Escola Modelo

This week is a big week. It is when we finally get to try out our teaching skills on real students. Since school isn't currently in session, Peace Corps organized a model school for students and community members interested in taking extra lessons in math, physics, chemistry, biology, and English.  There are three grades of classes offered: 8th, 9th, and 10th. During this model school I will teach four 45 minute lessons in Portuguese about basic organic chemistry.  For some reason, the entire 10th grade chemistry curriculum is organic chemistry. It seems a bit complex for high school because I didn't have organic chemistry until college, but we are starting with the basics and going from there.  I had my first class on Tuesday and I was definitely very nervous, but it actually went really well.  One down, three to go.  This week is a great opportunity to gain confidence in teaching and classroom management.  We also get to observe other volunteer's lessons in order to get ideas and give feedback.

Secondary school in Mozambique operates differently than high schools in the states.  Instead of the teacher staying in one room and the students changing classrooms throughout the day, the students stay in the same classroom all day and the teachers move around to their various classes throughout the day. This means that the students have all their classes with the same group of students.  These groups of students are called "turmas." The turma I am teaching for model school is a group of about 15 students ages 14-16.  It's nice to be able to start teaching with a small class size since my turmas in Zobue will be about 55-60 students.

Teaching in the Peace Corps wasn't my first choice, but I'm actually really enjoying preparing lesson plans and giving lessons.  Doing it in Portuguese is an extra challenge that makes it even more interesting. I can't wait to get to site and start teaching!