Week Six

I still can't believe it's almost over.

I think at this point I'm ready.  The lack of sleep from the past six weeks is finally catching up with me.  I'm exhausted all the time anymore.  A day off will be nice. 

The students have been busy with tests and studying lately.  We had a lot of Japanese food this weekend and watched the Women's Soccer World Cup:  Japan vs. USA.  I thought the screaming would never stop when Japan won.

I have a lot of adventures ahead of me still.  On the 29th I will say goodbye to all of the new friends I've made this summer (except the one student who is staying).  I'll have a few days' break before all of the international students come for the fall semester.  Then classes start.  I'll be spending most of the semester preparing for my trip to the Czech Republic in the spring.  I also have a small bucket list of things I want to do that semester.  I'm definitely going to be getting a tattoo, taking some Japanese cooking lessons from my friend Aki, and visiting Sunflower Mountain, the highest point in Kansas.  I'm looking forward to it.  Fall is my favorite season. 

In the meantime, I have 12 more days with these students.  They've inspired me to try to learn a little Japanese and possibly spend a summer in Japan.  If I can find a summer teaching English job there, I'll definitely go for it : ) 

Česky

As you might have read in my introduction post, I am planning on studying abroad in the Czech Republic next spring.  One of the reasons I decided to make this blog was to document my preparation process, as well as my adventures once I get there.  At the moment, I haven't done a whole lot of preparation.  I won't be able to apply for another couple of months.  However, I have been trying to learn some Czech.

I am figuring out that learning Czech is NOT like learning French or Spanish.  The grammar is WAY more complex and it doesn't help that there is nowhere for me to take Czech classes, let alone practice with a native speaker.  When I first set out to learn, I was relying on random YouTube videos and grammar sites.  Though some of the videos did help me learn some of the basics (Hello, How are you, etc.), there wasn't much to go off of as far as grammar is concerned.

And then I discovered Livemocha.  It is a free language learning website and it is AWESOME.  The lessons involve reading, speaking, writing, and listening, all of which are essential to learning a language.  The best part is that you can submit your writing and speaking practices onto the website to be reviewed by native speakers.  The only downside is that the lessons don't really explain the grammar...they just kind of expect you to figure it out by watching the patterns.  Nonetheless, I highly recommend this website to anyone thinking about learning a language.  It's also a good resource for anyone going into TESOL or ESL because you can give feedback on the English submissions. 

I am hoping that my Czech will at least be able to get me around once I get there.  I don't expect to be carrying on elaborate conversations.  I'm mostly going for the practical stuff, like ordering food and asking for directions.  Though most of my program is taught in English (I am doing a TESOL program), there is also an opportunity to take Czech lessons, which I most certainly will take advantage of.  Maybe after I spend a semester there I'll be able to have a conversation.  I certainly hope so.

For now, it looks like greetings and numbers will have to do.

Dobrou noc!