Argh
Argh!
May 8th
Mont d'Olmes
It this week finally over? What has been possibly the worst week at American Village for the team here at Les Monts d'Olmes and myself is at last finished. The kids came from a fancy private school and were spoiled rich. They did not respect us when we tried to get them to be quiet or do group activities. Eventually, after repetition and forced one-on-one reiteration of what we wanted (“Be quiet!” “Sit down!” “Sit up!” “Stop talking” “Away from the wall!” “Stop that!”) they would settle and listen for two minutes and continue talking. The worst is when they would listen and understand “stop talking” and then as soon as a counselor would turn away, they would continue talking. Granted, they are just kids, but every other group that we have had has been better behaved. And I say 'spoiled' because whenever we planned something or forced them to do something they didn't like, they would pout, groan, moan, and whine. These thirty-six 11 and 12 year olds would try sad puppy dog faces, innocent smiles, and conceive devious lies to get their way. If seen cheating and called out about it, they would shake their head and say “not me!” or other dishonest words. The dinner table was a nightmare for some never listened and constantly snatched. American Village has a policy that the student is to ask the counselor and even their fellow classmates in English for things. “May I have some water please.” “May I have some bread please.” “Please pass the salt.” etc etc. Usually, the kids catch on after the first full day. Not so with some this past week.
Wall-E never listened. Tony Danza never sat down. Superman never sat up. Candy Cane and Ladybug wrote on a note in English class that a counselor, Brooklyn, some bad name in French. Brooklyn, the English teacher speaks and comprehends French, however, so he knew what they were saying. So when he asked them what it meant, under the pretension that no counselor understands French, they lied and said it meant something nice. Perhaps ironic: American Village's policy is that if a counselor speaks French, they must pretend not to and lie to the children. Yet here we are getting upset at the children for lying to us about their French.
Oh, the tangled webs we weave.
But there were many good kids surrounded by the bad eggs. Slushie, Apple Pie, and Zebra were good girls along with the boys Tin Tin, Rocky, and Hash Brown.
Three more weeks of speaking simple English sentences to children and then I come home. I'm ready. I will gladly see this job through. I enjoy working here with fun staff and beautiful scenery. The snow is melting all around and flowers are blooming. When on top of the mountain peak at the beginning of the week, I was level with the flat bottom of high clouds. Today, we gazed out at the flat top of low clouds, curving around and soon taking over the hills. As soon as the bus filled with children rolled away, we had our meeting, and quickly cleaned up so we could relax. Beers were popped open, naps were taken, and a blog was written.
May 8th
Mont d'Olmes
It this week finally over? What has been possibly the worst week at American Village for the team here at Les Monts d'Olmes and myself is at last finished. The kids came from a fancy private school and were spoiled rich. They did not respect us when we tried to get them to be quiet or do group activities. Eventually, after repetition and forced one-on-one reiteration of what we wanted (“Be quiet!” “Sit down!” “Sit up!” “Stop talking” “Away from the wall!” “Stop that!”) they would settle and listen for two minutes and continue talking. The worst is when they would listen and understand “stop talking” and then as soon as a counselor would turn away, they would continue talking. Granted, they are just kids, but every other group that we have had has been better behaved. And I say 'spoiled' because whenever we planned something or forced them to do something they didn't like, they would pout, groan, moan, and whine. These thirty-six 11 and 12 year olds would try sad puppy dog faces, innocent smiles, and conceive devious lies to get their way. If seen cheating and called out about it, they would shake their head and say “not me!” or other dishonest words. The dinner table was a nightmare for some never listened and constantly snatched. American Village has a policy that the student is to ask the counselor and even their fellow classmates in English for things. “May I have some water please.” “May I have some bread please.” “Please pass the salt.” etc etc. Usually, the kids catch on after the first full day. Not so with some this past week.
Wall-E never listened. Tony Danza never sat down. Superman never sat up. Candy Cane and Ladybug wrote on a note in English class that a counselor, Brooklyn, some bad name in French. Brooklyn, the English teacher speaks and comprehends French, however, so he knew what they were saying. So when he asked them what it meant, under the pretension that no counselor understands French, they lied and said it meant something nice. Perhaps ironic: American Village's policy is that if a counselor speaks French, they must pretend not to and lie to the children. Yet here we are getting upset at the children for lying to us about their French.
Oh, the tangled webs we weave.
But there were many good kids surrounded by the bad eggs. Slushie, Apple Pie, and Zebra were good girls along with the boys Tin Tin, Rocky, and Hash Brown.
Three more weeks of speaking simple English sentences to children and then I come home. I'm ready. I will gladly see this job through. I enjoy working here with fun staff and beautiful scenery. The snow is melting all around and flowers are blooming. When on top of the mountain peak at the beginning of the week, I was level with the flat bottom of high clouds. Today, we gazed out at the flat top of low clouds, curving around and soon taking over the hills. As soon as the bus filled with children rolled away, we had our meeting, and quickly cleaned up so we could relax. Beers were popped open, naps were taken, and a blog was written.
Comments