Things are going well for me right now. While I failed my first test (The 7th Listening test, I got a C-, which is failing here), I *DID* get an A- on the corresponding reading test. *shrug* c'est la vie, inshah allah, what have you. I am getting a better grasp of concepts in school and I think I am ready to seriously start making some improvements in class.
I'm not just a student though, I am also the class leader, which makes me the go-between between the nine other students and the teachers. This is normally just minor administrative stuff, I handle the absence paperwork, let teachers know when the students are having technical difficulties (we were issued iPods and most people's images were not complete and were mising whole books' worth of exercise) or other problems. Normally, not a big deal. Right now, though, it's becoming one.
We are approximately halfway through the course. We started class on the 12th of January and we graduate the 20th of December. Next week, we get our ONE week off all year. We've been going through the toughest schooling of our lives (I dare anyone to say their language school is harder--what we learn in 47 weeks takes most colleges a whole four years to teach) and on top of that we have our military commitments as well. A lot of the kids are young--only 4 of us out of 10 are old enough to drink. Most of these people have never been subjected to this kind of stress. Myself, my friend Tara, and this other annoying broad have been to either Iraq, Afghanistan, or both, but this is a whole different ballgame.
So, here we are, week 24. Five people are on Academic probation, having failed two or more consecutive tests. Two of us (myself and an airman) are on Special Assistance. So, we have to go to study halls two nights a week, have to come in for the second hour of our two hour lunch break, and the probation folks have to come for an hour AFTER school. This is a good idea in theory, but the problem is that in these extra 9-14 hours a week, they aren't tailoring the time towards the student's needs. Students who need to focus on listening are getting reading exercises, students who need to work on speaking are listening, blah. So they are getting frustrated. And I'm here trying to make it work, playing Chinese Juggler trying to keep the kids sane, as well as productive. It's a nightmare sometimes.
BUT, enough about my problems. LOL.
Looking forward to the Pennsylvania trip! A week back home is just what the doctor ordered.
I'm not just a student though, I am also the class leader, which makes me the go-between between the nine other students and the teachers. This is normally just minor administrative stuff, I handle the absence paperwork, let teachers know when the students are having technical difficulties (we were issued iPods and most people's images were not complete and were mising whole books' worth of exercise) or other problems. Normally, not a big deal. Right now, though, it's becoming one.
We are approximately halfway through the course. We started class on the 12th of January and we graduate the 20th of December. Next week, we get our ONE week off all year. We've been going through the toughest schooling of our lives (I dare anyone to say their language school is harder--what we learn in 47 weeks takes most colleges a whole four years to teach) and on top of that we have our military commitments as well. A lot of the kids are young--only 4 of us out of 10 are old enough to drink. Most of these people have never been subjected to this kind of stress. Myself, my friend Tara, and this other annoying broad have been to either Iraq, Afghanistan, or both, but this is a whole different ballgame.
So, here we are, week 24. Five people are on Academic probation, having failed two or more consecutive tests. Two of us (myself and an airman) are on Special Assistance. So, we have to go to study halls two nights a week, have to come in for the second hour of our two hour lunch break, and the probation folks have to come for an hour AFTER school. This is a good idea in theory, but the problem is that in these extra 9-14 hours a week, they aren't tailoring the time towards the student's needs. Students who need to focus on listening are getting reading exercises, students who need to work on speaking are listening, blah. So they are getting frustrated. And I'm here trying to make it work, playing Chinese Juggler trying to keep the kids sane, as well as productive. It's a nightmare sometimes.
BUT, enough about my problems. LOL.
Looking forward to the Pennsylvania trip! A week back home is just what the doctor ordered.