A new job offer

[Nasus]

I was offered a new job last week.. I might take it. The job is pretty interesting but as of yet I am not understanding why it is even being offered in Norway. I will be teaching American Culture, at a high school that is what Norwegians call a 2nd generation School.. in other words children born to Immigrant and refugee parents. Most if not all of the parents have little or no education and struggle with Norwegian, are mostly unemployed and live on welfare.

What I don't understand is the course itself.. why not have a course in Norwegian Culture. I am not sure what American Culture is anyway.. to my mind it's a Little bit of this a little bit of that.. like a vegatable soup. Who does not like Bagels and Lox.. nothings better than a taco, or pizza... how about Corned Beef and cabbage.
Soooo my goal will be to have these kids get rid of MTV as the leader of culture in America. I know I will be in for some hard questions.. like the war. My job as i see it is to give these kids a true understanding of what America is and what it stands for. How we are a vegetable soup but still manage get along and respect others. With the background of these kids this might turn out to be the hardest job i have ever had... no wonder they picked an American to do it.... Americans do the hard jobs. Here's hoping i am a good ambassador.

 

[Largo]

Sounds like a very challenging job as well as a wonderful opportunity. Don't forget the greens and corn bread <wink>. And congratulations if you take the position.

 

[Nasus]

Largo if u have a recipe for Corn Bread I would love to have it.. hmmm corn bread makes me drool... just like Kelvinn LOL

 

[ina/puusty]

Sounds like an exciting project, be certain to have some extended conversations with the admin. as to various 'hot topics'..and what you are allowed to talk about..at various levels of inquiry. Cover the school and yourself..from sometimes harsh views..that are a part..of an overall view. The school will not want to be emboiled in any contriversy..and yet..many views..can be covered..on any specific subject/culture/race...IF..the 'what-ifs'..are probed/talked about..before you deal with them, in class. If I were there..I would also do some sculking about..seeing WHY the course, WHO has ties to where your husband works..and what the political agendas curr. are..in Norway. Wheres ..'the power'..who is edgy..or concerned. Other than ..have fun..and enjoy the challenge. ina n HB

 

[luvxl k 9]

Good advice Ina, and congratulations on your new job prospect Nasus. You also might incorporate American Food into the course as much as possible. With four kids that I went through the teenage years with, you can always get their attention fast through their stomachs, especially from the sounds of the families they are coming from. And what is more American than "Apple Pie?":goofy:

 

[Yogi & Cordelia's Erin]

Don't forget baseball! It pairs well with apple pie ;-).
And popcorn.
And coffee milk.

Yes, I'm slightly weird.

Sounds like a great job.

 

[janices]

What I don't understand is the course itself.. why not have a course in Norwegian Culture. I am not sure what American Culture is anyway.. to my mind it's a Little bit of this a little bit of that.. like a vegatable soup. Who does not like Bagels and Lox.. nothings better than a taco, or pizza... how about Corned Beef and cabbage.
Soooo my goal will be to have these kids get rid of MTV as the leader of culture in America. I know I will be in for some hard questions.. like the war. My job as i see it is to give these kids a true understanding of what America is and what it stands for. How we are a vegetable soup but still manage get along and respect others. With the background of these kids this might turn out to be the hardest job i have ever had... no wonder they picked an American to do it.... Americans do the hard jobs. Here's hoping i am a good ambassador.

More than likely there's a lot of interaction in the global business environment with Americans which has a tendency to lead to misunderstandings because of the differences in cultures from Americans and Europeans.

 

[Angela]

Be sure to come up with a solid explaination as to why Americans spell differently to English speaking Europeans :lol:

 

[Largo]

Hey Susan, I don't eat corn bread really lol. But my sister makes great corn bread especially hot water corn bread. I'll get her recipe and forward it on to you.

Angela you crack me up!

 

[Windancer]

That is fascinating ! I think I would start with a history of how America came to be what it is. How the people of different cultures and nationalities came together to make this country. Personally, I would get stuck in the 90's somewhere, because I would not be able to explain what has gone on since them, or where we are headed.
J

 

[2newffamily]

Be sure to come up with a solid explaination as to why Americans spell differently to English speaking Europeans :lol:

Sounds like a challenging position you've been asked to fill. Besides different spellings (and misspellings), you could say that America's neighbours to the north are very similar in terms of our vegetable soup melting pot composition. All the best. I hope you enjoy the new job.

 

[Nasus]

update on New Job

Well out of 16 in the class.. 5 showed up. Some of the students spoke very well.. others could hardly speak English and had trouble understanding. Two of the girls where so shy that when i addressed one of them she started to cry, the other was shacking. This took me by surprise.. I brought the two girls out in the hall to speak with them in pvt.. it seems the last teacher called them stupid and told them they will never learn anything, just drop out of school and go have babies. I was shocked ! This class has had 10 "teachers" since the fall. So now i am determined to get these girls on track.. and make sure they know they are not stupid. I'm NOT leaving! Tomorrow.. I start to remake the class with or without the other 11 students.

 

[ina/puusty]

Now that's a challenge..and by the 'afore mentioned comments' by you..the 'trickle back' information..WILL bring in others. It sounds like the 'what is america..all about'..will truely begin..with how you go to bat..for EACH human life..curled into an emotional ball..inside those 5. Are they eating well at home..if low blood sugar..could also play a part. Is it possible to have a fruit tray and crackers..with juice/water..in the room and a five min. period to just arrive..snack whilst in a circle..plus you also sitting in a chair, at the same level..so your 'teacher power'..is relaxed..for the start of period? You may only have 2 for the next class..but at least the word would go out..we are entering..a diff. sort of class..with a diff. teacher now. Best luck..and keep us posted. hugs, ina

 

[2newffamily]

Good for you!! It's a shame anybody has to go through something like that. It is just plain cruel. A teacher like that has no business being in a classroom. Let us know how things progress.

