English for Non-English Teachers

I can't believe it -- this is the first time in a long-time that I actually carried out a New Year's resolution! Some of you may recall that at the beginning of this year I resolved to make a stronger effort to integrate into my school's faculty. To do this, I set up a 10-week "English 101" course for any teacher interested in learning the basics of English. This past Wednesday I had my 10th lesson, finishing the course. I must say, it is probably the most successful thing I have done here.

Over the course of 10 weeks I met regularly with 9 solid students who were all enthusiastic about learning English. Meeting just an hour a week, we covered everything from the alphabet to numbers to greetings to the days of the week to expressing emotions and likes/dislikes. I think it was a great experience for everyone, myself included. We had a lot of fun and I really saw their English skills improve.

To make our last lesson special, I asked a counterpart to help me print up some official-looking certificates (people are crazy about certificates here) at a local photo shop and I had our school's director mark them with her very official stamp (they are also crazy about stamps here -- everything must have a stamp). Then, after giving the class a "final exam," which they were all very nervous about, I presented them with their certificates in a sort of graduation ceremony after which we all sat around drinking juice and eating American candy (thanks, Mom, for the Necco wafers -- they loved 'em!). Here's some pictures.


To solemnize the occasion, Bahitgul suggested that I wear this traditional Kazakh hat and robe. Ashlee says I look like a magician.







Before giving them their certificates, I asked them for some feedback on the course to see what I can do better next time around. They all unanimously said "Scott Teacher good!" and "We want learn much much more!"