Another beautiful Beja day – wonderfully cool and pleasant morning and evening, blisteringly hot and sunny mid-day. The locals have assured us that “isto nao e comum." But probably we won’t have a chance to find out.
Joanne and I are quite warmly greeted by our students at Escola Bento de Jesus Carala as they
wait for class. They like us to take their picture which we are, of course, happy to do. In class we have been more integrated this week helping the students one on one form questions on a reading passage, then answer them. While I don’t have much experience with kids this age (15-19) they seem to be very sweet (not a term I think they would like.)
Unfortunately these kids had trouble in other schools and are here in a “last chance” situation.
They must pass each term in each subject for three years. They can repeat (which some have done several times) but there are limits. Apparently individual tutoring is not available.
Sadly they do not seem to understand how paying attention in school will matter to their future. Like kids they’ll worry about the future manana.
Joanne and I have also had sessions with Katarina, the 10 year-old granddaughter of Barbara, owner of Residencial Bejense. The highlight of yesterday was her arrival for “class” with not one, not two, but three friends: Margarita, Maryana, and Diana. Between bouts of giggles we had the girls tell us a bit about their families, worked with flash cards, and listened and
helped as they took turns reading. I was astonished when I asked if they would like to sing a song for us. They all jumped up, whispered excitedly for a few moments, lined up and animatedly sang a song in excellent English, something about red, yellow, green: stop, wait, go, and traveling in a car, a plane, a train, a jeep, a helicopter, and a motor scooter. Then they all patiently allowed Phyllis to direct us in a photo shoot. For me, it was truly delightful, as I don’t interact with kids a lot and didn’t know it could be so much fun.
The team continues to be very well taken care of. Meals are more than adequate, generally very tasty, with a mix of familiar favorites and traditional Portuguese. Fish and pork, including the infamous ‘pig on a stick,’ are wonderful. Hotel staff continues to keep our “home: clean and comfortable.
Several of us have tried valiantly to help the local economy with limited success. Fortunately we
were ale to procure a few actual “made in Portugal” souvenirs in Evora and Monseraz.
Beja feels like a really small town. We see our students everywhere and some of the same locals everyday at the Capitol. The men having coffee each morning next door are familiar and then there is the ubiguitaus carbs. We are becoming part of the fabric of the community just when it is almost time for us to leave.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Back to work after our various and exhausting weekend adventures. The IP Beja team of Janice and Keith began the day with the discovery that the library was closed on Monday morning. Unfortunately the posted notice did not define “morning.”
Phyllis came to the rescue with her snooze-alarm cell phone and called to discover that morning ends at 2:30 pm. With some pleading Phyllis got us in through the library’s back door so we could prepare the day’s lesson. A little VIP treatment is always appreciated.
A small group of us met at Capitol for lunch. By now we know that baguette sordeix chex
arrive immediately but toasted involve a long, tortuous wait. Pedro showed up as usual for his daily lunch time dose of English conversation. I admire this kid for his ambition. I just don’t know how to tell him he is not likely to find a regular Skype partner in this group.
Classes at IP Beja went well. We are grateful for our loyal core of regular students and realize that the start of the school year means some can’t attend regularly. Teachers fret about the
stress of beginning classes and the festive feeling of a new semester for the students is apparent.
We get approval from Maria, our school contact, for the end of class project that Janice has devised. We have high hopes of ending this inaugural program on a positive note. We hear vague rumblings of satisfaction among the students, which is encouraging.
Peggy and Tim, the Cuba crew, were invited to their school director’s home for fresh-killed wild rabbit dinner. Who could refuse? The description of the food and the suburban house with pools had us all in envy. This is another new site for Global Volunteers and from the sound of it, things look promising for a return engagement.
Sleep came easy on Monday night. Mercifully.
Phyllis came to the rescue with her snooze-alarm cell phone and called to discover that morning ends at 2:30 pm. With some pleading Phyllis got us in through the library’s back door so we could prepare the day’s lesson. A little VIP treatment is always appreciated.
