Leslie and I spent all weekend studying our “pre-course” material, which consists of a heavy dose or review of English grammar and teaching methodology.  We experimented with another combination of 3 Metro (subway) lines trying to find a way to escape the crushing crowds of rush hour.  It wasn’t a bad trip at all – until we found out Monday was a national holiday!

There are 8 others in our new teaching class.  As each of us trickled into the lobby/reception area of the school, it was fun introducing ourselves around, finding out where everyone is from, did they just come to Mexico (like us), etc.  Four of us are from California, one from Maine (formerly, now living in Mexico City), one from Ireland and the rest live here.  I really like our group – I think there will be a good dynamic.

From when we all got settled into our new classroom until we finished around 6:30 pm, there was no let-up.  There was no “lunch break” as such.  In essence, we covered what we’d be doing for the next 4 weeks and how and what we needed for teaching tomorrow (today actually!).  We finished our “orientation” as it were around 2:15 and had to be back before 3 to observe our tutors teaching real students.

Around 6:45 (maybe a bit later?) we took the bus home – vice subway – and it wasn’t too crowded; found a Domino’s Pizza a couple blocks from the Casa, then – while waiting for the pizza to cook (to go), started planning for teaching our first class.  We got back to the Casa around 8 pm, had our pizza in the guest lounge/dining area then worked until after 1 am this morning.  Leslie was up working until 2.  I was awake and up at 5:45 this morning – and turned off the alarm clock!

We both teach our first class (a total of 8) this afternoon.  It’s only a 25 minute “baby step” class for most of us, but all the work is in the planning – not the teaching!  So – what took me so long?  Here’s my “TP 1” (pdf)!

It’s 7 am and we’re off to the races for day 2!  We’re going to try the crushing MetroBus this morning…