Ben Teaching English Class to Standard Five

This was my first day of teaching at Irigithathi Primary School! I had a really good time, and so did Emily. The staff was as generous and helpful as ever, and the kids were a joy. I stepped in for 5th grade English and Science, and Emily took care of P.E. and Creative Arts.

First day teaching at Irigithathi Primary School!

Most of the students were very shy and quiet from the beginning but opened right up after a few question and answer sessions about my and their lives. I noticed that a good ice breaker was to ask each student how old they were, one by one. I had to point and directly ask the first student, but after that the rest of the class was clamoring to answer next, raising their hands and snapping their fingers. After that it was each students’ names one by one, until finally they were all pliable enough to answer questions from the textbook without too much prodding. There was a noticeable dip in participation after lunch however, and I chalked it up to the students being tired after eating and running around outside. Thinking back to elementary, middle, and high school I can completely understand how teachers may have felt trying to corral a class directly after lunch! Still, it was a good day of teaching, and I still can’t really believe I’m here doing it.

Standard Four Students During P.E. Class

On the way home most of the 4th and 5th grade classes followed Emily and I on the dirt road back to Batian’s View. Emily and I were trying to make a sneaky getaway when school let out just before we left the gates, and all the kids came swarming around us. This gave all the children a chance to try their English out on us and to ask us anything they may have been curious about, but didn’t have a chance to during the school day. Their command of English as a second or third language at such a young age is impressive, and they buzzed around us both speaking Kikuyu and Swahili, as well. I had a feeling that a lot of the students walked a good deal farther than their normal routes home, just so they could stay with the group and be entertained by us weird-looking Americans. It was all very charming, and I’ll be glad to go back this Friday after our safari.