Trying something different

Today was a little out of the ordinary and very cool. This morning we met a fellow English teacher from Fasilides, Ato Temesgen, at the private school where he is a 10th grade English teacher, King's Academy. It happens to be across the street from our neighborhood and we pass by the colorfully painted concrete fence surrounding it every day. We joined him for two periods of his 10^th grade English classes. What a different experience! The private v public education differs like night and day. We were greeted by three professional, warm and friendly men who spoke great English. We waited in the main office which was equipped with multiple computers, ladies on the telephone, a man laminating student ID cards, a young girl being cared for lovingly by the headmaster as she awaited her older brother to pick her up after a schoolyard incident. We were then led to the ground floor of a multi level school building where the two tenth grade classes are held. Students are in school from 8am to 3:30pm and there are only two tenth grade classes of about 50 each. The students were quiet, they listened and they even asked us questions (gasp!). None had ever been to America but they have family members who are there now. Their English level varied but closer to the comprehensible, understandable, intelligible level. Afterwards, we walked around the school grounds and visited the Pre-K area. It was lunchtime and the little kids sat outside in their navy blue uniforms eating their lunches by hand. It was really adorable, the tiny braids, wide eyes and waving hands were really a site to see. They have a playground with swings and tires to climb through. The walls of their classrooms were colored with activities and the alphabet. Their teachers greeted us in perfect English. The differences between public and private education are amazing. They use the same government issued textbooks but in private they are able to purchase grammar workbooks that they may use and write in. They are able to afford to pay for well educated teachers who fooled me if they don’t hold themselves to a higher standard.  The students pay 300 birr a month for private school. That is $16.75.

Max in class with King's Academy 10th grade students and Ato Temesgen

This evening we joined Ato Temesgen on another one of his “life outside of Fasilides Secondary School” projects. He really has a mission for educating the youth of Gondar in the English language. He holds English classes Monday through Friday from 5:30-6:30 and 6:30 to 7:30 for those who would like further practice. Open to students from 9^th grade up to college level. We recognized students from our own classes at Fasilides! These classes are held in an elementary school in the Piazza. We joined the earlier class of about 60 students. They spoke English very well and most hands were raised to ask us questions about America, the election, the hurricane and if we were a couple. It was much more of an exciting experience to work with folks who are eager to learn the language, not forced to be in the classroom but take it upon themselves to learn more. Not sure if and how much they pay for these classes.

I must admit, after seeing Ato Temesgen run late for classes at Fasilides, we were not surprised when he showed up 20 minutes late for class at King’s Academy. He asked us to join him half an hour before class begins at 5pm in the Piazza for a cup of coffee which sounded great because I was hoping to ask him about the students and the arrangements he made to lead these classes. When he arrived at 5:50 and ordered a machiatto it infuriated me. What do his students do when he is late like that?! Do these kids pay daily and continue to do so when their teacher only shows up for half a class? And no, I do not want a coffee, I have been sitting here for 50 minutes drinking coffee and would finally like to meet the class now, thank you. I digress, Temesgen really is a great guy with a big heart. It seems as though a public school teacher can not make a living off their salary alone and since they are not required to be at school for very long they are free to pick up extracurriculars. Temesgen is dedicated to teaching English and helping those who want to learn. He is admired by his students and I see why, he genuinely cares.  I am glad we had the exposure we did today. It was fun to change it up a bit too, helps put things in perspective, keeps things exciting and definitely makes you appreciate who you are, where you come from and the English language you were taught at birth.