Visit to the School

Today I went to meet with Frau Uta Riecke, the director of the Freie Schule Magdeburg. She is a very nice person, and introduced me to the rest of the staff, who are all equally kind. I'm looking forward to working with them for the year, though am a bit surprised at my duties.


The Job: When I was asked by FSM if wished to spend my year there, I was given the distinct impression that I was to be teaching English. I will be, but not very often. Deciphering my schedule is tricky, but it looks like I will only be teaching English twice a week. Most of my time during the normal school day will be spent in the kitchen. Which would be fine -- if that's what I had signed up for. Though I won't be alone bemoaning my fate: Tom is an 18/19yr old guy doing an FSJ just like I am. I'm not sure if he is going through the same agency as I am (Landesvereinigung kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung, or LKJ), but be that as it may, he is also spending the majority of his time in the kitchen. My afternoon will be spent watching the kids while the play, etc.

Uta (everyone uses the informal du at FSM) asked me to teach a course once a week, on pretty much anything. This was rather upsetting for me, as thinking about it made me realize that I don't have many marketable skills of the sort you teach to a group of kids aged 6-10. Somehow they just wouldn't appreciate the talent it takes to make a perfect espresso or scan Latin poetry on sight. I am considering the following topics:

• American culture - But where to start? I only know about a tiny sliver of American culture.
• Conflict resolution - It's been a long time since I had conflict resolution way back in 4th grade, but I remember the basics, and can brush up on more.

...and that's it. So, if you think of anything I could teach, then please let me know.

My Hours:

• Monday: 11:00-4:30pm
• Tuesday: 10:30-5:00pm
• Wednesday: 10:00-5:00pm
• Thursday: 10:00-4:30pm
• Friday: 10:00-5:00pm