This afternoon was the long awaited presentation for this
English class who were “so excited to see us” and “couldn’t await our arrival.”
Whilst I don’t believe any child is excited to have a power point presentation
read to them, let alone 4, I emraced the enthusiasm of the teacher I was
speaking with on в контакте.
To start off with, we had a major mare getting to the
school. I didn’t actually know the name of it, but had just seen it on the map
she sent me and I’d passed a musical school on the bus so just assumed that was
it. However when we entered that school with all the swagger we could muster
(because I was so sure it was the right one), we were greeted by 2 cleaners
having a bit of a natter by the cloackroom. They had never heard of the lady I was
looking for and sent us to the next school along with directions to the other 4
specialist-music schools within a mile radius.
We had rather more luck there, but only in the sense that I’m
sure I could have secured myself a full-time job if we’d stayed a little longer.
I said the name of the lady to the guy at the front and he gave me a knowing
look and led us to a little room where we sat whilst a lady talked on the phone
to someone about “the foreigners.” Eventually a cute little old lady came in
and started speaking English. She thought we wanted to “do some lessons with
the children.” Which we did. Just not these children. And not for you. And so
after profusely apologising we moved on to a further 2 schools where we had the
same amount of luck.
Despondently we headed back, wanting to try our luck at one
art school right next to the 1st school we’d tried. We slowly
entered the premises seeing people exiting the building and wondering if they
looked disappointed by having some students from the UK not turn up to speak to
them. They didn’t. I turned my attention to searching for a lady frantic for
some English kids 40 minutes late. Then the idea popped up that we try and look
as frazzled as possible so that if this was the right school we’d get some
pitty at least. I was first into the building, closely followed by Robin,
Maddie and then Olivia. Some little blonde girl in a white shirt and waistcoat
looking preppy as anything was standing a meter from the entrance. She took one
look, and she knew. She said “hello” in her cute little Russki accent and
started walking up the stairs. Taking this as our cue to follow, we did indeed
follow her. Potentially a bad idea seeing as the last time we followed someone
unknowingly we’d almost been given jobs we didn’t want.
She walked into a hall and disappeared. Whilst I looked
around for the teacher I’d been speaking with the room burst into applause. Of
course that meant I had to do a little strut down the catwalk, I mean middle of
the chairs, waving as I went, greeted with a hug by Alexandra. She didn’t even
mind that we were late and directed us to what looked like judges chairs. Very
X-Factor-esque. Present were 4 bottles of water, some paper and some pens.
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| Managed to avoid disaster when I realised it was fizzy by not opening it fully |
We were treated to a mini concert of Let It Be and Hallelujah
and then it was time for us to perform and then have a quick Q&A. Some of
them were really well prepared for us. One girl had a speech about Valentines
Day and the history of it and some questions to us about the traditions so I
did a cheeky roses are red poem. Like getting blood from a stone trying to get
them to smile when they clearly had no idea what we were saying some of the
time. Olivia did her presentation on food and showed them a traditional English breakfast, as in complete fry-up. Horror doesn't begin to describe their faces when they realise we don't eat porridge every day. Although to be fair we don't really eat fry-ups every day, but they're definitely gonna think we have an obesity problem after that. They were guessing what the food was by the picture, before the words came up and Alexandra guessed bangers and mash to be beans............ Nuf said.
However at the end they flocked round us asking us to write
our names for them to add us on в контакте and Facebook. It was like signing
autographs when you’re a pop-star, except for we were writing our names really
neatly so they were legible. Then we were ushered outside by a group of
giggling 15 years olds asking me why I enjoy horror films to take photos and
given a thank you present of a calendar.
Cute day, cute kids and it’s a great confidence boost how
much they appreciate your English speaking skills. Swear I never get that at
home.
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| Maddy talking about music. |
Excellent as usual!
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