This is the last week of teaching in Italy. I have truly enjoyed my classes, the students, and friendships I have made. I originally took this opportunity because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after graduation and when will I ever have the opportunity to pack up my things and leave the USA for 4 months? I think I have gotten so much more out of this trip than I could have imagined.
I don’t blog about school as much as I do my trips but it is what I mainly do here, for 20 plus hours a week. “Conversatrice” is my official title, I think. Basically, it means I provide mother-tongue conversation. At first, the teachers were somewhat nervous about “handing over” their classes to me but little by little they saw I could do it. So by now, I run the class, the lessons, sometimes the content, and sometimes reprimanding. And I feel so good doing it. I love their questions, even when they are impossible to answer. I love steering the class back to attention when they wander. I love hearing them speak and seeing them learn and get better.
And I think they like me too! One teacher said she is afraid they will stop listening to her when I leave 🙂 Although I know I will go on to bigger and better things back in the good old U.S. of A (and at this point I’m a little homesick too), Liceo Bellini will hold a special place in my heart.
And this week I have received presents and food. Both very welcomed. A great goodbye!
JMO
