Finishing Work in Malta

                  A Hard Day’s Week

This Friday is my last day of teaching school in Malta—for the winter.  As most of you know, I want to keep teaching, my school has part-time work, but the ETC—which grants work permits—will not allow a Non-EU person to work part-time.

But this is old news.  This Friday I have to say goodbye to a Spanish wine maker, two lovely Italian women who work for an emergency helicopter company in Italy, a young Russian man who is in love with a Russian girl he met recently at a dance who doesn’t know he loves her, a freelance Italian electrical engineer and a German gentleman of almost 70 years who wants to improve his English and who said his daughter was harder to raise than his two sons put together.

You can see why leaving this job is very difficult.  Where else can you meet people from all over the world who trust you to teach them something so important to them?

When I say goodbye to certain students, I often wonder how I’ll face the following Monday without them. But when that day comes, I miss them—but there’s another set of eager, nervous students waiting for my words of English wisdom. So when I concentrate on them, my grief for the former students dissipates—and the grieving turns into a fond or amusing memory.

But this Monday there won’t be any new faces or voices.  I just hope they’re waiting for me in the spring when I have a chance of having my permit renewed.

 

Comments

[Mike Owen]

My pleasure......Simply search "Cockney" and go to Wikipedia and it will give you all you need to know. XXX

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks for your advice, as usual, Mike. Actually, I looked at the site and I dont really even get it--Could you explain it to me? xx Ilene

[Mike Owen]

Having a break is a good thing. Perhaps you can teach yourself "Proper English". Here is a web site that you should read, study and absorb. We will be asking questions next time we see you.

http://www.cockneyrhymingslang.co.uk/slang/A

Perhaps your students may find some of the entries amusing.
Miss you, Mike and Dee.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Thanks, Mary.  Youre such an optimistic soul.  Hope you and everyone had a good holiday. Mr. S made a nice Thanksgiving chicken here in Malta--Ilene

[Mary Bartolotta]

Big shame, but I'm hopeful all will work out well for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Dee, you always know the right thing to say xx--Ilene

[Dee Owen]

Goodbyes are sad but good you have fond memories. Have a could rest and recharge for all the new students out there waiting for your return.

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Edward, thanks a lot!  I will for a bit--Ilene

[Edward]

Enjoy your well-deserved break :)