A small group of us met at Capitol for lunch. By now we know that baguette sordeix chex
arrive immediately but toasted involve a long, tortuous wait. Pedro showed up as usual for his daily lunch time dose of English conversation. I admire this kid for his ambition. I just don’t know how to tell him he is not likely to find a regular Skype partner in this group.
Classes at IP Beja went well. We are grateful for our loyal core of regular students and realize that the start of the school year means some can’t attend regularly. Teachers fret about the
stress of beginning classes and the festive feeling of a new semester for the students is apparent.
We get approval from Maria, our school contact, for the end of class project that Janice has devised. We have high hopes of ending this inaugural program on a positive note. We hear vague rumblings of satisfaction among the students, which is encouraging.
Peggy and Tim, the Cuba crew, were invited to their school director’s home for fresh-killed wild rabbit dinner. Who could refuse? The description of the food and the suburban house with pools had us all in envy. This is another new site for Global Volunteers and from the sound of it, things look promising for a return engagement.
Sleep came easy on Monday night. Mercifully.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The weekend was filled with adventure for all the volunteers. The two Kathleens, “Jo-knee” and Peggy spent Saturday and Sunday in Lisbon. Kathleen A. met her niece who is studying in Spain and they toured the city together via an open bus. The others went on a
“forced road march” to the Alfama historical district and Belem. Afterward they took a bus tour to Sintra and the coast. Seven other volunteers hired a bus and got a guided tour of Evora.
Tim and Keith opted to spend the night there while Marcia, Joanne, Janice, Brenda, and Beatrice continued with their tour guide to the small, charming Portuguese village of Monseraz that overlooks Spain. Meanwhile, back in Beja Constance and Judy toured the local museums and totally enjoyed Beja’s ambience. The weekend’s cultural experiences will long
be remembered by the team members.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Our day started, as usual, in the breakfast room, as we dashed and drifted in and out, preparing for another work day. Marcia and I set out for Bento de Jesus Carala Escola at a leisurely pace strolling in and out of shops in route to our professional school work-site. Phyllis joined us at the school and in the classroom with our mentor and sweet teacher, Dulce Marques introducing Phyllis to a usually rapt cadre of students.
Our students were animated as the English speaking lessons on proper sentences ensued. Marcia and I assisted by coaching pairs of students who ranged in age from 16 to 18. As class ends the students pose with us for pictures. It’s a happy class and a happy day!
As we join our Global Volunteer colleagues at the Capitol Café for lunch, the village nature of Beja is ever more apparent. Some of our classroom students are at the café, as is “Professor” Carlos, too, to offer his Global Volunteers support. Pedro from the library has joined the tables, eager to practice his conversational English. Familiar faces are all around as we greet, meet and eat across cultures.
Late afternoon brings leisure time to meander and for Marcia and me, a 4pm. Conversational English with Katarina, the granddaughter of Barbara, our hotel owner. Katarina is an eager learner – such a contrast in motivation from some of our vocational students.
After a busy week, we are seemingly ready for a break from the routine, with some showing up an hour early for dinner. Dinner is worthy of an early start. Who would think Black Pig on a stick could be so delicious? And the restaurant soenchanting!We are happy campers as we stroll home, and go off to bed. Sweet dreams, my friends.
Our students were animated as the English speaking lessons on proper sentences ensued. Marcia and I assisted by coaching pairs of students who ranged in age from 16 to 18. As class ends the students pose with us for pictures. It’s a happy class and a happy day!
As we join our Global Volunteer colleagues at the Capitol Café for lunch, the village nature of Beja is ever more apparent. Some of our classroom students are at the café, as is “Professor” Carlos, too, to offer his Global Volunteers support. Pedro from the library has joined the tables, eager to practice his conversational English. Familiar faces are all around as we greet, meet and eat across cultures.
Late afternoon brings leisure time to meander and for Marcia and me, a 4pm. Conversational English with Katarina, the granddaughter of Barbara, our hotel owner. Katarina is an eager learner – such a contrast in motivation from some of our vocational students.
