors, we discussed what being "independent" means. I found this quite intriguing given the fact that independence by American standards is rare here. I was asked to try to describe what it is, which is not as easy when I haven't really sat down and thought about it. I also wanted to be careful not to say anything that could be offensive. The girls in class had insight to contribute. Basically, one said that she is too scared to live away from her parents and be on her own. Bingo! She nailed it on the head. Education is the only legitimate avenue to eventually make and spend your own money, to live on your own, and to answer to nobody but yourself. Cooking, cleaning, doing your own laundry...this "independence" thing was quite unattractive to the young men. Why would they ever want to live on their own when their mamas will gladly do anything to take care of them and keep them close to home. "Mama's boy" has been observed to a new extreme. I wonder if that is how women subtlety gain power, by keeping the men completely dependent on them for basic survival. That is a whole other tangent...

I was interested to know why students didn't bring their books, a writing utensil, or paper. They brought nothing for class. Perhaps school is merely a social engagement and the learning just gets in the way. Teachers wouldn't flunk kids, they just move them along to the next year. So essentially, if boys have no plans for their lives, school is a huge waste of their time (aside from the social aspect).

Then there was a class, 11th graders, where I worked with them on pronunciation. First, I pronounced the word, then as a class, they pronounced the word. After enough practice a desk full of students (4-5) would stand up and practice together, usually the disruptive boys in the back. From my observations, usually Albanian teachers will ignore the disruptive boys in the back and focus on the students who actually did their homework (the four girls in the front). The result is that basically the focus is only on a few students and everyone else entertains themselves. Albanian teachers call on students who raise their hands (the four girls in the front who did their homework).

I waited for Alda to get into a groove with her teaching. She'd usually ask me to read a text out loud or ask students to answer exercise questions. I watch the disruptive boys, taking mental notes of the ring-leader of the circus erupting in the back. When it is my turn to lead the class, I go after the boys who aren't paying attention. I have expectancy violation working for me because the boys assume the teacher will leave them alone. My style is a little different. I slowly walk down the aisle, making sure to look at all the students. I have a piece of chalk ready to hand to a student to write the answer on the board. And then it happens...the disruptive boy who is pretending to study becomes the chosen one. His friends laugh and I smile. He says, "I don't know English." --" No problem," I say, "because we learn English in English class." (Alda translates). I give reassurance that we'll help him. The four smart kids in class give the answers to the clueless students anyway. As I'm helping my chosen student at the board, Alda follows my lead and picks a disruptive student of her own. While we are at the board, other students are calling out the answer and I make sure the answer is correct before it is announced to the class, to avoid embarrassment. At the end of one of the 11th graders class (there are 3 sections of 40-50 students) we got a standing ovation when we left. Of course, we took our bows. "Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here ALL year!", I proudly announce.

"I don't know English" or saying nothing, is the way students avoid the teacher's attention. That doesn't work for me because I get bored talking to the same four smart kids. The Albanian motto is: teach the kids that want to learn and try to keep the ones who don't care to not be disruptive (as I've been told by one teacher).

Week two, I had a conversation with Alda about her ideas on discipline. My concern was starting to grow with the lack of respect being displayed in the 9th graders behavior. I told her what I did when I taught, which seemed to work for me. She said we'd try it my way next class. On Monday morning, I announced to the 9th graders that every class I will pick one person who will be "my favorite student for the day." This is my "special helper" strategy that worked in kindergarten when I was a sub-teacher and it worked in college. If the disruptive boys wanted attention, I was going to give it to them! Similar to how a stand-up comedian handles hecklers, there needed to be a reminder of who has the microphone. My selection process was dramatic and suspenseful...of course! For me, teaching is part theater, because I always have a trapped audience. I took every opportunity to ham it up. Then Alda picked a favorite of her own. This particular day I was leading the students with class commands. The lesson was to get them all involved AND to have them learn basic things that I tell them (i.e. stand up, sit down, be quiet, stop talking). My other strategy was instead of keeping the boys quiet, I was going to make them be loud. With my presentation came accompanying hand gestures (for the kinesics learners). I had our favorite students demonstrate in front of the class when I would call out commands. For example, when I say "stand up" they are to repeat it as they stand up. When I say, "sit down" they are to repeat it as they sit down.

