Unfortunately, the US Department of State didn’t send me to Joao Pessoa so that I could relax at the beach and experience Carnival. While I wouldn’t complain about such an arrangement, I doubt others would share my enthusiasm for a taxpayer-funded program that subsidizes tropical vacations. Accepting the Fulbright was signing up for a job. The job just happens to be in a place with palm tree-lined beaches. I am here to work.
For the next nine months, I will be an English Teaching Assistant at the Universidade Federal da Paraiba in Joao Pessoa. Its a public university with a couple thousand students who are mostly from Paraiba and neighboring northeastern states. After a slow first couple of weeks waiting for classes to begin, the workload has really picked up. My weekly schedule is starting to take shape. I teach two “optional” classes that have neither grades nor tests. One is about American culture and the other deals with international relations. So far in the classes, we’ve discussed stereotypes about Americans and the conflict in Libya, respectively. Additionally, I come to other English classes and lead discussions about whatever topic the teacher has in mind. This week, I’ve discussed American high school life with future Brazilian high school English teachers and taught about street art in the US. The students generally have strong English skills and have been engaged by the topics. Hopefully everything continues to go well.
Hey Ben- I'm really enjoying your blog! You seem to have been assigned to a beautiful place. Your schedule sounds very similar to mine. I have English language labs to help with writing and listening skills, I'm about to start an American film course, and I'm invited to present or lead discussions in the professors' classes. I was curious about your presentation on American high school life. I'm preparing to present on the same topic and was hoping you might have some resources to share.
ReplyDeleteHope everything continues to go well out there!
Hey Candice,
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed your blog as well. Belem seems like a fascinating place.
Unfortunately, my talk about American high school life wasn't really a full lecture. They were presenting pictures on their high schools as part of a project so I was invited to show pictures/talk about where I had gone to school. They did seem to be pretty interested about prom and high school athletics. I think anything that explores life in a large public school would interest your students -- quite a different reality from what is common here.