School Days in Malta
Here it is. This is the NSTS School in Gzira where I start my intensive CELTA class. That stands for: Cambridge (as in England) English Language Teaching of Adults. It's a very intensive course that will last the entire month of February. It goes from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. I will have about three hours of work per night and throughout the entire weekend.
The director of the program told us to tell our spouse or partner that we will have no time to socialize the month of the course. Please take note, Mr. S.
So I will be just doing some short posts here and there in February.
I haven't been a student in a very long time. So I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. But everyone has been telling me I can do it. So I'd like to thank all my new and old friends for their encouragement. Especially my good friend Antonella who, after hearing the course description, said, "I don't want to scare you, but this course would kill me."
P.S. I'm afraid I'll be the oldest student in the course. I've been looking for a sign that I will make a good student and will be able to compete with my younger, more brain-celled peers And the sign came: a gigantic pimple on my nose. Just in time for Monday.
Wish me luck, will you?
Mary, thanks for your inspiring story. But I sweat everything---small stuff, big stuff, hot flashes stuff. I really appreciate your confidence in me--------Ilene
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | February 03, 2009 at 01:30 AM
Ilene,
Don't sweat the small stuff. My Best College friend from college, who grew up on Long Island, married a Spaniard (met her Junior Year Abroad in Madrid). She was a Spanish major.They first lived in Puerto Rico where she taught English. After 2 years they moved to Spain and she taught American English. Probably the only one in the whole country that taught the good ole Gringo stuff, but the students learned from someone who really spoke the language. Then she started teaching Technical/Scientific English to researchers, people in the medical field, engineers. (Most of her teaching was at the University level). To this day, I wonder how she did it. I think she kept a day ahead of her students, but she has quite a translation business going for herself now. Still lives in Spain, but visited the States this summer. I have the utmost faith you'll do fine. Fake it 'til you make it. Be well and take care. Relax.
Posted by: Mary Bartolotta | February 01, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Hi Spanish Couple, I was making a silly joke. Thanks again for your encouragement.
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | February 01, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Hello Ilene!
Here we are, studying english with the bbc program...
We don't know how much money the teacher earned, because we go to a school and we pay to the school, not to the teacher...
Work hard and good luck!!
Posted by: Spanish couple in Malta | February 01, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Hey there, everyone. Thanks so much for all your good wishes and funny thoughts. I'm having a major sense of unreality at this moment.
Dee-I'm scared they're going to charge me extra tuition for the pimple.
Lynda--You are very clever and just made me more nervous. The only thing I can definitely answer is that: Yes, Mr. S will be making me dinner and doing the cleaning (G-d Willing) when he finally does come in a couple of weeks. But I don't want him to water the plants.
To the SPANISH COUPLE--Thanks so much for your encouragement. How much does your 55-year-old teacher charge you??? Hey, I'll be 56 in March--even better. Sorry...
To Lynne--my "old" and bestest college roommate: Thanks for all your encouragement. I have one thing to say regarding all this: Did I snore back then? My current roommate says I do--but I don't believe him.
Dwardu--Thanks for your good wishes.
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | February 01, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Hey, Good Luck Ilene! 'Break a leg', as they say on the stage, but not literally! Hope the brain cells and 'pimple'(or is it zit) survive and go away (the pimple that is)!
Posted by: Dee Owen | February 01, 2009 at 11:44 AM
All the best Ilene, I'm sure you will sail through the course . When you've completed it Will you be teaching American English or English English. Will it be 'route' or rowte, herb or erb. Will Mr S be doing the cleaning and having dinner ready for you when you come home from your studies.
We will be rooting for you or is that rowting for you. Keep smiling
Posted by: Lynda Adlington | February 01, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Hello,
We are a spanish couple studying english in Malta. We have discovered your blog severel days ago and we think that it is great.
We want to say yo that we have been studying english with a 55 years old woman teacher and she was fantantic!
I think that with your experience you can make interesting classes and contribute more than a younger person.
A lot of good luck for you!!!!
Posted by: Spanish couple in Malta | January 31, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Welllllllll - since I was there on DAY 1 when you first started college, and for 2 years after that, I am here to say that I KNOW you can do this, and pass with flying colors!
And OF COURSE you got a gorgeous pimple just in time - it's so you don't feel that much older than your classmates after all! LOL
Posted by: Lynne | January 31, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Good luck :)
Posted by: dwardu | January 31, 2009 at 08:16 AM