This week one of my students complimented me on my Arabic accent, so I'm feeling pretty chipper. Practice does seem to make perfect and despite many a faux pas, I keep plugging on. I like to think I bring a little joy into the lives of the people on the receiving end of my efforts, and so don't let the occasional strange looks make me despair.
Yesterday, I went to a conference and seminar here in Tripoli, arranged by the British Council for putative students and practising teachers. There was quite a buzz there, and it was good having the opportunity to talk to some native English speakers. There must have been, as well as the usual suspects like Oxford and Cambridge University Presses, about thirty British universities in attendance. SOAS provided some speakers, as did the Council. It was a great opportunity to do some networking so I made a number of contacts who may figure in my future plans. Apparently recruitment and retention of EFL and ESP teachers is a bit of a problem in Libya, so that's good news for people who want to stay here!
At the Institute, following on from the exams last week, I've changed my focus slightly to include more listening and spelling activities. To lighten the lessons a little, I also showed the Window on the World PGCE video of my teaching practice on one of the new flat screen TVs which has been installed in a classroom. In the middle of this, the Institute MD sauntered in, and watched my spiel on using the SmartBoard. We're due to get some of these soon, so, if I play my cards right, I'll be able to lead the training from the front.
Following on from the success of that exercise, I made up a DVD of some photographs I've taken whilst here, and included some of my family, Rome, and Britain. These went down very well - they're so interested in families here, and other countries and cultures. They commented on how like me my sons look, so I told them how lucky my sons were. Thankfully they understand this level of humour!
It's quite idyllic here, now that I've settled in to the flat. I buy a French stick straight out of the oven as I decamp from the bus, pick up some fresh fruit and veg on the walk home, and settle down to my main meal in the early afternoon, sometimes on the balcony, but more often inside whilst the weather decides what to do. I haven't had any booze since New Year's Day, and because it's not part of the culture here, I'm not sure I miss it anymore. It's available if you want it, but I can't be bothered with the hassle. I could really do with company though, of a kind that is just not available here.
I'm going off to the mountains tomorrow and Friday with a couple of students - apparently if I have a sensitive side at all I will weep with delight when I see the flowers, so I'm looking forward to the assault on my senses.
As luck would have it, I had my camera with me today when one student told me he wanted his photograph taken before he had his hair cut - he's been called up to do a month in the Army in March. He's a really gentle bloke, so I felt very sad when he told me. He's the one at the back on the left:
