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As we near our last Chile class on Buffalo State’s campus together as a cohort, I can only reflect on how far we have come in such a seemingly short semester this has been. We have been given a variety of tools to succeed down in Chile – especially learning strategies to most effectively teach English Language Learners (lots of repetition, manipulatives, visuals, group interactions, etc.!). I’m curious to find out how our ECELA (Spanish immersion) class will be structured, and if we will see similar approaches to these while they are teaching us Spanish. Of course, I am excited to implement my instructional activities and lessons while actually in our Chilean classrooms – contributing to both my teaching experience and research on interactive read alouds. A few of us are exploring whether interactive read alouds might be an effective approach for Chilean classrooms. We will have the opportunity to demonstrate different teaching methods and materials for the teachers to possibly begin to use in the future. I truly hope we are able to have a positive impact on these students and teachers, as I know they will on us. To put it more simply: I just cannot wait!
Last week’s class meeting included the assignment of our travel roles, or “jobs” for each of us while we are down in Chile – such as the Navigator (helps the group find their way around), the Translator (helps the group communicate with others in Spanish), the Planner (always knows our schedule of events), our “Mamá” (looks out for the health well-being of each of us), and several others! I was, very appropriately, assigned the role of the Social Butterfly. I’m not sure I really see this as a job any more than I see it as my natural way of life (I tend to make friends everywhere I go), so I’m looking forward to having more of a reason to take this quality with me to Chile. We were finally assigned our host families a few days ago! To really put a cherry on top of all the excitement, I learned that I will be living with Katie, who has truly become my best friend over the past year. We endured the ever-dreaded Block 1 (but totally awesome – hi, Dr. Z!) together, and most importantly, we ultimately made the decision together to apply for the IPDS Chile 2017 experience. We hoped to have the experience together (whether we lived with the same host family or not), but now we really can! I’m glad we will be there to provide support – emotionally and physically – for each other, that I am sure we will both need at times. For now, working on packing, preparing instructional materials and tying up various loose ends before travel remain at the top of my list – my many, many lists. It’s tough having to first finish up other obligations of this semester – finals week is among us, amigos – before getting to focus solely on preparing for travel. I am a bit in denial that we are leaving for Chile in 13 days, 6 hours and 25 minutes, but who’s counting?
3 Comments
Mom
5/8/2017 09:47:14 pm
I can't believe it is almost here! Seems like you have been talking about it for years:) You are a very lucky girl! Lots of memories to be had!
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Tamara (SOE)
5/19/2017 09:57:03 am
Christine, I'm so glad that you are part of the Chile adventure crew! I can sense that you'll be making the most of every experience, and keeping the group smiling. Have a great flight! I look forward to reading your reflections :)
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Solicitar un préstamo ahora
1/21/2024 07:09:30 am
Buenos días señor / señora,
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Bienvenidos!
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