I saw these classes back to back so my notes are blended. There wasn’t much difference between these two classes. I have found that gr.11 students are old enough to continue in a normal manner, and the younger students are still used to obeying their teachers. Gr.8 and 9, not so much. Understandable, all things considered.

A foreigner in the class is a difficult thing for these younger secondary students to accept. It seems to be quite hilarious for them. Math was a great example of excited students. They were pretty good during their teacher’s lesson, which implemented the chalk board, a technology that is wonderfully implemented. Teachers here are wizards on the chalkboards. It’s like watching a painter. Their letters are cursive, clear, and perfectly perpendicular.

Classes in secondary level are meant to be taught in English, and I was surprised that for the most part they have been. I think that I hear a bit more English for my benefit, but students at the secondary level are proficient at writing and reading English (no doubt du to their devoted note taking skills). Speaking English is another thing, but I am impressed with students’ willingness to communicate in English.

In each of my observations I am seated in the back of the class (usually displacing one poor student). This does not seem to stop students from being able to stare at the Faranji (a word that all white foreigners know too well). I have been extremely thankful for those teachers that welcome me into their class, because they know the students will be too rambunctious to actually stay on task (again this is mostly for the gr 8/9 classes I have observed).