My life as a teacher!

Thought I'd post about my life as a babysitter teacher.  Most of my life here in Taipei revolves around working.  Although I am not a fan of that fact, I do enjoy the kids I teach, so they make the long days worth it.  Every morning, I teach kindergarten students.  Kindergarten is a bit different here as there are four levels.  I teach the youngest level.. 2-3 year olds.  Let's just say it's a challenge!!!  Most days I feel I am more of a disciplinarian than a teacher but whatever English they are soaking up will help them in their coming years.  Many of them speak and repeat a lot of English, some more than others, but of course is not a quick process as they barely know how to speak Chinese properly.  Most of my kids speak to me in Chinese a lot as they don't know that I don't speak it.  Some have been there longer than others, so they have caught on that Teacher Amanda no speak Chinese!  I have learned a lot of words in Chinese, I won't say I can speak it.. but I do understand simple things that they are saying but then I try to make them say it in English instead.

Unlike in Canada and the US, I can freely hug and cuddle my kids every day which is lovely.  They are absolute delights and they bring a smile to my face everyday.  Of course they drive me mad most days as well, as they don't listen, hit each other, fidget, are crazy, etc.  But what can you expect, they are 2!!!  Children are so hilarious and definitely entertain me.. they fall SO often for no reason lol.  So funny.  Oh, and did I mention the tears??  So many tears.  Definitely not a boring job!  Here are some pictures of some of my kindy kids!

This is what happens when you wake them up from nap time!

He was also kicking his legs in anger over having to wake up.  Tough life.

In the afternoon, I teach 6-8 year olds.  They have had a few years of kindergarten English already, so we are able to have some conversations in English which is nice.  I teach 4 girls, so it's a small class and they are all a joy to teach.  It is nice to teach them things and them be able to ask questions back and converse with me.  One asked me the other day "When you go home after school, do you see your mom and dad?" I don't think they quite understand that I am far away from home, even though I do explain it to them a lot.

Teaching these beautiful children sure makes me excited for when I eventually have kids.  It's like having built in entertainment in your life for years and years.  They are just so cute and funny, and even when they are bad, it's so hard to be mad at them because they are just too darn cute!

Hopefully I won't have a rude awakening when I return to Canada and teach children that are not respectful to their teacher.  I'm sure I will!