Some boys in the back thought they were going to be clever and wait for me to tell them to sit down so they don't have to ever move. Kids think they are so sneaky. I quickly caught on to their little game. I stopped the class in mid-moment...yes, a dramatic pause.

I grabbed my favorite student by the hand. Together we charged down the aisle with a fury, well my charging was a fury, his was clueless. I stopped at the boys who were sitting when they should be standing. I pointed to them and yelled, "YOU!" The daydreaming eyes dilated with fear and curiosity what exactly I was about to do. I nudge my favorite student and he told them with a loud voice "STUND UP!" The other boys sitting down quickly got up. Then I grabbed my favorite student's hand and we went charging back up to the front of the class.

The rest of the class couldn't control their laughter. The other benefit to my system is that I've just learned the names of two disruptive boys so I can call them out personally in the future. In one class, the special helper really got into. It was hilarious! I publicly adored and praised them as they participated in educating the class. Everything our favorite students did was perfect, "you are so good at English!" "Look, he is so smart!" If it lacked perfection, they got to practice in front of the whole class until they got it down...always a supportive audience. I handed them a taste of success from something that seems difficult, to see if they wanted it.

The good thing for the special helpers is that they can't get in trouble that day...partly because when they get picked, they sit right next to me so I can easily look at them with the adoring eyes of a mother! When we continued on with the lesson, some boys continued to talk. I gave the signal and class stopped. My special helper went charging down the aisle to tell the boys in the back to, "be quiet!" and held his finger to his lips and said, "shhh!" At the end of class, our favorite students got a rousing round of applause as I sealed my popularity for the year. Now, whenever I walk down the hall, I hear the boys (who sit in the back of class) tell me, "stand up! sit down!" Hey, at least they remembered something!

One of the low level classes also has some behavior problems. The first desk is right at the front board practically. If I am on one side of the class and need to get to the other side, Alda has to back up so I can get through (kinda like getting to your seat at the movies). I looked at the grade books for the class, 80% got the equivalent of a D or F the previous year. If students don't understand, they wouldn't pay attention, wouldn't participate, and entertain themselves another way.

At first, I thought I could teach the students who are good in a small group (4-5 of them). However, these are the students who take private English courses. I'm starting to reconsider my options. Right now, I think the people who will benefit from my help the most are the students who WANT to learn, but are frustrated by the pace of the class or have a different learning style then the communist-style. Also, the ones who can't afford private classes. Although my Albanian is not sufficient enough to manage the entire class who ask question fast...I can communicate the basics. A small group of 10-12 students is easier to manage than 50 students. I also have my dramatic flare working for me and the novelty of being American. If students are going to flunk, they might as well learn some practical conversation skills. I think I might start from the very beginning. I'll experiment and get back to you. The weather has been nice for students to go outside for PE (no gymnasium), so there is an empty class I can use.

My Secondary Project: English AgainWe are to work 16 hours a week at our primary project (teaching at the high school), but we are suppose to be involved in a secondary project. I asked if I can team-teach with the 6th-8th grade English teacher. Alma, my older host-sister, takes private lessons from him, so we already had a rapport. The hidden agenda is to help the 8th graders now so they are good when I teach them next year.

The teaching environment is so different. There are 20-25 students per class. Students have their own desks and chairs. They are so quiet! After a few classes, I realized that teachers really put students in a scary position. The 8th grade teacher told one of the good students to conjugate the verb "do", interrogative, and in the past present participle. I couldn't think of an example to help her out when she was trying to figure out how to form a sentence. They teach students the proper names of grammar. I have no idea what anything is, but if I see it as an example, I'll know it. Students get oral exams based on their homework or the previous class readings. Then, they get a grade for the day. Paper tests mean the teacher has to grade them all, which doesn't work with such large classes. Plus, students are sardined into the class that they all copy of each other. Oh, I did the math for how much a teacher makes an hour for 26 hours a week, about $1.50/hr. That is basically a Pepsi and a small cup of Turkish coffee at a cafe.

