Ever put a key in a lock, knowing that it's the right key, but find that it just won't unlock the door? You put it in. You pull it out. You put it in again and try to turn it. You even try to turn it while turning the knob at the same time, but to no avail. The door won't open. Then... you take the key out, put it in, turn it and 'click,' it unlocks. I think my 'key' has finally opened the 'lock' to teaching in Australia.
I'm not sure what made it all unfold, but I think it was a number of things all at once.
Sound bites 1. The way Americans say 'emu' is hilarious to Aussies. We say it 'e-moo.' They say 'e-mew.' Yesterday, I had a whole class laughing at me because of my pronunciation. 2. Here you pronounce the 'h' in "herbicide" and "herbs." 3. 'Dune' here is pronounced 'june.' (which I think is hilarious) 4. Today a student told me that I needed to "go back to my country." I was so humored by it that I didn't realize that I should be offended. He got a suspension warning for it. 5. For the first time ever I almost had a fight break out in my class today. A girl fight. It was pretty entertaining to watch, and I managed to get everyone calmed down without any physical contact. 6. I'm starting to realize that the way things are done here is starting to feel normal. The driving and walking on the left isn't anything I even notice anymore. I can understand Aussie speech without much issue at all - even when they use all their slang (like when someone is being a sook or is crook.) It is all starting to feel so... familiar. I know that feeling. I know it from when I lived in Germany. And I know that it is what makes going back home to your old life so difficult.
3 Comments
Naomi
8/25/2017 09:27:45
Reading this makes me happy. Today is my first day back at work and my classes start Monday. New crop of students and I am changing around how I teach one of my classes. I will take your thoughts with me as I progress through the coming week.
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Lesley Tobin
8/25/2017 22:54:57
Great to hear!! It's what we all kept telling you from day one but we know it takes time to get it. I repeat... you're a Fantastic teacher Myla -we just do it a bit different here!
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Myla Liljemark
9/3/2017 22:34:03
Thanks for EVERYTHING Lesley!!
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AuthorThe Liljemark's enjoy exploring the world. This blog chronicles our adventures. Archives
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