“One time, someone asked for the toilet and I brought them a
plate.” This is everyone's favorite story to tell me here in my
village of an English misunderstanding. Oh, the joys of English.
Suddenly, I find myself teaching English. As I have said, multiple
times, I am super unqualified for such things. I can learn
languages. On a good day, I can speak English. BUT, to teach
it?!?!? How do I explain why asking do you have a fan uses “a”
and Do you have toilet paper does not? That is just the way you say
it. The implication of 'some' in regard to toilet paper, thus it is
plural (ish) and you can't use “a” makes sense in my head but I
don't know the rule for this and for people who haven't studied
letters, words like plural and singular are a bit vague... And, I of
course don't know them in Khmer. Plus, the Khmer language does not
have this structure (unlike the romance languages I have studied,
thus the concept is bizarre). Really should have become certified to
teach English before coming. Best part of this English-teaching
endeavor. For which, I wish I had a photo. After my adult class,
they specifically want to learn tourist/receiving guest vocab, the
kiddos come...
Yesterday, one munchkin asked to study. So, we learned some words
together. He was enthusiastic and I made things up as I went. He
asked today what time, so I gave him a time. He asked if he should
bring a writing book and pencil, I said yes. Exactly an hour and a
half before I told him to come, he comes proudly marching through the
gate with his book and pencil in a little bag. With another 10
kiddos proudly walking behind, each with their pencil and book in
bag. I was literally laughing my face off. It was the cutest thing
I have seen in a long time, needless to say, I again, had to fly by
the seat of my pants and make something up that worked for eleven
kids. With another four to five floating in and out and some running
through our space with a soccer ball. Oh, did I mention these kids
span probably around five years to 10 or 11 years old... And, cover
five grade levels. I have a white board, two different colored
markers and far too little imagination :) Though, I will consider it
a miracle I got them to sit (ish) and pay attention (maybe) for an
hour (let's just go with happy no one hit anyone else hard enough to
draw blood, these kids smack to communicate with each other). Now, I
just need to learn to read books in Khmer so we can have story
time...