Fashion Show OutfitsOne of my sorority sisters, Amanda, told me a secret about the first week of school and "new clothes." The strategy is to dress in your old clothes the first week because everyone is all worried about themselves the initial week. During the second week is when you bust out the new outfits. I must say, this strategy works. When I walk into the halls filled with students (mainly boys) it is like the parting of the Red Sea as they make a path for me....and they all stare. My host-sister tells me that the girls pay attention to my outfits and talk about which one they like better: the purple flowered skirt or the red one? (they always compare here). When I go to the teacher's room, the young lady teachers turn their focus to what I'm wearing. They decided that they prefer skirts rather than slacks on me.

Coffee with the GirlsThere are a total of 3 teachers that can speak fluent English. The others learned English in high school and college, but they can't speak it because they didn't practice. However, they can usually understand some words if I don't know them in Albanian. Listening to them chat about regular stuff is good for improving my language acquisition. I'm starting to pick up phrases instead of trying to translate word for word. It is a mental shift to focus on English all day, then switch to Albanian in everyday life in the village.

Third Project: Language SchoolPC told me there is a non-profit UK organization that opens language schools for basic costs in Albania. After a small group of volunteers met with the Director of the language school, I was super excited. Basically, the language school has nice desks, chairs, computers, books, listening tapes, etc for starting a school. All I would have to do is get dedicated language teachers and try to find a place (preferably on of the schools) to rent a couple classes from and have an office in. This was over the weekend.

I talked to Janette about it on Sunday night when I got back to my site. She was on board with helping out. Her situation was going down hill because she has nothing to do at the municipality. PC directors came to talk to the mayor, who promised he'd find a project for her. On a cultural note: many promises are made in Albania to your face and follow-through is lacking.

On Monday, I talk to Alda, my counter-part about the language school. She is super excited because not only will she have better resources, but she'd also get teacher training of new techniques. In addition, I pointed out it will look good on her resume to teach at a private school and the organizations are opening up schools in neighboring countries that she might be able to transfer if she wants. The other English teachers I can get to come to a meeting with the Language School director, but they have already established private courses at their house.

I told Alma, the older host-sister, about the Language school. She was super excited to have the opportunity for computers. (There are two computers at the school for a technology class of 50 students). The Language school could also get internet, which is great for me too! Honestly, parents would rather send their kids to a proper school where they can get a certificate from a legitimate organization upon completion.

On Tuesday, Janette had a meeting with the mayor. He is supportive of the Language school and thinks it is good for the community. He offered to house the LS on the top floor of the little school that is completely empty and has an office. Since the mayor is behind this project, Janette can focus her attention on it. This means the mayor keeps his volunteer and Janette has something to contribute during her time in the PC. It is a win-win for them. Our idea is to have Janette be the office manager to start out with until we can find an "honest" Albanian (preferably one that speaks English) to work there...which is a bigger task then what it seems. Corruption is just a part of life here.

I was planning on teaching an advanced class called "conversation and culture" for students who finished all the book work on grammar. They need help speaking fluently and with a native speaker. We need a total of 100 students for the school. There are 13 sections at the high school alone, so we need about 8-9 students per class. It is also not including computer classes, the younger kids, and adults.

The LS Director also said that if I teach classes and would be earning a normal salary (which we are not allowed to do) we can redirect the monies some place else....which leads to my fourth project.

Fourth Project: English LibraryFirst, not many people know there is even a library. I went for a visit to find out there are NO English books. I found this quite frustrating since all the high school students learn English, but have no practice reading anything beyond a text book. Plus, the summers are super long and very sloooow here. I would go crazy if I didn't have my books to read. So, I'm thinking my LS salary can go to buying English books.

My other request is if any of you would like to donate English books or are connected to an organization that would like to, please let me know. If you find cheap books at an auction or garage sale, snag them for me. OR if your local library is doing some spring cleaning and giving books/magazines away...snag them for me! The girls are my target audience. My host sister has enjoyed books like: Babysitters club, Ramona, Mystery novels (Hardy boys). The vocabulary is within their range and it shows them what good writing looks like. I was also thinking of having a book club for my advance students so we can all read the same book and discuss it in English.

My tentative plan is to come home the end of April and early May. I'm bringing an empty suitcase to fill up!

