Catching up...

Hello, readers!
Here's a catch-up post

University classes are going well. 
In my departments here (history & geography, philology and education) homework doesn't really exist. Neither do tests or essays.  Professors here will not quiz you to see if you've completed assigned readings or encourage you to come to every class by making attendance a portion of your final grade.  They do not expect every one of their students to pass the final exam at the end of the semester. 
This system puts the responsibility on the student...you really get out of the class what you put into it.  It has taken me a long time to acclimate but I think I've finally accepted it.  My entire academic life up until this year has been characterized by high expectations (set both externally and internally) and constant testing of acquired knowledge.  When it comes down to it, I prefer the American system, but I'm also happy to have a year of pressure-free learning.

I've started tutoring a 9 year old girl (Mercedes) and her 5 year old brother (Diego) in English. 
This past week Diego had a playdate, so my lesson plan was just for Mercedes.  I taught her winter and Thanksgiving-related vocabulary with pictures I drew of 8 words (Turkey, Gloves, Scarf, Coat, Leaves, Pie, Pumpkin, Fireplace) on sheets of paper.  Once she seemed to know more or less all of them, I spread the drawings out on the floor, pulled out my laptop, turned on the Elf soundtrack, and we danced around the pictures.  We took turns yelling out the new words and then both had to jump over to that picture and step on it.  It was ridiculously fun and we both looked crazy dancing to Louis Prima's "Pennies from Heaven."  Mercedes's favorite word was "pie."

I've learned some interesting things about the education system in Spain since I've started tutoring Mercedes and Diego.  For instance:
1) Around 4th grade every child in Andalucía is given their own little laptop by the regional government.  This is one example of the many reasons why public schools in Spain are usually better than the private ones.  The government takes good care of the schools it runs and from elementary school all the way through university, public schools are not only the norm but also the more respected of the two options.  As there is really no competition for acceptance to private schools or universities in Spain, they are even said to attract less intelligent students who are simply willing to pay for good grades.
2) The quality of foreign language education here is not very good.  It is impressive that public schools begin teaching English to their students at such a young age.  But the lack of native speakers working as full time teachers translates to young generations of Spaniards who have a general understanding of the language but a very difficult time when it comes to pronunciation. 


Random fact:
"How I Met Your Mother" is oddly popular in Spain.  Last week I met a guy from New Jersey who is living and working here.  He told me that he usually tells Spaniards he is from New York because, in his experience, many don't know where New Jersey is.  But recently Spaniards have been questioning him when he fibs about his hometown:  "are you really from New York or are you just from New Jersey?"  When he asked some of these unexpectedly insightful Spaniards why they would ask him this, they informed him there was an episode of "How I Met Your Mother" mocking those who say they're from New York City when they're really from New Jersey and suburban New York.
oh, cultural exportation.