Archive for the ‘Rants and Raves’ Category

I did enjoy my two weeks in London so much that I want to pack up and return there.
The cost of living was high because the rate of pound is high but the atmosphere
and the sites of interest were well worth experiencing.

I spent my first week in a homestay accommodation in Wimbledon. The family was
very nice but the first encounter with British eating habits was a cultural shock. Breakfast
is practically non-existent, cereals with milk and a toast is supposed to keep me up whole day?
Other teachers and students also grumbled about it. But dinner was big, filling, though not
as delicious as expected. The course was great, I got some tips to use in my lessons and had a chance to meet
teachers from other countries.

The second week I spent sightseeing and breaking my bank because some sights were spontaneous.
I spent L50 on a day trip to Bath/Stonehenge but I did enjoy it. Stonehenge was disappointing but
Bath with Roman baths was nice. I also took a guided tour to Parliament, Westminster Abbey set me back some L15
and so did Parliament (L12?). I bought London Pass with a 7 day Travel card for my second week
and in the final run I saved L70, which is great.

Tomorrow starts my first week of teaching. If everybody does pay, I will have made L900 at the end of this month.
It’s great for a starting month considering I had to lower rates due to financial problems we all know about. However,
my rent for my classroom is going to go down a bit because I asked for that, and they said yes.

I have some pics form my trip on my website www.angliskai.lt so please come and have a look.

I visited the annual book fair in Vilnius today. I spent about 100lt on books
that might be useful for my city guide work. I have passed my history and
geography tests and now the part for art and architecture is due to start.

I have one group of students, one pair of students and many individual students.
My current timetable starts at noon and continues into late evening. I spend
a few mornings for my private Italian lessons that I decided to continue.

My trip to London is now certain. I have had the guts to submit the paperwork
to get Grundvig funding and their reply is due to the end of this month.

I have uploaded some photos of Vilnius right here:
Vilnius

It’s the 2nd of Jan, 2009. Being a public holiday (the nation’s too hangoverish
to report to work) it will last until the 5th.

The fireworks from the Cathedral Square were supposed to be seen
‘from space’ but the fog ruined it all. It was best on TV. The city is
filled with events and shows but it’s too cold for my taste (-6′C).

I have resigned from my teaching position at the college. I heard my
mom swear at that O_______O. I just got tired and bored, don’t know
which came first. It wasn’t about the salary either- I knew what it was
when I picked it up. I just need a break. I still have two weeks to
work until I leave, that’s the notice period. I guess I act kind of
irresposnible but I just hate wasting my precious time for a dead cause.

More news…1) I started filling in my private students timetable. Christmas
break is aprticularly notorious because the whole nation’s on holiday. I
expect the book to start in mid-January. 2) I paid for an advert on
an online portal of 1588.lt, they give info on phone or by email. They split
my bill in 4 parts so that’s not going to hurt…much. 3) I already have
a private student who wants 10 lessons intensively because he’s leaving in
a week’s time. He agreed to my rates but the trick is the weekends’ lessons
are at his place. Well, his girlfriend’s place, I assume. I wasn’t sure about it
but he was recommended by a friend and agrees to pay upfront, as I usually
charge upfront. Today’s the first lesson. 4) I paid for my business licence
but the line was huge and it will be issued only next week. The taxes
and bills keep creeping up, Vilnius is not a capital of culture but
a capital of crisis.

I need to remember to water my plants.

And so, here I am, back from my trip to Stockholm. The weather
was generally nice, with occasional showers and strong wind. I
was wearing my fur coat so it was okay.

The hostel we stayed in was very conveniently located next to
the underground stop, and it was 4 minutes by it to the old
town. We bought Stockholm Card for free public transport and
visited a number of museums. The food wasn’t good but we
didn’t have any choice.

The prices there are something out of this world! Everything was
very expensive as for our teacher’s salary. However, the same malady
goes for Vilnius: I’ve just returned from the mall. I bought a pair of
jeans and two sweaters because I’m almost wearing rags, and I paid
the price of a one-way plane ticket (economy class). I still want
a new coat but that’s not until next fall.

Tomorrow is a public holiday due to All Saints. I willt ry to do
some lesson preparation or just head for the cinema.

From 2008 autumn DELTA certificate course is going to be
modular. There will be 3 modules, each certified seperately,
and a certificate for a full DELTA will be given after completing
the three modules.

The website of Cambridge DELTA says it will give teachers
more flexibility and fit in with their career plan, but I disagree.

First of all, there is no centre for DELTA in Lithuania, that means that
I will have to go abroad for it. The nearest centre is in Poland. That means,
should I want a full DELTA (and not a modular one cert.) I will have to
travel three times. Also, the pay is different for modules and
now one module costs an arm and a leg! Plus, I will have to pay for
my accommodation, food and other stuff. What is more, I will
not be able to work during that time, so I will not earn anything.

To my mind, this is another money scam. I really wanted to do a
normal DELTA and was even saving for it but now I don’t see a
reason. I’d rather enter for a second Master’s degree. I already
know what I’d like- the faculty of Educology, Andragogics studies.
Now I have tod ecide whether to make it day or distance studies.

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.

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.

My plans don’t change: two contracts and many individual
students. My June is filled in so much that some students will have
to change their timetables because I cannot take them at their
usual time. July is also half-filled owing to the two contracts.

What bothers me at the moment is that I went to a plastic surgeon
for a third opinion about a mole on my toe. He recommended surgical removal
with testing it for cancer. That’s 500 litas (1/3 of my salary) and it’s on
June 20th. So, cross your fingers for me!

And so, today I signed a contract for a summer camp.
I will have two groups of 7-9 year olds and one group
of 10-12 year olds. What bugs me most is that these
are mainly boys and there will be 30 of them in
each group. But considering the fact that each
lesson is 60min long, I think I will survive. I have armed
myself with a CD with songs and loads of printed material
for thematic lessons (animals, fruit, numbers, etc). Also,
the company will buy stuff for making posters, so I guess
that’s what I-I mean, they- will be doing most of the time, LOL.
Another good news is that another company that I rejected
the offer from called me today. I will do a placement for them
this Wednesday and then will see if I take them. Some old students
are still holding on, some new are making calls, so June is more
or less settled, as is part of July. What bothers me most is money for
rent, that is fixed for every month, my pension installments and
my holiday money which I’m trying to save for August.

Next, I am so tired and bored out of my mind that I have no words
to explain. I am very happy that I am what I am but I do need
a long break for recharging my batteries. But it’s good to know that
I have a profession that will feed me.