My shirts drip with sweat at the end of every class. It seems ridiculous: Yeah, it’s hot here in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica, but I teach English, not pilates.
Teaching, however, has turned out to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. A given night might see me miming falling down, marching the students through the courtyard, or waving my arms to get a choral repeat. Then, there’s the mental challenge. Even with a good lesson plan, I face questions I wasn’t expecting, and I realize there are forms we haven’t learned. I return to my homestay each night with a far-gone look in my eyes, like I’d just run a marathon while reciting Dante’s Inferno.
I quit my editing job in Chicago for this six-month volunteer commitment in January. My program is called Costa Rican English for Sustainable Tourism, and it is run by ALIARSE, a Costa Rican nonprofit that runs several initiatives. CREST is run with Costa Rica Multilingue, a government effort aimed at bolstering multilingualism. I liked CREST because of the sustainable angle, because it was a six months (half a year with no pay and student loans seems scary enough), and because it offered the opportunity to learn Spanish living with a family.
The curriculum is that there is no curriculum, which is maddening and exhilarating. ALIARSE provides a few workbooks, but these haven’t been that applicable for full lessons. The previous teacher left me a letter outlining what she’d covered, but I found that many students forgot most of it. I’ve had to design the course as I go, which gives me a powerful level of freedom: If the class is not interested in what I’d planned but in another topic, I teach the new one. But this means I spend a lot of time planning new lessons to build on the previous day. I can’t plan ahead of time because I have no set goal for the course’s end. Where we get to is where we’ll be.
That makes me wonder: Where will I be at the end of this? I came here hoping for insight on teaching as a possible career. I’m not sure that it is. It’s rewarding, but it’s sometimes frustrating and scary. My main takeaway right now is potential. I see it in my students – many could do great things if they work hard enough. And I’m starting to see it in myself: There’s no reason I can’t write a book or work in the Middle East, if that’s what I want.
I just have to remember to bring enough shirts.
For more on Costa Rica, check out posts by La Vida Idealist blogger Meg Gray.
Latest posts by kentgreen
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- Oh No, Ojos! (or, Why Gringos Don't Make Eye Contact) - July 28th, 2010
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I’m insanely jealous that you’re getting so many life experiences. Believe me, there is real value in life abroad. And yes, you could live in the Middle East, I’m sure your spanglish would serve you well.
I love your insight and reflection, both of your experience and Latin American culture. I can’t wait to read what you have to say next…
Wow, thanks to all for the props. I hope I can live up to all of them!
This should be a very interesting read.
Love it. Thanks for taking us along on your adventure. I can’t wait to see where it leads.
I love your insight and reflection, both of your experience and Latin American culture. I can’t wait to read what you have to say next…
It takes great insight to quickly understand that teaching is difficult and requires a lot of thought and hard work. I really like your hook and ending Keep up the great writing.
So interesting to learn about Costa Rica and Central America through your eyes. Appreciate your reflective comments about your teaching as well as your awareness of the impact you can have on a student’s POTENTIAL. Look forward to hearing more!
Wonderfully written intro to what looks to be one hell of a blog.
I’m insanely jealous that you’re getting so many life experiences. Believe me, there is real value in life abroad. And yes, you could live in the Middle East, I’m sure your spanglish would serve you well.
This was a good read and I’m a person who enjoys Costa Rican Beaches. I’m really impressed with your writing.