Tuesday, September 28, 2010
At breakfast we discussed the difficulty of the ESL English proficiency exam the students take as well as Milt's schedule of “surprise” visits to our classes.
The weather was lovely again today. We were also reminded to report our total of student-contact hours for the two weeks to Milt. Everyone continued to teach at assigned schools, using, re-using and experimenting with techniques ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous. No song is too silly, it seems.
At 3 we toured the local pottery factory, including a live demo by Mr. Sander Ambros. He proudly displayed a dazzling variety of colorful pieces, including some ancient and clever designs for dispensing wine and spirits, like the “Devil's Bible.”
We then hiked over to Nemeth Laszlo to meet our adult students again. Milt took Paul's class for a while so he could meet Sister Edith, the biology and chemistry teach at Nemeth as well as youth choir director at Saint Stevens. From her Paul learned a lot about the history of Christianity in the Soviet and later eras.
Dinner was at Oszum-Iszom again, this time with authentic stuffed cabbage (“kapusta”?) As promised. More walking than usual today. A few mosquitoes have greeted us along the way. How many is “a few?”
Written by: Paul Seliga
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
A Day of Enthusiasm & Exhaustion!
Wednesday, 22 September
Two Quotes for the Day:
“Men learn which they teach.” ~ Seneca
“A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.” ~ Buddha
After another early breakfast and packing our lunch, the team members journeyed to our schools. We are all enthusiastic making modifications to our tutoring to meet the needs of students and preparing a variety of materials.
After returning to Hotel Fáma and sharing the day's success stories everyone went to the Emelék Pont Museum for a very interesting tour which told of Hodmezovasarhely's history during the Communist and Russian occupation of Hungary. It was very informative.
Next the team went to help our adult classes and on to a delicous dinner of beef stew with paprika and galuska. Everyone was exhausted and said our good nights when we returned to the hotel.
Written by Volunteer Team Member: Barbara
Two Quotes for the Day:
“Men learn which they teach.” ~ Seneca
“A man should first direct himself in the way he should go. Only then should he instruct others.” ~ Buddha
After another early breakfast and packing our lunch, the team members journeyed to our schools. We are all enthusiastic making modifications to our tutoring to meet the needs of students and preparing a variety of materials.
After returning to Hotel Fáma and sharing the day's success stories everyone went to the Emelék Pont Museum for a very interesting tour which told of Hodmezovasarhely's history during the Communist and Russian occupation of Hungary. It was very informative.
Next the team went to help our adult classes and on to a delicous dinner of beef stew with paprika and galuska. Everyone was exhausted and said our good nights when we returned to the hotel.
Written by Volunteer Team Member: Barbara
Monday, September 20, 2010
First Day of Classes: A Wonderful Start!
Monday, 20 September
Thought for the Day: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear” ~ Mark Twain
Today was the first day of classes after breakfast and packing lunches, everyone headed on their separate ways. While some only had two scheduled classes and others had five, it still was a wonderful start to the two weeks. Even as each school had welcoming hands, different volunteers faced their own challenges.
Jeanne had some strict curriculum guidelines to follow. Leslie had never taught before, Paul had some chatty students, Barbara had five classes, and Mary was not allowed to enjoy her break period but had to sit in on others classes. Still even when we reconvened at 2 PM for some organizational team work, the positive remarks far outweighed the negatives. We discussed our goals for the program, from the simple teaching of English, to the desire to learn more about the Hungarian culture, and the chance to remember the importance of giving back.
Afterwards, we experienced a Milt impromptu Hungarian language class where we learned some basic words which should allow us to get by. We had a twenty minute break before it was time to leave for evening classes.
When we divided up the participants at the evening classes, there were three large beginner classes and then one of each of the intermediate and advanced. It was a night of figuring out what needed to be worked on and handled in the coming days. Some wanted interview advice and others were still learning nouns.
Though we were tired, dinner awaited us to conclude this first day. For dinner, we went past the Remembrance museum to the Black Eagle down by the City Hall. We began our meals with cold cherry soup which seemed more like a dessert than a beginner curse, with it whipped cream and biscuit. With a salad and a half sized entree, not one plate was licked clean or any stomach not fully stretched. And yet, dessert could not be neglected with a mango ice cream and fruit the meal was complete.
With a brisk stroll home, the day was complete and the resting and preparations for the next day could begin.
Written by Volunteer Team Member: Leslie
Thought for the Day: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear” ~ Mark Twain
Today was the first day of classes after breakfast and packing lunches, everyone headed on their separate ways. While some only had two scheduled classes and others had five, it still was a wonderful start to the two weeks. Even as each school had welcoming hands, different volunteers faced their own challenges.
Jeanne had some strict curriculum guidelines to follow. Leslie had never taught before, Paul had some chatty students, Barbara had five classes, and Mary was not allowed to enjoy her break period but had to sit in on others classes. Still even when we reconvened at 2 PM for some organizational team work, the positive remarks far outweighed the negatives. We discussed our goals for the program, from the simple teaching of English, to the desire to learn more about the Hungarian culture, and the chance to remember the importance of giving back.
Afterwards, we experienced a Milt impromptu Hungarian language class where we learned some basic words which should allow us to get by. We had a twenty minute break before it was time to leave for evening classes.
When we divided up the participants at the evening classes, there were three large beginner classes and then one of each of the intermediate and advanced. It was a night of figuring out what needed to be worked on and handled in the coming days. Some wanted interview advice and others were still learning nouns.
Though we were tired, dinner awaited us to conclude this first day. For dinner, we went past the Remembrance museum to the Black Eagle down by the City Hall. We began our meals with cold cherry soup which seemed more like a dessert than a beginner curse, with it whipped cream and biscuit. With a salad and a half sized entree, not one plate was licked clean or any stomach not fully stretched. And yet, dessert could not be neglected with a mango ice cream and fruit the meal was complete.
With a brisk stroll home, the day was complete and the resting and preparations for the next day could begin.
Written by Volunteer Team Member: Leslie
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