 

[Nasus]

Update on Job

My first day in class only 5 out of 16 students showed up. I learned i am the 10th teacher this class has had since the fall (what happened to the other teachers.. I'll check the basement of the school LOL). Day 2 I had 11 students.. word got out i guess. 6 of the students (all boys) announced they were only in the class so they would not get an absent. They have no interest in the class or course at all, and they just huddled together and started talking and acting up.. well sorry guys.. not on my time. I sat them all down and told them they have two options.. One u can participate in this class as a full student to get a grade.. or u can withdraw from the class officially.. this is your two options. Please let me know next week, no other options. So we will see.

I would have had an easier time if i called one student up at a time and pulled out few teeth. I would ask a question and all i got were yawns, blank stares, and shrugging of shoulders. (Should i start to tap dance?)

I fully understand the students not wanting to invest in another teacher.. after all 10 teachers since the fall is not a good track record. The last teacher had these kids read silently from a text book as he sat at his desk and read the newspaper.
I told the students "I'm not leaving, because I don't quit!" I told them to take the text book home and bring it back at the end of the school year to turn it in.

On Thursday I gave out the rules.. since 7 students were late to class.. by at least 10 min.. and one showed up 45 min into the class, lateness is an absence, fair warning, the door will be closed 1 min after class begins.
I have to show this is a real class.

I brought Trivial Pursuit to class on Thur. The kids loved it. The kids begged to see a movie.. i gave in.. but with a twist, Yes i will bring in a movie, but u all must write a review for the next days class.. and no one liners.. at least 10 lines, full sentences, in English. OMG they almost fainted.. Why do we have to write anything ? My answer.. Nothing in life is free LOL.

I arranged to have one of Tronds colleges come and give a talk on the importance of English in business.. espesally computer engineering and software development which most of the class is interested in.. The kids really want to hear what he has to say.. Thank goodness.

Also i am trying to arrange a trip to the American Embassy to meet the Ambassador.. don't know if i will be successful but I did appeal to the Ambassadors wife who is a member of the American Women's Club which i am a member of also. She thought it was a good idea and will talk to him about it.

If anyone has any other ideas.. oh please let me know.. I have to gain trust, and move on to getting these kids to start speaking English.
Oh one more thing... we will be taking over the staff kitchen, Mac and Cheese on the menu.. What's more American than that? LOL.

 

[2Paws]

Sounds like you are getting a fantastic start on this. Good for you!!!! Love reading your updates. These kids will remember you the rest of their lives.

 

[ina/puusty]

Stay motivated, focused..making certain..to periodically..to startle them..with a 'hi jinks' moment. Open a book..and 12 sticks of wrapped gum..fall out , all over(done in front of the desk..not behind)..after you tell them..JUST before a break..that they will have a sm. assignment ...DURING break!! Wait..for the groans!! Then..as they catch the drift..to chew gum..IS the project..tell them to focus upon the flavor, does it last..or flash-in-the-pan. Explain that anything can be a project..IF..one trys to figure out..is it the best..of what it is? The swift assent..from simple piece of gum..is not lost on them..days later..because they were..'off balence'..and yet..'it all led to..something else'. Show them unusual interconnects. This was just an example..you will be totally able to create 'Startles'..and then extend..from your own life exp. and theirs. Have fun..and always..wear those ..combat boots. Remember..during my first year of teaching..first several weeks..I got locked in my art supply closet by the 8th graders., so stay ALERT!! hugs, ina n HB

 

[mudji]

Maybe use all sorts of cooking if you can to represent the myriad of cultures and tastes that are America. And maybe how those cultures are part of a larger world. Look at Nessa, her mom is Norwegian, and Nessa's American. Start celebrating American holidays, and how they may have come to be.. Earth Day is coming.. celebrate that.. as an American and how it can make a difference in Norway.

Would you like me to talk to my Norwegian friend who lived here most of her life?? I could call her for some suggestions....

Just some thoughts...
hannah

 

[2newffamily]

Sounds like you're getting off to a really good start. Food is a good focal point. After all, we all have to eat and what better way to start learning about the different cultures that make up the States (and Canada). After all, it took not only aboriginals, but people from many other countries to make Canada and the U.S. the great countries that they are. I have a friend who is Dutch Canadian. My former boss is second generation Japanese Canadian. Many of my good friends that I worked with are Chinese Canadian. I have friends from Jamaica, Kenya, Australia, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon ... and the list goes on. Keep us up-to-date on how things go.

 

[Nasus]

Another Update

Oh Boy I think i might working way to hard LOL. After two weeks I think i have found the answer to get these kids talking. Let me tell you guys.. It is not easy. After spending countless hours on programs, searching all the .gov sites, sites for teachers.. and all for nothing. I put a question on the board last wed.. "U.S. Election, Obama v Clinton v McCain, If you could who would you vote for?" Well i thought maybe some released sleeping gas into he classroom LOL.. They all went into a coma.. Ok gotta think fast.. so I said.. OK guys.. New Topic... What is your favorite TV show.. Well I almost fell backward.. the class came alive.. ALIVE I TELL YOU! We went from Everyone Loves Raymond, and one girl who is Muslim and wears the head scarf said Desperate Housewives.. LOL. They got so into this and debated which TV show was the best.. funniest, had some value.. we had such a good time..

I had told them about Kelvinn and pointed out my car in the parking lot.. One of the boys was whispering to another and then it was like the entire class was playing telephone.. I got a little nervous.. when all of a sudden the class called out.. Mrs.. we want to Pimp Your Ride!! I started laughing so hard my makeup was down my face.

So i think i found it.. just get down to a teen level.. it's like doing the limbo.. real low LOL