After landing a job at Focus, I was feeling more relaxed and more comfortable with my role in Brazil. Better income and more freedom meant more opportunity to explore. Teaching English was becoming fun and enjoyable, for the first time since the summer of 2013 teaching was fun again. I started getting groups to teach at the course. There were some unforgettable students and groups that I taught but one group stood out from the rest. In the beginning it wasn't so easy as they had to get use to my way of teaching. They understood small words but generally in conversation they had a hard time grasping the idea and concepts of how to use the words. They also had difficulty adjusting to the speed and pitch of my voice. They would say, slow down teacher. I knew then I had to learn how to adjust to their pace before they had to adjust to mine. In time things became easier and the lines of communication was beginning bridged. We had an awesome time getting to know each other. We would joke and tell each other stories in class. With time it build trust with everyone which made us more open about sharing our experiences, which made everyone want to share their experience in English. Every week Monday and Wednesdays at nights at 7 pm for an hour we would make the best out of our classes. Sometimes it would be difficult to get through to them, because they would complain about the long and difficult day they had at work. Especially with my evening group which I had twice a week. Monday and Wednesday nights. They would come up with different scenarios about leaving their book at home or forgetting their homework on the metro or at their job. They mostly used the typical we didn't have any time routine which I found fascinating because many of this grown adults were acting like children. I discovered that many people in Rio would rather past the time by going to beach, go to the bar, hang out with their friends, Anything to do with work or studying was not something their used to.
It was a challenge for me at first, but with time and patience I had discovered, its good to change ones routine in order to get better results. I was bringing in a new concept and a new idea when it came to teaching. Everyone in the world can relate to fun. If used positively and constructively, it can change a person way of learning. I would ask them general topics about their personal interest and what was going on in their lives. That was the perfect opportunity they needed to speak so I can slowly give them the tools they needed to speak efficiently and correctly. Many people in Rio de Janerio were excited about having foreigners coming to their country to teach them English.. I was the most authentic person they knew and I could help them and change their lives in so many ways.
When I made the transition to work at Focus. I didn't know what to expect, For starters, the School was a professional school which meant I had to be organized to carry out the lesson plans and execute certain paperwork and documentation I had to complete on a regularly basis... Something that I have struggled with for the majority part of my life, so I had to focus a little bit more to make a better impression when it comes to organizing myself and preparing the lessons. As time went on, I learn to structure myself a little bit more. I gave myself enough time to absorb the lessons even more than what I am used t. Many of the students I had were beginners and they had never spoken any word of English, so for me, I had to be more patient than usually and try new techniques. Also many of them were timid to even want to attempt it sometimes was like pulling teeth. For me, I had to make them feel comfortable. I had to get in depth with them on the things that were happening in their lives and find a way for them to feel comfortable enough to say it in English. In time, with my extrovert personality and communications skills, I slowly had them talking to me even when there was nothing to be said. The interest and level of excitement learning about my background and the State which everyone dreams of going to, New York. They saw me as hope, that one day they could have the opportunity, to travel abroad for a better life or just the opportunity to experience something different from what they were used to.
In August 2014, I started working at Focus. It wasn't an easy transition from INEP because in that course, I had more freedom to do what I wanted and with Focus the classrooms were bigger, the students were more, the atmosphere was more professional. The difference which I liked about Focus was that it had more current and up to date material that could relate to,while learning English. In Focus, we use music, games, conversation new and up to date books and even activities outside the classrooms to draw a picture of the real English experience.The co-workers at the course are really good to work with. They are very helpful and if I was in a situation in which I need their help they would be right there.This made me believe I was in the right situation. For me, If I work in an environment in which everyone helps out the other I will show one hundred percent dedication and hard word into making sure I do my part. From the first 3 months, it was a roller coaster ride, But towards the end of December 2014, many of my students had already gotten used to me, even calling me the crazy teacher. It would be an insult for most, but for me I was letting them into a world were learning can be fun and exciting.
