Friday, October 22, 2010

Our Final Day in the Schools

Friday, October 22

After breakfast we headed to our final day of classes in the schools. Our teaching schedules were busy as usual, and with a number of changes in the classes we were asked to teach.

The reception for the teachers at Hotel Fama was from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. so we could celebrate the success of the last two weeks. The number of teachers able to attend this even was less than usual because of school events and family responsibilities. But it was a real pleasure to send some personal private conversation time with the teachers who we have team taught with for the last two weeks.

The staff at Hotel Fama prepared and served an ample variety and amount of food for us. After our friends departed we returned to our rooms to finish packing and prepare for an 8:15 a.m. departure to Ferihegy Airport.

Milt

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Celebrating Hungary: October 23rd

Our Hungarian friends will celebrate Republic Day (Anniversary of 1956) this Saturday, October 23rd. This day is typically celebrated with speeches and exhibitions.





Here's to our Hungarian partners, their wonderful nation, and their beautiful culture!!

... And, she returned with a giant heart painted on her forehead!

Wednesday, October 20

We woke up to a cool day with a steady rain. The group all discusses their creative thoughts and ideas and plans for teaching — all agreed they were being challenged. Everyone prepares for the day by wearing their most comfortable shoes and rain gear. Cameron took face paints to Vargas Thomas — she and the teacher painted flowers and smiley faces on the hands of the 5th graders and she returned with a giant red heart painted on her forehead!

We regularly use the taxi system, which is efficient with courteous drivers. Kristina and Milt were definitely our most enthusiastic walkers.

John said he had a busy schedule today and it changed often. His adult night class, as well as everyone, expressed thanks for their English lessons and sadness at our departure on Saturday.

Kristina and Cameron went shopping in the evening. The embroidery here is artistic and unique. It rained all day and there was a great chill in the air. Many children in the schools and riding bikes wore coats and heavy sweaters for the first time.

We had dinner at the hotel— Milt, Bod, Brenda, Kristina and Cameron shared “school” stories and made travel plans. This adventure is winding down and so are we!

Written by Cameron Fox

Friday, October 15, 2010

An Excellent First Week!

Friday, 15 October

Breakfast at Hotel Fáma. Food - ham, cheese, bread, rolls available for school snacks. Team discussed journal entires by each members each day. Departed for separate schools about 7:30. Walking Fáma to Nemeth Laszlo about 10 minutes to arrive before 08:00.

School instruction very punctual. Is regulated by chimes which play “Happy Birthday to you.” As every where in my experience, Hungarian children all have different life styles. Some more “laid back” than others and some assertive.

Each team member works with 2 to 5 teachers in 2 to 4 different classes each morning. After lunch the team members discussed their morning progress and concerns about the reactions of the individual classes to the instruction by team members. Team members spoke of whether the students were responding to instruction. Almost universal positive responses were reported. Some team members' instructors apparently are more structured than others. John (from Mississippi) talks "funny" (southern accent) and students take a little amount to adjust to he spoken dialect!!

All team members reported success in the adult classes held in each afternoon. Apparently the team instruction is going well, if the participation in conversation by students with team members and with each other is any criteria.

Team leader Milton Diehl continues to provide a wide experience for team members in learning Hungarian culture and history. The places of interest available to the team over the weekend was discussed. It was decided that a visit to a pottery manufacture should be eliminated and that a trip to near by city would be of greater benefit to all members.

A very good meal of beef goulash was obtained at the Fisherman's Restaurant. The team was joined by Rita Deszo who is the local representative from the Municipality that assists the Global Volunteer teams.

Everyone retired to Hotel Fáma to await the trip to Szeged on Saturday.

Written by John Fox

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

October's Volunteer Team is in Full Swing!

Wednesday, October 13

Thought for the Day: “A smile encourages acceptance; conversation fosters understanding.”


Today was my third day at Nemeth Laszlo primary and middle school in Hodmezovasarhely. At the school I co-teach with several Hungarian teachers of English. The school provides bilingual English/Hungarian instruction in some subjects, as well as teaching English. The staff are welcoming and a joy to work with. So far I have taught with Zsuzi (Suzi), Csilla, Anna, Ibolya (Violet), and Anna Marie. In class we provide general to specific conversational practice, and I contribute to the daily lesson (social studies).

The students are enthusiastic, polite, and attentive. All it seems, are eager to strengthen their English speaking ability. They are also curious about other countries, including the United States and in particular New York and Los Angeles. They wondered if I liked their city and some were surprised — happily so - when I stated that I prefer Hodmezovasarhely to Budapest.

In articulating, the students have difficulty with 'th' and 'w,' so we made a sort of repetitious game to practice the sounds. They did better than I did when they were trying to teach we have to say the last part of their town's name and similar sounds.

It was an excellent day.

Oh — I should mention that the students wanted to know if I had eaten any Hungarian food that I like - “yes,”I said “stuffed cabbage.” We had an excellent meal at a Hungarian restaurant tonight — wonderful stuffed cabbage, delicious crepes for dessert.


Brenda McNeal

Friday, October 1, 2010

Our Last Day of Teaching

Friday, October 1

The breakfast discussion was lively as we talked about our adult student classes, and prepared for our last day of teaching.

Barbara and Leslie were enjoying a “treat” at Milt's secret hiding place when Milt arrived upon his return trip from the Private English Language School. The three of us had an opportunity to talk about events of the past two weeks in a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Paul had returned from his classes when two students from his school arrived for a “private lesson.” Livia and her father came to see Jeanne and to say good bye. Livia is a student of Csilla's at Joseph Attila and has received private lessons during two previous teams and is a serious student who is improving her English speaking abilities very nicely because of her sincere desire to learn.

The weather has cooled down a little, but even with the broken overcast it was rather sunny.

The 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. reception with the teachers was this evening and 11 teachers along with the young daughter of one of the teachers joined us to celebrate the success of the last two weeks. The food provided by Hotel Fáma was excellent and enjoyed by all. The conversation was relaxed and everyone seemed to be enjoying the socialization so that it was after 6 PM when our guests started to leave.

My personal thank you is extended to all of you for doing such an outstanding job of working with the teachers, students and each other which resulted in this team being so successful.

Written by: Milt Diehl