Archive for June, 2008

Yesterday I googled advertisment pages for work offers about
translating. One company replied with a trial translation. I think I
did it well but I will leave it for a couple of days to rest before
the final revision and sending. Translating isn’t my cup of tea
but when the season is low, ‘even a crab is a fish’.

I’m feeling very burnt-out. The second summer camp starts
next week and I don’t really want to do it. It’s a good job
with one or two clock hours per day only and it seems
that there will be less kids than in the previous camp, but my
motivation isn’t up. It’s unfair that teachers have to take up
classes they hate just because they need money.

I haven’t thought about my holidays yet. I’m going to
go to a gym and language courses (Italian or Japanese)
for my own pleasure. I can’t wait for August to come!

The good news is that I got another private students
who got my number at the summer camp I hate, so
it’s a bargain. The pay is good and the work isn’t a burden.

My mole was removed and I had my toe bandaged
again. The stitches are to be removed on Wednesday. I’m not
sure how I will be able to walk then but I cannot take
a sick-leave because I’ll lose my hours and my pay.

I am seriously planning to take on tons of work
beginning with September so that I could afford to leave on holidays
in July and August next year. My mom got her paycheck
today with her vacation money and we really need to
find her a second job soon. Luckily, there are still
one or two private students asking for lessons. Our rates
are low as compared to language courses.

Incoherent today, please do excuse me.

Even though everything I did during this weekend was to sit
with my bandaged toe up and watch TV (I am a proud
addict of Criminal Minds, the Foxcrime TV channel), the
world seems to turn quite the other way than I was
asking for.

First, from the 1st July my self-employed certificate will
double in price. With inflation as this, that will also mean
my school room’s rent will go up and the bills as well. Taking it
all into consideration, I will have to readjust my rates. I will
give up those students that attend only once a week in search
of those who can attend more. I will not raise my lesson fees
(though I’m charging way less than other schools) but I will
introduce a fee for photocopies made. I will also
advertise more to compile at least one group per term, then
4 daily private students will be enough. I am buying
stationery supplies in bulk.

The good news is that I have two ideas to work on.
The first idea is mine and evolves around a day centre
for children. I was surprised by the lists of the enrolled
students to the basketball summer camp (37 kids per group!)
and that hints at the new market. I imagine there kids would
be kept busy with lessons of English or French, music,
art, crafts, or something else until their parents pick them up.
The centre is packed with such places but the new districts
are bare. However, I don’t like kids (it’s mutual mutilation)
and as my old friend says’ there is a kid-there is a problem’.
Hopefully, those problem’s parents pay.

The other idea is that of my friends. He is suggesting starting
a course of distance online learning. It is all in a plan phase
and there are many things to look into, so I won’t talk more
about that.

All I know is that the next time I go shopping I will
not look into the price of bread or else I may get a heart
attack, and I am not covered for a sick-leave even though
I pay my taxes. Welcome to Lithuania.

According to the new law, this autumn is when a foreign
language is introduced in the second grade. Until then it was
only in the secondary level and in the primary level if the
parents asked for it. Now it is going to be compulsory, though
many schools had it anyway. This is a chance for primary teachers
without English and English teachers without primary teacher’s
qualifications to obtain new competences in different courses.

I am also looking into gaining another degree in educology, such
as androgogics (spelling?) but then again it will be paid studies
and I doubt they will be highly useful. Maybe it’s time to study
something I want, not something I need? That will make
me somewhat happier, I guess.

I have a plan to go to a teacher development course in
England next year. I am saving for that because I don’t
think that applying for grants is very effective. At the same
time it will be a chance to see London, finally! Not that I
am craving for it, but that would be interesing.

So, today I had a mole on my toe removed and sent
for a biopsy. I have to keep my leg up for some time,
so I had planned this surgery before St. John’s
festivities that account for another extended weekend.

I still have my two summer contracts and a couple
of old private students. I get some call about July
lessons so I take it my business is going well.

I bought New Headway Advanced all set and with this
I completed the set of my coursebooks. I was
interested in getting Aviation English for my own
pleasure but it was too expensive, 80 litas! With
inflation up like this, I think I do need to obtain as much
books and materials as I can before they become more
expensive in autumn. When I leave for August holidays,
I will have time to spend at the bookshops and
screen for good investment.

Now, have fun searching for the blossom of
‘papartis’! Fern blossom is said to bring extreme luck
to the person who finds it. However, this plant never
blossoms. However, this is not a hindrance for a try!

(Original picture location: http://www.gamtosproduktai.lt/lt/info/alb/2007/2007_II)

Well, just thought to update the world about my life.
First of all, my summer camp for kids is halfway through.
The kids are a noisy lot but we are managing so far. I
feel bad about using too much paper with them as
they use up five or six handouts per lesson and there
are 30 of them in each group (I’ve got 3 groups). I
would love to make them do something but they just scream,
run around,throw pencils at each other and leave a mess
after them. I try not to take things too personaly as
it’s just a summer camp and I’m not expected to teach
anything, just keep them from killing somebody.

Next, my work contract at a rehabilitation centre for
disabled people was signed and I strated my work there.
Transportation to and from leaves a lot to be desired.
They try to support me with copies and equipment, so
I can’t complain about that. What I don’t like is what
turns out to be a free attendance system. Today I had
one person in my group in their third lesson who came
for the first time and we dealing with irregular past.
Moments like this I feel I am not made to teach.