Bienvenuto a ITALIA!!!

After four very long and wonderful days, I have finally found an internet cafe. Unfortunately, hius post will be limited due to the long line behind me... and it's already costing me 5 or 6 euro.

I flew from STL to NYC, and then from NYC to Nice, France on Friday night, into Saturday morning. My wonderful friends were gracious enough to meet me at the NYC airport for lunch during my lay-over (Thanks guys... you made my day!). I landed in Nice and waited there to meet up with a few other tutors. Instead of just sitting around at the airport, I decided to explore the city, so I walked around and stumbled upon a zoo-park kind of place... so I decided to spend my fist ew euro to walk around it. It was so NICE to be in Nice (ha!) by myself with no destination or restrictions. Once the other tutors arrived, we had to figure out which bu to take t the train station, then which trains we needed to take to arrive in San Remo.

A few hours later, after feeling like we were on the Amazing Race (because we had to be there by 6, the ticket machine wouldnt except our credit cards, and none of us had ever studied French), we were finally greeted by our leaders at the San Remo train station. San Remo is a beautiful coastal own on the Italian Riviera. Perfect weather, palm trees, sand beaches, the whole sha-bang. I share a hotel flat ith four other tutors (from Florida, NYC, and Ontario respectively). They are all very nie and I have already become fiends with several of the other tutors here. My room is on the top floor, so we have beautiful view of the city and the sea from our balcony.

Saturday night, my flat-mates and I explored the city... very busy streets and tons of little shops and cafe's. Gellato and shoes are sold at almost every store. San Remo is also known for their extensive flower vendors, and it has the highest scooter-population ratio of any city in Italy. Drivers are crazy here... they do anything, and all the pedestrians just walk in the middle of the very narrow road. I think I would be considered a very good driver here!!

Sunday, we spent the day sunbathing and reading books on the tops-optional beach.

Thn yesterday and today, we have been in training from 9-5. The training is so interesting and I am learning so much. I am very excited to start working with my own class at the camps. I have really been inspired by the methods we are trained to use, and the things that our directors have told us. Italy has one of the worst educational systems in the EU, and ACLE has put on English caps for the last 26 years in order to slowly change the system, and to show teachers that their methods of education are ineffective. The directors use the word 'Medieval' to describe the education system here.

The typical Italian child studies English from kindergarten, but very few actually learn it well or enjoy it. They work from the 'chalk and talk' method hours each day, and never get to speak or use it practically. For example, the directors son studied chemistry for two years, but didn't know what a test-tube looked like. He had never done a single experiment in those two years.Our camps teach them English through fun-based, didactic activities... including gams, songs, and sports. We only use workbooks for an hour or two each day. For the rest of the time we lead them in learning and using Englsh by being themselves and enjoying being a kid.

Interesting fact: If I end up teaching a camp at the maturna level (4-6 year-olds) and have to review the alphabet, they make us teach the British pronounciation... which will be quite strange/fun. They pronounce H as 'haych' with the huh sound at the beginning...which actually does make more sense. But they pronounce Z as 'zed'... which maks no sense to me. Why would there only be one letter in the alphabet that contains two consonants n its pronunciation??

Anyway, I am already having an amazing time, and am learning so much. I have loved every second of it! It is also wonderful to be in such a diverse group. The tutors come from 8 different countries (all with the mother-tongue of English) and range in age from 20-30. Many of them already have degrees in education, while others (like myself) are here just exploring a passion. After teaching at least two camps, I will also earn my TEFL certification (teaching English as a foreign language). Although this certification is only recognized by the EU (US uses ESL- English as second language certificate), it will be a great thing to have!

I think I will know if/where I am assigned for the first week of camp by Thursday.
Hopefully I'll be able to post again soon and let you know! I love you all!

Ciao!

PS: Why do we not have jelly-filled or chocolate-filled croissants in the US??