Day 4 in Maldives

INTRODUCTION

I am Vickie Winston of Talk in English Online. I decided to start a blog to answer questions people have asked me and to share my thoughts and experiences as of April 1, 2010.

Why now?

I have been working consistently in Japan for the last 4 years, but suddenly I decided to quit and become a temporary volunteer teacher in Maldives. The plan is April 1 - July 31. So, people are curious, and I would like to make a log of my experiences - professional and personal. This seems the best way to share my experiences with only those who are really interested!

PURPOSE

Many have asked why I decided to come to Maldives and leave my work in Japan.

Answer: Self-improvement.

Professionally:

I enjoyed my time in Japan, but it was always teaching to the same type of learners in a sense. I am grateful for my experience there, but I need more world experience so I can be a better teacher at an American school some day.

Here in Maldives, there are various nationalities working in the resorts. The resorts want their staff to speak English better to serve their customers. Perhaps the majority of tourists are not from English speaking countries, but English is the common world language. So, I am in luck!

The challenge will be to work again with various nationalities. I did at Berlitz in Beverly Hills and at the University of Central Missouri, but that has been several years ago so my confidence has dwindled.

I know I will be tempted to rely on tricks of the trade in teaching Japanese, but they won't work anymore. Luckily I never spoke but a few words of Japanese, so I couldn't rely on it too much in class, but it was nice to check the meanings of some basic things with my beginner learners. Also, I could use gestures or cultural icons as a crutch, but those are unlikely to work here. The gesture for "money" or "sorry" won't be recognized I am sure. The use of "Mt. Fuji" or "Disneyland" to use in comparatives, locations, or topics will likely be unknown to this population.

Since the workers are unlikely to be well-educated in their native lands (but, I may be wrong...), it will be more of a challenge. At least the students coming to UCM or Berlitz were either focused on education or came from wealth so tended to be educated. I am guessing the hospitality staff have limited educations. I have heard some can speak some, but they can't read or write English. Others can read but cannot speak more than a greeting.

So, I will learn (how to teach to a variety of backgrounds) as they learn (how to speak English better for their jobs).

Personally:

"Self-improvement" can work here too. Or "challenge", "change", "freedom", "rejuvenation", or "adventure". There are many personal benefits surrounding me now! I am interested in just experiencing it all and hopefully sharing a part of the world which people I know might not have the chance to visit.

It is such a different world than most everyone I know has lived in, so I hope to be a bridge which brings everyone a little closer by understanding other cultures better. But, that is not my focus! I am just here to create and live and grow. I can't worry about the rest!

MEANS

I came across an organization called Reach Learning Center. They contract teachers out to nearby resort islands or teach local residents who pay a small tuition to study primarily in group classes. It is a relatively new company and there are only 4 full-time teachers it seems - me being one of them. Since they take volunteers, there are 2-week teachers here and there I have heard.

The textbook they have elected to use is Cambridge's Ventures series. Until now they have used Interchange which I was using in Japan's community classes. But, apparently the English was too focused on American situations and therefore not so useful for the hospitality staff working with a lot of European tourists. Also, there is more breadth in the levels offered they believe. Sadly, I have only worked with the Intro level of Interchange and it seems I will be working mainly with level 2 of Ventures, so I can't compare apples to apples at this time. Maybe I can have hands-on experience later with the starting level.

I will begin two Monday/Wednesday classes at two resorts first.

Two weeks after that, I will teach two more classes on Sunday / Tuesday at another resort.

Though I am not in the classroom much, the commute time is incredible! I will walk or take a bus to the ferry. I will take a ferry to Male, the capital (15 minute ride that comes twice an hour). I will then take staff boats that only come 2 or 3 times a day to the islands, so I can't miss those boats! Then, I have to wait til the classes start. So, there is a lot of down time it seems. I am figuring it will be about 2 hours of teaching and 6 hours of commuting / waiting each work day!

FIRST IMPRESSION

Reach LC is a one-room business. I am impressed that it is a very new and tidy place since many things I have seen on this islands are poor and dirty. So, it has a professional feel to it.

The directors, a husband and wife team, are new to the business but seem capable and determined to do a good job.

Until now, the classes have only been at the school, but they are reaching out more and more to resorts to get their business. It seems that usually resorts hire teachers directly, but Reach LC is trying to gather more clients by reaching off their island of Hulhumale.

Concerning Maldives and my impression, I stepped out of the plane and thought "sauna"! It was very hot at 8:30 a.m.! Already I feel I am adjust to it though and know that it is not hotter than Texas or Oklahoma on the hottest of summer days. The difference is that Texas and Oklahoma have incredible air-conditioning and the systems here are equivalent to Japan's poor cooling systems.

Next, I noted how blue and beautiful the water is!! It is like the pictures with clear water you can see right through. The beautiful trees and, from above, the island resorts built out into the water was just what I imagined from pictures.

Sadly, litter is everywhere! Piles and bags and pieces are surrounding the bottom of every single tree, every empty lot, every stairwell. Glass and trash is all along the top part of the beach. Thankfully I didn't notice trash in the sand or in the water as I snorkeled by my neighborhood. But, it is floating against the piers and piled on the little islands we pass while riding the ferries. I am shocked by it and by the burning of it on nearby islands. I have heard that the people here just don't notice it and they just toss it by the piece or shopping bag full all along the sidewalks. They have grown up with it and don't notice it. This is on Hulhumale. In the capital of Male, I didn't see it so much. The resorts keep their islands spotless for the tourists.

And, since this is an Islamic country, I couldn't help but notice the local mosque's golden, rounded roof and the many women dressed to cover all their bodies either in long-sleeves and pants or in abayas and around 85% wear head scarves. I am so happy to see that there is an acceptance of varied degrees of women's dress. Some wear Indian style sarees even, and some American's just wear shorts to their knees and short-sleeved shirts. Also, stores close 5 times a day for prayers. And on Friday, they closed for at least an hour for their services. Weekends here are Friday / Saturday.

I have seen a few Americans (about 5) and hear that there are 23 foreign teachers at the local international school. They are from Turkey and other countries as well. Many workers here are Indian. The construction workers are perhaps from Bangladesh.

I was so surprised by the different atmosphere Friday night! The streets were filled with people like it was a block party. Men and women and families just walking around or standing about with no agenda at all it seemed! It was just their day off and they all hang out in the streets! Usually I see young men hanging out on street corners or on walls doing nothing, but Friday was different.

The gardens by the mosque are beautiful with walkways and flowers.

The snorkeling was a bit disappointing since the coral is dead in our lagoon, but I hear it is nice just pass the breaker. I feel like my eyes got sunburned if that is possible...the rest of me lathered in sunblock did fine in the direct equator rays.

EXPECTATIONS

I am trying not to have many!

I think the students will warm up to me quickly as those in Japan did.

I think I will figure out how to eat here without other's help...but I can't imagine it yet!

I think I will get over my fear of groups of young men standing around...but that may take some time. (I wish Syga was here to do the friendly interaction that he is so good at! I think of you Syga as I walk around. I am hoping your influence will help me overcome soon!)

I think I will grow to love it here and find it hard to leave...