More Training - TEFL Conference

Waiting for the train

I am on my way to Baku again on the night train (I love the night train) with my co teacher that has a passion to be a good teacher.   I am so happy that this teacher is coming to this TEFL conference with me. Thank God, as my counterpart is the epitome of the worst type of teacher possible. Everything we are told to watch out for, this teacher is.  She is too busy to teach the classes, so she sends me in and makes excuses why she can't teach, she hits the students and she is just not nice.  I was extremely happy when PC said that my counterpart could not participate in this conference, another teacher should have the opportunity.

I brought my camera this trip instead of taking my computer, so I am taking lots of pictures of Baku.  I have no funny stories to tell as I found the train station and I didn't get lost finding my hotel, or on the metro or on the bus.  Wow, this must be a record of some sorts!! I am feeling more comfortable in Baku.  But I do have one funny story.  My roomate and I went for a walk after dinner for some fresh air and after tucking in our co teachers. It was a nice walk and we decided to buy a beer at a pub next door to the hotel, so we walked in and of course we were the only women in the pub.  We asked for a seat, and the waiter started telling us yoxdur (no, no), so we walked out assuming it wasn't a place for women.  Oh well, maybe a beer the next night.  But as we got to our hotel, a man came running after us "ladies did you want a drink?" Yes, "then he said, the waiter didn't understand you, please come back". Okay.. we went back and the man translated the beers and I requested a Czech beer and then he asked if we wanted a large or small.  My friend said (since she lived in Ireland) a pint would be fine.  Well, they brought out our beer, but it wasn't a pint it was a Liter!!!  And I had to used both hands to lift that glass. I have to tell you, I'm glad that we were at a hotel with indoor bathroom because we drink that whole beer!!   The days went quickly, but I ate at an Italian restaurant, a Scottish Pub, and an Indian pub.  It was great. We went to the music theater and listen to the Azerbaijan Symphony. It was wonderful.

Azerbaijan Symphony

So, now it is back to school.  On Tuesday, I have classes with my least favorite teachers.  The 8th form are smart students but very talkative.  Last week they were talking so much that I wouldn't let them come to the conversation club so today they were extremely quiet. For review, I played hangman with the review words and they loved it.  They all participated and even the one girl who always frown was smiling and raising her hand.  My 6th form is also very good, but my counterpart only teaches to 2-3 students whereas I call on all students. My counterpart was checking homework and when one boy didn't do it, she smack him in the head.  I was shocked, but didn't say anything, but at the end of the class, she walked over to another student (a girl) and started yelling at her and slapped her a couple of times, I got angry.  She notice I was coming towards her and she stopped and as we walked out of the room, she told me the girl didn't want to come to school and wasn't afraid of her.  I told her "DO NOT" hit the children when I am in the room.  She kept making excuses and I again said "Please DO NOT hit the children!!" Do you understand what I just said?  She acknowledge me but she became very angry with me.  I don't care, I will not allow that to happen when I am in the room and the next time (God forbide), I will embarass her in front of the class.  This is just unacceptable.

Life Challenge:  Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier..... Mother Teresa