Free Speaking

I'm in a class while I'm also helping teach a class.

Let me concept check that with you. Am I student? (yes) Am I a teacher? (yes) Are both these things happening on the same day? (yes) Good!

I've actually been the beneficiary of this kind of set up before. Houston Community College offers half price massages by students on a regular basis. And I've had several $20 four and five course meals via the college's culinary school. The idea both works and makes a great deal of sense. Who is more eager to share what they are learning than the student fresh from the classroom and untainted by demands of paying customers!?

These students don't pay for our teaching. And for that they get several hours of English practice, a bit of help on vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension, grammar and the gratitude of those of us who are benefitting from their willingness to participate.

Last week and this, I'm with the team focusing on the intermediate level. We have had more than 20 and as few as about 12 to 15. For the most part they are from Spanish-speaking countries, but we have Jordan, Vietnam, Korea, China and a few other locales represented. I'm enjoying what I'm learning about their countries and cultures.

Tonight I shared a bit of my learning at a dinner party my hosts gave. After a few minutes I had a couple of folks speaking the Arabic we were taught on our first day of class.

When I finished and noted that they had learned a few words of Arabic, I thought, "I just used the CELTA method to teach a language I would have told you was way too beyond me."

Maybe mine wasn't free but it's definitely worth the investment thus far!