After a busy week, we are seemingly ready for a break from the routine, with some showing up an hour early for dinner. Dinner is worthy of an early start. Who would think Black Pig on a stick could be so delicious? And the restaurant soenchanting!We are happy campers as we stroll home, and go off to bed. Sweet dreams, my friends.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
We volunteers continue to travel in various directions, off to our assigned schools in Beja and beyond. Some need to arrive by 8:15 am, while others don’t start teaching until 3:00 pm. In spite of our diverse schedules, we are a very harmonious group of 13, and enjoy catching up with
each other at meal times.
Something new for Global Volunteers in Beja is the addition of conversational English classes at IP Beja, the polytechnic university. Keith and Janice teach two classes with up to 30 students in each. The Intermediate-Advanced and Pre-Intermediate classes are comprised of students, former students, community members and IP Beja staff members. The support for this new program has been excellent, with daily meetings with International Language Directors Maria and Joao. They enthusiastically welcome the new courses which were designed in coordination with Global Volunteers. Maria and Joao are eager to supply anything the teachers may need, including copies, a laptop and projector for instruction
While brand new, the program at IP Beja appears to be having an impact. Each day you can see the confidence level of the students rise as they are more and more comfortable with the English language. And other students not currently in the program are already asking how they can sign up for the next session in March 2012.
each other at meal times.
Something new for Global Volunteers in Beja is the addition of conversational English classes at IP Beja, the polytechnic university. Keith and Janice teach two classes with up to 30 students in each. The Intermediate-Advanced and Pre-Intermediate classes are comprised of students, former students, community members and IP Beja staff members. The support for this new program has been excellent, with daily meetings with International Language Directors Maria and Joao. They enthusiastically welcome the new courses which were designed in coordination with Global Volunteers. Maria and Joao are eager to supply anything the teachers may need, including copies, a laptop and projector for instruction
While brand new, the program at IP Beja appears to be having an impact. Each day you can see the confidence level of the students rise as they are more and more comfortable with the English language. And other students not currently in the program are already asking how they can sign up for the next session in March 2012.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Another day in beautiful Beja and team 10 will scatter to our varied assignments. Trains, buses, and sturdy feet propel the Global Volunteers on their mission to wage Peace and Social Justice. Peggy and I help promote on the train to Cuba where we confirmed that research shows Cuba, Portugal was the birthplace of Christopher Columbus!!
Our school has primary through 9th grade classes and today started with a small group of 3rd grade students who reviewed their counting skills by making a tally of the tables (14) and chairs
(27) in the classroom. They then learned to identify the pencil, its home the pencil case, the rubber and the pen. One boy observed that the pencil used to live at the Stationery Store. The fifth graders have a better understanding but appear a bit shy about speaking. Questions are
numerous showing great curiosity if not always in English.
We had another wonderful lunch with the Director and a few of the teachers. This is very convivial time with easy questions from us and them. We’ve been invited on a tour of Cuba Monday afternoon and a meal of wild rabbit at someone’s house. This should be a memorable event that strengthens the friendship growing between us.
Dinner was a great mix of pizzas and fun conversations. We close another day with a sense of well earned sleepiness and possibly dreams of great adventures to come.
Our school has primary through 9th grade classes and today started with a small group of 3rd grade students who reviewed their counting skills by making a tally of the tables (14) and chairs
(27) in the classroom. They then learned to identify the pencil, its home the pencil case, the rubber and the pen. One boy observed that the pencil used to live at the Stationery Store. The fifth graders have a better understanding but appear a bit shy about speaking. Questions are
numerous showing great curiosity if not always in English.
We had another wonderful lunch with the Director and a few of the teachers. This is very convivial time with easy questions from us and them. We’ve been invited on a tour of Cuba Monday afternoon and a meal of wild rabbit at someone’s house. This should be a memorable event that strengthens the friendship growing between us.
Dinner was a great mix of pizzas and fun conversations. We close another day with a sense of well earned sleepiness and possibly dreams of great adventures to come.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Our second day in the schools of Beja and outlying municipalities was filled with activities of engagement. The volunteers actively worked to engage the students and teachers in their respective educational settings with introductory conversational English speaking opportunities.
At the vocational-technical school, Joanne and Marcia enticed reluctant speakers and interested students, focusing on the topic of environment, to converse in English.
