No entendi. Que es "taller"?

As i said before, though not strongly emphasized: many things are unpredictable here in Chile.

For instance, you could go to school and realize its cancelled. You would wonder if you missed "the memo", but in actuality, no memo was ever sent. Chileans just know these things. (such as when school may be cancelled, etc)

Many things about my teaching placement in Chile are ambiguous. I was given information to mentally prepare me for what I MAY expect, but i knew that the advice given was subjective. Thus, I came here with minimal expectations.

However, I never expected these things: I didnt know I was going to be teaching 400 students. I didnt know I would be teaching up to 6 classes in one day. I didnt know I would be working with an english teacher that could not speak english.

I had another surprise today.

I have "taller" (tayer), or after school activities, on Wednesday from 2:30-5 and on Thursdays from 2:30-4pm. The title of my activity is called "English Club". I assumed that I would be working with my english teacher, Juan, during this time.

But when I went back to school today after lunch around 2:30, I asked Juan what we would be doing in taller. He said that he had class in his room, and I had my own class in my room. I thought *I could not believe this! I had a 2 1/2 hr class to teach, and I hadnt prepared anything!* I calmly told him that I did not understand this until then, and that I had not prepared for my own Taller.

I went back to my classroom, where 20 eager students were waiting to learn more English!!! They were disappointed when I explained to them that I did not have a "plan" for today. I promised them I would next week.

It was difficult to entertain them for 2 1/2 hrs. We played hangman, I taught restaurant vocabulary and had a restaurant skit, and then, we played pictionary.

I spoke with Elisa about what happened and she was also very taken-aback by this information. She didnt understand why Juan didnt communicate with me about Taller....*well, he doesnt speak english* I thought...

Elisa explained that "Taller" is an after school activity on a creative subject. The students are expected to create a product, such as a scarf in knitting taller. This is an opportunity for students to be artistic and innovative.

Even though I was shocked at first about the news that I would be taking on 5 more hours of teaching a week, I am very excited about this new challenge. I want to focus on music and acting during this time with the students and have them create skits and do sing-a-longs in class. Perhaps at the end of the year, the students in my taller can put on a performance for the entire school, parents, etc. It will be a memorable event!....with dancing, singing, performances...all in english.

If you have any mp3s of pop, rock, oldies, or rap music that my students (age 10-13) may enjoy, please email them to me!