Preparing to Go to Taiwan

Preparing to go to Taiwan. What a trip in and of itself! This week we had training where we learned all about the ILP (International Language Program) teaching method. It is quite fabulous. I love the system and approach they have. They focus on getting the children to speak in English and not so much memorization but getting them to talk about in English what they already know in Chinese.

I am kind of scared to go over there and teach because I feel inadequate. They did say that the only way to get good at teaching is to teach, so I must go over there and "get her done"! I am sure by the end of the first month I will be loving it! And I cannot see loving kids being against me either. do realize that kids can be quite trying and will try to test the boundaries of what the teacher will allow in the class. "The first test in the classroom, is not given by the teacher , but by the students to the teacher"!

Visas. This has been a hassle. All but one person going to Taiwan has their visa. Everyone else is still waiting for theirs. I am almost to the point where they are going to send mine unless they ask for more information. I am hoping they are satisfied and that they will send it. If not, I hope to get my passport before we leave on Thursday, the 26th of June so I can get my landing visa and not be an illegal in Taiwan. LOL. Most everyone going is in the same boat. It has been stressful and wading through bureaucracy is never fun! Unless you are a Masochist, which I am not.

Today at training, we talked about the culture and that got me really excited. It sounds like lots of fun. I want to go to the night markets, the beach, the movie theatres, and much much more. The main religions in Taiwan are Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. I want to go explore those temples and hopefully be able to watch or participate in their ceremonies. My friend Connie and I have vowed to go see those.

We will be living at the school in Feng Yeng on the 4th floor of the building. We will have Western toilets there, which is very exciting because elsewhere there are just holes in the ground. That will be some adventure. We will also have two washers and no dyers--in Taiwan clothes are hung to dry.

There is much more to tell and see when I get there. I hopefully will be a diligent writer, but since a professor once said to his students: " the past is the best predictor of the future". And if you only knew my track records. Or maybe that was just mailed letter, let's hope.

To all my friends and family, I love you dearly. Thanks for all your support! XOXOXO!