At the Escola Secundaria com 3 Ciclo D Manuel 1 de Beja, Constance and Judy mentored and facilitated students to reflect on factors they deem significant when submitting applications for employment. They engaged students in a written exercise to compare and contrast approaches and strategies used to enter the work force in the United States versus Portugal.
Transported by train, Tim and Peggy went to the municipal school in Cuba. Upon arrival they
received an introductory tour of the school. Both teams taught classes engaging the students in conversation about the United States, after a preliminary introduction about their personal
backgrounds. Both were enlightened with the ways of the school and socio-cultural differences between the urban versus rural settings. In addition, they were treated like royalty to a sumptuous gastronomical noon meal delight.
An adventure in orienteering prefaced Kathleen A.’s day as she circuitously made her way to the Escola de Santa Maria on a timely basis. She, also, promoted student conversational English. Kathleen A. met many motivated teachers excited about the united effort to meld an effective
educational curriculum for the EU Program.
At the Poly-Technical University, Janice and Keith provided their students with a “high tech” presentation of their students’ requested topics. They prefaced their session with introductory information about themselves and their background.
Off to Vidigueria, on the school bus, were Joanie and Beatrice. At their school, in an outlying municipality from Beja, they worked with students provided with alternative educational learning tracks. They found the students to be very respectful, and all were proud of
their beautiful community and local museum.
At the Escola de Santiago Maior in Beja, Brenda and Kathleen provided conversational English experience in a multi-level Portuguese class. They also team taught a delightful group of twenty-four students at the eighth grade level. These eighth grade students were not only engaged, but enthusiastic to converse. They were observed to be extremely supportive of their fellow classmates struggling to respond in English.
All in all, the day was full of varied experiences culminating with a half-hour of intense basic Portuguese language lesson provided by Joachim Mosca, wrap-up meeting session with Phyllis, journal reading/thought of the day and wonderful meal at our local Beja restaurant, Pastelaria Café bar A Merenda.
At the vocational-technical school, Joanne and Marcia enticed reluctant speakers and interested students, focusing on the topic of environment, to converse in English.
At the Escola Secundaria com 3 Ciclo D Manuel 1 de Beja, Constance and Judy mentored and facilitated students to reflect on factors they deem significant when submitting applications for employment. They engaged students in a written exercise to compare and contrast approaches and strategies used to enter the work force in the United States versus Portugal.
Transported by train, Tim and Peggy went to the municipal school in Cuba. Upon arrival they
received an introductory tour of the school. Both teams taught classes engaging the students in conversation about the United States, after a preliminary introduction about their personal
backgrounds. Both were enlightened with the ways of the school and socio-cultural differences between the urban versus rural settings. In addition, they were treated like royalty to a sumptuous gastronomical noon meal delight.
An adventure in orienteering prefaced Kathleen A.’s day as she circuitously made her way to the Escola de Santa Maria on a timely basis. She, also, promoted student conversational English. Kathleen A. met many motivated teachers excited about the united effort to meld an effective
educational curriculum for the EU Program.
At the Poly-Technical University, Janice and Keith provided their students with a “high tech” presentation of their students’ requested topics. They prefaced their session with introductory information about themselves and their background.
Off to Vidigueria, on the school bus, were Joanie and Beatrice. At their school, in an outlying municipality from Beja, they worked with students provided with alternative educational learning tracks. They found the students to be very respectful, and all were proud of
their beautiful community and local museum.
At the Escola de Santiago Maior in Beja, Brenda and Kathleen provided conversational English experience in a multi-level Portuguese class. They also team taught a delightful group of twenty-four students at the eighth grade level. These eighth grade students were not only engaged, but enthusiastic to converse. They were observed to be extremely supportive of their fellow classmates struggling to respond in English.
All in all, the day was full of varied experiences culminating with a half-hour of intense basic Portuguese language lesson provided by Joachim Mosca, wrap-up meeting session with Phyllis, journal reading/thought of the day and wonderful meal at our local Beja restaurant, Pastelaria Café bar A Merenda.
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