On teaching adults...

Last night I started my second evening course - Advanced English.  I'd had a bit of trouble in the class beforehand due to my bad planning.  It's supposed to be Easy English Conversation but I have some very strong students in there and I'd been aiming my material too much towards them.  Now that the advanced class has started, I've recommended that some move to the later group and hopefully that will let me plan more focused and productive lessons!

The new students make a really interesting group.  This time there is a guy from Brazil who doesn't speak German and a woman from Russia.  (who coincidentally work at the same place but didn't know each other)  There are also two police officers - so it went down well that I had planned an activity on police corruption in Mexico!  But regardless of background, they were all keen to learn and to speak English.

I'm really looking forward to next week.

Crafty Christmas

A couple of weeks ago, Nico introduced me to a new shop in Bremen.  I'd seen the shop from outside but considering that it consists of the sign below and a downward heading escalator, I'd never trusted myself to go in.  It's actually a craft shop!  

Now that I've finished a couple of my big projects, I've decided I'm going to have a crafty Christmas and make my own cards and some decorations for the flat.  I already have a few ideas and my Irish penpal has a wonderful blog which has a lot of creative ideas that I might adapt and use myself!  I could do with some more inspiration though - any ideas?

Strictly's Back

Ok, it's not news, it's been back a while now but I wanted to give it a mention on here - Strictly COme Dancing 2011 is here!  Just like last year, I love tuning in on a Monday to catch both shows.  I love the glamour of it all and as soon as it starts, you just know Christmas (and a visit home) is on it's way.

This year was a bit of a mixed bag in terms of the celebrities and for the first time, I didn't really have one favourite from the start.  I think Russell Grant is brilliant!  I don't expect him to win it or anything but he is great entertainment.  In terms of a winner, it's still such a close race.  Jason has been looking good for weeks but the last two weeks haven't favoured him with the judges.  Chelsee has come from no where to be really brilliant and Holly and Harry are front runners too - very exciting.

It's so inspirational too.  Here in Germany, a lot of people learn ballroom dancing at school and I felt totally out of place not being able to dance at Nico's grandparents' wedding anniversary because I don't know the waltz.  If I can find a class I can attend, i.e. not the same night as the evening classes I teach, I'll be there!

Keep Dancing!

Latest Crossstitch

It's amazing what sick leave can do for your hobbies.  I bought this three years ago and just finished it this weekend!

27 things...watch 24 in 24.

I made the most of my last sick day on Friday and ticked another item off my 27 list.  I watched series 3 of 24 within 24 hours.  I had intended to just watch a series of 24 but the way we go through TV shows, it wasn't much of a challenge.  I started at 11am and finished at 5.30am on Saturday.  

On the whole I have enjoyed the first three series but I do feel it's getting a little bit repetitive and to be honest some of the storylines just make me want to scream at the TV.  Father and daughter working in the same office in such a job?...Husband and wife working in the same office in such a job?...and when will the President learn to stop asking his crazy bitch ex wife to help him?  It always goes horribly wrong when she's around (though I guess that last point has answered itself now).  

Maybe I'll get round to the other series' some day but for the moment I'm all 24d out!

27 things...finish my MA.

While I don't want to jinx this in the slightest, technically my MA is finished!

I submitted my dissertation this week and it is the best feeling in the world!  While it's been a great experience and I have enjoyed it, I've really felt like it's been hanging over me these last few months on the last module.  It's an experience I would recommend to anyone, especially teachers as it's a really great way to improve your practice.

So now I am just waiting on the results - provisionally in January and should graduate in July - keep your fingers crossed for me!

The Saturday Update

Well, I really wish there was more to report this week but unfortunately Nico and I have both been signed off work sick all week.  At first a couple of days sounds good and relaxing - especially after how busy our holidays were but honestly?  I hate sitting around doing nothing.  So I have been fairly busy catching up with our series' and on Friday I had a marathon of 24 in 24 and cross stitching.

So that's another tick off the list of 27!  I'm past half way now and while I'm not sure I'll manage everything by April 2nd...it feels good to have so many new experiences this year!

On a positive note, the crazy temperamental scales which said I had gained 4lbs last week claim that I have lost 6.5lbs this week so that's good!  Of course when I start doing more next week, I expect to gain - it seems to be the way these scales work.  Though avoiding cheese and alcohol can't have hurt. 

Next week it's back to work - completely fit or not and back to my French studies now that the MA is submitted.