Just under 2 weeks later, on Tuesday 11th March, I was teaching a seminar group when the school director gave a notice that there would be a meeting for all teachers in the next break...but by then, my students were alerting me to social media notifications that schools would be closing in the Olomouc area from the next day - the 12th! And that was the last time I saw my students, face-to-face π
Having hoped that the virus was not such a threat, suddenly, even if it didn't seem to be a direct threat on my health - it was affecting schools (& other aspects of my life, which I'll deal with in another post). At the time, I think most of my colleagues were under the impression that this would all soon blow over - even some student genuinely believed that after 2-3 weeks of a nice holiday, we'd all be back to normal - but that was not the case.
I had been preparing students for their graduation exams, and also working with some groups of students who would be doing those exams next year. I still had marks to close, and being as I'm more of a conversational teacher (rather than the classical type), I quickly came to the conclusion that something needed to change. I had to find a way of connecting with my students.
By Friday 13th (no, I'm not superstitious! π) I was already doing talks with graduation students on Facebook. During the following week, I closed my 3rd marks (also doing some essays) & for the next 2 weeks after that I spoke with every one of my students (100+). I'm not saying this to boast - not only was I 'doing my job', but I was trying to do it in a meaningful way, but I was also genuinely interested in how the students were reacting to this situation. After that, then I had 2 weeks working with the students who would graduate the next year. I worked from school & from home - I tended to discuss it with my wife & I decided on the needs of driving & practicality etc. Room 112 became MY office! π To begin with, everyone in the building wore masks, but as restrictions have lifted, so have the masks...
Some observations: even after a month, it became clear that there were roughly 3 groups of students - two extremes & one big chunk in the middle. One extreme was the extroverts: this was a killer for them - being confined to home, not being able to see friends, no socialising (all pubs, cafes, restaurants, sports, cinemas - all outside entertainment closed!) - struggling to keep motivated, they were suffering. This hit the relationship types really hard. The other extreme was the introverts: living the dream in their bubble - masters of their own universe - organising their time - this was their moment! In the middle was everyone else, who (on the whole) seemed to be fairly stable & would have days when they missed friends, and days when they could quite happily focus & do what they needed to do.
I didn't come across many 'flakaters' (slackers/time wasters) - though there were some - idling their days away on computer games, but it was a way of staying in touch with their friends π. However, I did meet quite a few students who were actually using the time to learn something new, or to resurrect an old interest or hobby. Some became addicted to Netflix & perhaps overdosed on it... Some became nocturnal & changed their sleeping/eating habits. I was also aware of some who were fighting with depression & loneliness π.
I also did a short video, then branched out into podcasts, as a way of trying to encourage & motivate my students, which I think it did, judging by some feedback. I had to get out my comfort zone. It was noticeable to me that language teachers were the main ones to take up internet forums/chat to relate with their students - not exclusively, but mostly. The important of language & communication, I guess. But many students appreciated what teaching really is about & even missed school! π― I never thought I'd hear such things!
For a long time, it looked uncertain as to if our students would even do their graduation exams - the government seemed to be divided & pussy-footed around a bit, but in the end, from next Monday, there will be some didactic exams, and then from the 15th June, all classes will (hopefully) graduate in their oral exams. I have been quite confident that they would happen, but if I'm honest, I 'd hoped we could have done them sooner...but better late than never π.
It will be odd this year, during the exams. Thankfully, we won't have to wear masks! (I will be glad to see the back of them!) However, as it stands, there won't be an opening/closing ceremony (for each class), and not all teachers will be able to congratulate the students when the results are announced π, and certainly there won't be any hand-shaking, hugging etc - though I think students will do pretty much what they want to do! In fact, I'm not even sure if I'll be able to do my day-by-day reports via FB, which has become a tradition...we shall see.
This has been a unique time for everyone, for teachers & students alike, and no doubt for parents of these students.
I'm confident that we have great students who have acquitted themselves very well, in view of the circumstances. I'm not sure we could have prepared them for this, but I hope we have all learnt something from it.
It seems to me that we could change the way we do things, as teachers - this is a theme to be explored another time, perhaps?
I have dearly missed the interaction with my students - at over 60 years of age, I really value their energy & skill in the English language - their wit, humour & willingness to stretch themselves in what is their 2nd language. I'm glad for at least some contact through social media (I also used Zoom & Skype too), but nothing will replace real, live teaching.
As for my lifestyle...well, that will be the theme of the next post π
