ALL of my students know the difference between “you’re” and “your,” and English is their SECOND language. So why is it that 90 percent of native English speakers are still making this mistake? Ahhhgiehgahhhhhhhh! If you’re in that 90 percent (or even if you’re not), watch this hilarious video and get your grammar in check.
For two years, Chile has been rocked by students demanding a more equal education system among social classes, free access to higher education and an end to profiteering. However, there has been little negotiation between the government and students — and no future progress is in sight. So, it remains that while Chile is home to some of the best schools in the region, the country is also host to very under-funded public institutions. I work with students in the latter.
Welcome to the first day of my fifth and sixth grade English class. There are 23 students aged 10 and 11 who don’t know what “how are you?” means. And there’s me — far outnumbered and far from proficient in their native Spanish tongue.
The fundamental goal in teaching is to help others learn. Sure, that’s obvious enough. But when I taught my first English as a Foreign Language Lesson last week, I am sure I learned just as much — if not more — than my students.
The feeling of it all is starting to sink in a bit more. My dad paid off the balance on my tuition, and the books I ordered for the class arrived this week.
While I know journalism can make change in its own right, each story leaves me with a desire to do more. Teaching English as a second language is a perfect fit: a way I can meaningfully contribute to the world.
