First Day: Teaching Success

I've now started teaching in my three schools.  Under the language assistant program for the Ministry of Education in France, I teach 12 hours per week, which amounts to two whole days.  This year I'll be working Mondays and Thursdays.  I travel to an outlying village called Pia for the day on Mondays, and Thursdays I divide my time between two schools in Perpignan.

My first day in the schools went quite well.  It was a simple day, presenting myself and the USA/ Colorado, and checking the English levels of my students.  We reviewed numbers and the alphabet in most of my classes.  Whether they remember a lot or not, most of my elementary students have studied at least a tiny bit of English.  So everything is off to a good start, and Monday ended with a lot of smiles and waves and a pack of kids surrounding me with a big hug!  They all wanted to kiss my cheek.  As for the rest of my lessons, this semester is quite short for me since I've arrived so late; soon I'll be doing my Thanksgiving lesson, taking a week break for some quality family time (in the Caribbean!!), and then on to Christmas celebrations...

Walking home from my first day at school.

<3 Danielle

Perpignan - Encore

It has been a great year of travels and new friendships across the world.  Well, now I'm happy to announce that after spending a wonderful summer in Colorado (with a visit to Nebraska), I'm back in France for the year. 

This opportunity came about quite suddenly and I jumped into preparations quickly.  One month ago I received the offer, and only this week I arrived here back in Perpignan.  I'll be teaching in elementary schools for my second year.  They are three different schools than last year, but I'm living in the same city.  I arranged an apartment before I arrived, so I have a cute, homey two-bedroom apartment next to a large park that I'm sharing with another English assistant.  Already this week, I start half of my classes, and will start the others next week. 

Jumping into the swing of things is strange since it is all familiar and new at the same time.  I have few friends that are left in Perpignan, but still a good community of new assistants I'd like to get to know.  The town is largely the same, but a few of the familiar shops have changed (Monoprix is no longer Monoprix). 

So here's to wishing for another great year! Visitors are welcome and encouraged... I even have an extra bed :) Any one who'd like my address is welcome to send me an email. 

Hoping everyone is well.  Love you!