Its nearly February, in two weeks we have the exam mocks, for my exam classes. Then there is feedback, then there is Carnival. After Carnival it will be late Feb when my brother will be here. Then it'll be March, when my mother is coming. After, the weather will be good, one hopes.
Then, it will be April and at the end of April my gorgeous girlfriend is coming here. Then it will be Msy, and the start of the exam period. By that time there will only be weeks left of the job.
All this thinking means I have stumbled upon questions of the future, my own petty future.
A good telf blog I occasionally read, called ' The tefl graveyard' inspired these current thoughts. In a recent article the author wrote about two types of people, Spanners and Planners. He is a spanner.
Spanners find problems, and more problems, and more problem, in everything they do or want to do. They tend to criticize and be generally negative. These type of people. according to the tefl graveyard, are more likely to stay in jobs they dislike. The author's blog is an entertaining rant against the tefl world. He has been in it for 15 years. He is a spanner through and through.
This got me to thinking of my future. I am no spanner. I think ahead, plan and make changes, on the most part, a reality. That said, I have had my fair few ideas, or plans, not happen. (A famous scientist, I forget who, said its better to have 100 ideas and have one work than have no ideas at all- I am with him on that). In the current context, of tefl bumming around the world, I need to think of possible plans for post June.
I compiled a list of options, with some being more realistic and others just thoughts on paper. Though, thoughts on paper have a habit of becoming real if you want it enough.
So,.....
I like Portugal. However my current language lessons are taking the fun out of language learning. There is little spontaneity, it is regimented and I am stuck with Mrs I got money and no brains. Harsh, but true. Further to this my employer, the language giant, has reminded me of their ever generous offer of free language lessons, prodding me to be on time, everyday, despite Mrs slow's sluggish learning speeds. I msut be honest and say that this is not easy for me, the other student or the morning commute.
To better understand my point of view I will jot down my average week, over the past month.
Monday- up at 7 30(If I am lucky), classes from 9 till 11. Possibly lunch with a fellow language learner(not mrs French diplomat aka mrs slow), or home for about an hour, sometimes 90 mins. Then it is the bus, which often takes 45 mins, with the waiting time. 6-10 hours at school, hour back and I'm normally at home between 9 or 10 on early days and 11 or 12 on late days. Dinner and chilling and it is already close to midnight or one in the morning. No time for nada else.
Result? Mediocre achievements in language learning equipt with a healthy contempt for loaded perks (paying customers are never hassled- they are often jobless, partying or 'studying'- for 2 hours per day). Health isn't great. eating poorly. sleeping worse. Sleeping less than 8 hours is not a bad thing, though coupled with days where I am out from 12 to 15 hours it turns into one long week, or rather a somewhat daunghting week.
This leaves me with a monster predicament. Either quit the lessons and never progress at Portuguese, or carry on, have no life but bear the struggle in pursuit of better communicative ability (3 months in lessons and should be good enough).
There would be no contest if it was certain I would stay a second year. I would do the lessons. Though, with the monthly breakdown aforementioned 3 months from now will be close to the end of the 9 months and there is quite alot of things going on in those months. If I don't choose to stay, at this point I am even thinking why bother with 3 months of stress, hassle and sacrifice for no long term gain?
So then there are the other options.
I have applied for summer work in the states, keen to go back with the promise of an EFL camp expereience. No word back from them yet though. Bournemouth is another option for summer as I know I will get treated better, know more people, know where to dance, do gymnastics etc etc Birmingham is also another option. There are a few things going on there as well.
Europe has plenty of camps, and there are even tefly things in Asia.
The non Tefl possibilities include getting work experience in the UK with family and local businessmen, as long term I am going to try my hand at being in business. Property related courses also appeal, as I have felt for many years that my hands are not tough or rough enough, plus it will help enormously when I srape together a deposit for property development.
There was also a vague plan to cycle around Europe with another Tefl bum, though I haven't heard much from him, he is in Columbia( if still alive). Also cycling or traveling sounds fun but doesn't engage my work ethic much- it'll also be expensive...
Along the lines of the future and non jobs there is something I have been thinking about, and want to do some day. That is building in developing countries. It will give me the experience of building and construction necessary for the foundations of property development (or at least a fundamental understanding of it) and, give the right choice, a chance to have an authentic experience, using language skills in a natural environment.
Post Summer, into the next academic year, there are other choices to be made. If I move on where will I go. Possibilities include Japan, Korea, other parts of Europe,.. no idea. The yen is very , very tempting though.
For those of you brave, or bored, enough to have read this far I add a spanner (possibly where he got the planner and spanner thing from!) into the works. All my current thoughts are affected by th mist rain and fog of this time of year. I haven't focused on the positives. *
So there's my ideas, not quite 100, but hopefully one will be good enough.
*The sun might change my mind on all these crazy plans.....
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