Today, after another very intense language course, we visited the U.S. Embassy for a short briefing on the mission of launching, supporting, and training ELL (English Language Learners) students and teachers, we learned of the Book Bus, which is absolutely encouraging and amazing! It's an actual bus that travels to various schools around the country with books, articles, laptops, and other various reading materials and the roof of the bus is solar-paneled, which is used to charge the computers for longer usage. Not only does this expose students to new reading materials, but it gets them excited about reading! What does one have to do to arrange for the Book Bus to arrive at their school? Just make a call to Prakash at the Embassy after receiving permission from the head principal of the school, set a date and it's done!
When five of us traveled to Lalitpur, a rural community south of Kathmandu, the views were absolutely stunning! Not only were the Himalayas clear and present and surrounding us, but I could also see the rice fields in the making, anticipating the monsoon in three-weeks time, the roads became narrower and the rural communities were hard at work in their fields, tending livestock, selling goods in the streets. The school we visited was very small, but about 4- levels high and the higher one was, the better view they had of the mountains and communities embedded within.
We first observed a brief lesson of English reading for 2nd graders, who couldn't help but stare at their Western visitors, eager to share the remaining space on the bench and wave and smile so emphatically. One couldn't help, but fall in love immediately. The second class we observed was the last one of the day, as schools run 10-4pm, and it was a 6th grade English lesson on perfect present, past, and future tense sentences. It became a little repetitive and it was obvious that as native English speakers, the teacher felt intimidated, so he informed us that, although it's an English lesson, he was going to speak in Nepali most of the time.
The majority of teaching in Nepal is direct instruction (mostly lecturing) and students are rarely encouraged to speak openly. If a teacher wants a student to answer a question, they will call on the student, that student rises, and answers accordingly. I think of my classes back home and can only think about the vast contrasts of interactions between students and teachers, and students and their peers. Corporal punishment still occurs in the school setting as it is not illegal, however, part of the NELTA incentive is to teach and train teachers alternatives to classroom/behavior management.
It's still a little unclear what my expectations are in the classroom, which will begin this Saturday, but hopefully as the week unravels, I'll have a better idea. Our group leader, Ganga, said we are to teach about 5 classes, beginning at 10 and ending at 4, but my Nepali host teacher mentioned a schedule of me showing up around 6:30/7 am and finishing around 8 pm, which includes the after school activities and additional planning. This would also include teaching a bachelor's program of studies as well as 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. I will be working alongside of him tomorrow, so hopefully some of the wrinkles will be ironed out by the close of our session. Another interesting fact is that Nepal's work week runs Sunday through Friday, with Saturday serving as the only holiday of the week. It makes sense as Nepal is not founded on Christianity nor does it bear much Christian influence, however, in Lalitpur, there is a size able Christian community due to missionary presence and there is a big use between the culture week of work and the Christians' belief in the Sabbath as a day of rest.
Well, it is getting late. Will respond soon.
NamoBuddha Pilgrimage
Have you ever heard of the story about the King Bayan Deer? It tells a story of sacrifice, compassion, generosity, and even suffering as the King discovered empathy through the actions of others. There are so many symbolic icons and representations in the Buddhist and Hindu faiths, it is extraordinary and inevitable to examine our own thoughts and actions.
Buddhist Prayer Flags
Traditionally, Buddhist prayer flags can be found in the Himalayas Mountains, along rooftops, even embedded in the flora of a country. They are hung to bless the countryside, those that are living nearby, and serve many other purposes. They traditionally come in five colors, which represent the Five Elements: sky (blue), air/wind (white), fire (red), water (green), Earth (yellow). Tibetan Buddhists believe that once all of the elements have reached a balance, good health and harmony will follow. Although many believe that the flags carry prayers, that is a common misunderstanding. In fact, there are mantras written across the prayer flags and in addition to saying the mantras, prayers are offered up for those that hang the flags for lifelong blessings. The best time to hang the flags is in the morning, preferably when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing; therefore the wind can carry compassion and good will to all within its reach. After traveling through Buddhist communities, I noticed that some prayer flags looked brand new while others were old, tattered, and faded. Just as Buddhists have accepted the journey of life through aging, so the flags are treated the same. Alongside of old, faded flags will hang new ones. The old ones are not taken down, burned, or thrown away because of the sanctity of the mantras and symbols. Each colored flag has an image or a name of the four powerful animals, better known as "Four Dignities". Perhaps you can see them on various Buddhist flags, but they are the dragon, garuda, tiger, and snowlion. How colorful and beautiful!
One-horned Nepali Rhino Mother and Calf
Truly an opportunity! Rare, but this is why you ride an elephant through the jungle because the elephant can navigate through dense jungle pathways and conceal the human scent in order to capture this wonderful occasion of observing one of Nepal’s species that are on the rebound in re-populating numbers, previously close to extinction!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
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My Parting Gifts
A parting gift from two of my students that worked so hard to create this beautiful piece of art that I can't wait to hang in my room next year!! Thank you so much for a wonderful year! You have touched my heart immensely!
Ganesha Chair
What a gorgeous expression of art! Thank you so much!
Map of Nepal