In My Room...One of my goals when I got here was to find my "happy place." I knew this was going to be important for my sanity and my soul. I needed a special place to digest everything that I had to process on a daily basis, but also a place to find peace of mind. Part of the money that is given to the host family is to ensure our own room, to which we don't have to share. The lock on the door keeps everyone else out, especially since people knock and come in without being invited first. In my room is where my belongings are safe, where I have quiet time to read, and where nobody is watching. In a primal sense, it is the only territory and privacy I have in an environment where people are constantly watching me. My room is also a place that I'm extremely protective of.

Kledisa Stealing Part IIWhen I arrived at my site-family's house, they told me Kledisa knew to stay out of my room. They repeated the rule again in front of me to her. During the first week for my site visit in June, Kledisa rummaged through all my things and took what she liked. I didn't report this incident to PC because I liked the family and they assured me it wouldn't happen again. After that, I started locking my door when I would leave the house.

Recently, I was talking to my host-mother and Alma in the outside kitchen when Kledisa was left alone in the house. I went to my room afterwards and noticed my room keys were missing.

Whenever I lock my door when I leave, I have to take the house keys out of the lock. I set them on a small table by the door (you need a key to lock both sides). When I came home to put my bag in my room, I specifically remember seeing them. When I went to my room and reached for them, they were gone. I looked around. Kledisa saw me and asked if I was missing something. I asked if she took my keys. She said, "no!" After looking around for a few minutes, I told Alma in English that my keys were missing. I was explaining my routine with the keys and their is no reason they should be gone. Kledisa didn't know what we were saying, but thought I was accusing her. She broke into the most dramatic episode saying I always think she takes my stuff. She flailed her arms and faked cried all the way into another room. She even suggested that I look in the outside kitchen (but I know I would never take my keys in there). Even my host-mom was looking around the house everywhere.

Two hours, I get a knock on my door. My host-mom is holding my keys. Kledisa stole them from my room. As a recap: Kledisa has now gone into my room twice. She has taken my things, twice. She has lied about it twice.

One of my PC Albanian managers was coming for a visit. I told her of the situation and how it wasn't the first time. The more I thought about it the more it pissed me off. I've gotten Kledisa books to read, let her use my things when she asked, and helped her with English. After over 3 months of being her "American sister" she steals from me and lies about it for the second time.

The family first said, "oh, but she is little." I say that is crap! Kledisa is 10 years old. She gets the best grades at school and she is the president of her class. She knows how to follow rules and respect adults. She also knows how to lie and pretend to be innocent quite well. She is a clever girl and no dummy.

This situation put me in an awkward position because I love this family, but getting stolen from and having my very limited privacy violated is a huge issue. I am treated really well and I have no problems....except this one thing which is a deal-breaker for me. I didn't come half-way across the world to work for free to get stolen from in the house I live in, while I pay them for privacy. Respect is a fundamental value for me, regardless what cultural environment I am in. It is not so easy to change families because it is a small community. It is common knowledge who I live with. Plus, there is an extended family to consider. I can easily get bad-mouthed if a transition isn't handled with delicacy. Image control is vital to my success here.

I wanted my Albanian supervisor at PC to remind the family how much privacy is important to Americans and that is part of the agreement to the contract we both signed. Basically, I wanted her to tell them that if this is a problem, I wouldn't be able to stay with them. I also wanted her to reiterate that I'm really happy, but getting stolen from is totally not acceptable. I gave the phone to my host-sister who can perhaps be the liaison. The famous last words of my PC Albanian supervisor was, "don't worry, I will explain it the Albanian way." Alma was answering questions, then the mom busted into the room to talk on the phone, then Kledisa grabbed the phone and was yelling. There was just a whole lot of yelling! I remember sitting on the bed thinking..."yeah, uhm, yelling wasn't exactly what we talked about." I just stared off into space not showing any visual reaction to any of this. When the conversation was over and my room was emptied, I locked the door, turned off the lights, and went to bed at 7:00pm

The rest of the night was loud discussions within the family to which I could only translate a few words from afar.

The whole thing was extremely awkward, especially the next day. I've heard horror stories of host-families turning the tables and THEM playing the victim role when the volunteer is the one that got stolen from.

That night, I was calculating how fast I could pack all my stuff if I needed. Then I thought, "where would I go?" I didn't have much of an answer, which led me to a very lonely realization. The culture is very clan-based, so fears that I would get austercized where legitimate concerns.

The next day (after avoiding coming home until late), I gave my host-mother the monthly stipend for my care. I was handing over money for the next month for privacy that had just been violated. She was nice as always and concerned if I had eaten or not. Then we sat down when she asked why I told PC about what Kledisa did. I tried to understand the gist of what she was saying because it went fast. It was a whole face-saving of someone on the outside judging the family.

I listened to her, then explained that it is very important that Kledisa respect me, my things, and my privacy. I don't have my family and good friends here. All I have that is mine is my room. Alma came out to translate a little. I shared with them that I'm really happy here and I like the family. They regard me as one of their daughters, which is so incredibly touching. However, if Kledisa is a problem, then PC will find another family.

Alma told Kledisa earlier that I may have to leave because of her. Apparently, Kledisa was really upset and decided to stay the night at a family member's house to not be home when I was here.

So we all jokingly decided that if Kledisa is a problem, then SHE has to move out to another family and I'll stay where I am!

I later explained to Alma about the American culture in regards to when people lie and steal from you. It was a beautiful opportunity for a cultural lesson. Kledisa was still on bad terms with me. I explained that since she did something bad to me, she needs to apologize, and then we can be friends again (although I'm still locking my door and I don't trust her). I also asked Alma to inform Kledisa that if she is a problem for me, I can't be her sister anymore. I figured it was better to put that responsibility in her hands, since the problem revolves around her. The next day, Kledisa knocks on my door and says, "excuse me" with a smile that lets her get away with too much ("I’m sorry" and "excuse me" are the same in Albanian). We shook hands and it was over. Kledisa learned a lesson in being accountable for the consequences of her actions and I learned a lesson in forgiveness and respectful diplomacy.

I get to move out December 1st! The apartment search is already on the way.

Quotable Quotes "I played cards with Charmin."
The first class for the 10th graders, Alda asked them to tell her what they did for the summer. My host-sister Alma is a good student. So, she told the teacher that she went to the beach and played cards. "Who did you do this with?" Alda asked. "With Charmin," she replied matter-of-factly and points to me.

Sacramento Unified School District
Printed on a book that I checked out of a library 2 hours away from my site. Small world since I'm from Sacramento, what are the odds? I know some of you are connecting to schools, so if the librarian is cleaning out old books, SNAG THEM!

Laptop RequestIf you or somebody you know has a working laptop (that can play DVDs) that they would like to donate or sell for a very low price. Please let me know. My current computer is tiny with no battery-life. This is problematic given the lack of electricity and desire to show DVDs to students for culture exchange.

Packages Thanks: Mom and Logan. Got your packages! Girl Scout cookies were a great touch! :-)

Wish List:

1. Magazines (old or new)--anything that will be eye candy for me and can be donated to the library here.[O Magazine, Cosmo, People, Marie Claire]
2. American food-- sweets, snacks, and instant food works great. My host sister cooks the packaged meals that have been sent and gets to practice her English by reading the directions. She is learning the differences between "mix" and "stir."
3. Maps of countries in the world (free for AAA members), also specifically American States and UK. Want to do something creative with them for the language school.
4. Pictures and postcards of places outside of CA
5. Cling sheets (flip chart-size dry erase sheet) and dry-erase markers. (new item at the office supply stores)
6. Art supplies for a very long winter
7. MP3 CDs of various music (when their is no electricity)
8. Books (when there is electricity)
9. Anything you might think would be helpful!

Bad News from Home On a sad note, I recently found out that a high school classmate, Mattie Wilson, died in a car accident recently in Sacramento. We were on the Drill Team together my senior year. My thoughts are of her and her grieving loved ones.

Final ThoughtI am reminded of a larger lesson...Life is short, difficult, and precious. Thank you to all who enrich my life with your love and friendship. I am so incredibly thankful I have so many people to share my adventures with, and my appreciation deepens every day. It is humbling every time I review how many people are on my list when I push "send" on my e-mail.

I hope you take a moment to express your own gratitude to the people who bless your life and also the ones who make it difficult, so you may practice important life lessons. The American culture is always too busy for friends, too busy for family, too busy for the simple things....yet when it comes down to it, they are the most important in life!

Inspirational Message"Devote yourself to loving others. Devote yourself to your community. Devote yourself to creating...that is what gives you purpose and meaning" --Morrie, in Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie.