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I'm a pretty flexible person for the most part -- some of that flexibility is innate, and some of it is learned as a result of living in another culture that values time in a different way than Americans are used to doing. During our time in Pakistan, we really came to understand that South Asians value looser schedules than we do, that time is less tangible, less linear, and always susceptible to last-minute change. For the most part, that's actually a pretty calming way to live, if one can get the hang of not looking at one's watch or not caring what it says!
It's something we keep running up against here in Chicago, working in the South Asian community. As a teacher of English here, I have had to go into each situation prepared for my student to not show up -- or to show up at a different time than the set time. It can be frustrating at times, but it's usually not so hard to stay flexible.
However, I have recently discovered that my flexibility needs a bit of work! It's been stretched to the limit of late.
One of my new responsibilities at the Center where we work is as the director of ESL -- making sure people in the community who want to learn English or study for the citizenship exam are matched with tutors who are volunteering their time to teach. There is a certain amount of leeway in these arrangements, because we all know that "South Asian time" is going to be an issue. But I've never seen it as bad as this before! Perhaps it's just the sheer numbers of people not coming when they are expected that is testing my patience, rather than me being inflexible, but I must admit, even understanding that it is so, and why it is this way, I'm still having a hard time not throwing a hissy fit!
This week in particular I have not seen one scheduled ESL student show up to study with the teachers awaiting them -- including two of my own students yesterday. Except for one woman today, who came three hours early and was told her teacher wouldn't be here until later. After a cup of chai and some talk, she left, saying she would be back later. But no...
Last week was almost as bad! For myself, I can manage it, and I'm used to it to a certain extent. But when it affects others for whom I'm responsible and who don't understand the culture as well, it's another matter. Some of the volunteers come from a long way away just to help out with teaching, and some of them are students themselves doing this volunteering as part of an internship, so it's important that their students come and come on time. Instead, we are all getting a taste of "South Asian time" and how it affects the finely crafted schedule.
So I'm pretty frustrated at the moment, and I have the headache to prove it! Thankfully, I do realize that it's been this way for every ESL director that's ever had the job in this neighborhood, so I know it's not just me making a hash of it. And I know it will work out eventually -- and the volunteers are certainly getting an accurate feel for it as they learn about another culture. And I have lovely coworkers who hug me and say "there, there" -- and that's comforting, even if it doesn't help people come in on time for their lessons!
:-)
/cross complaining about culture
Speaking of ESL, this weekend I'm attending the first of three two-day workshops in teaching English as a Second Language. I'm going to turn it into an adventure and take the bus/subway/train all the way to the suburbs to attend the course. I set out tomorrow afternoon, with the first class session set for Friday evening. I will spend the night, since classes begin again early on Saturday and go all day. I'm looking forward to it muchly, even though it's been a very long time since I sat in a classroom! But it will be fun. Not only am I looking forward to the train ride, I'm keen on learning more about this subject -- and not even my frustration with students with South Asian watches can dampen that, lol!
It's something we keep running up against here in Chicago, working in the South Asian community. As a teacher of English here, I have had to go into each situation prepared for my student to not show up -- or to show up at a different time than the set time. It can be frustrating at times, but it's usually not so hard to stay flexible.
However, I have recently discovered that my flexibility needs a bit of work! It's been stretched to the limit of late.
One of my new responsibilities at the Center where we work is as the director of ESL -- making sure people in the community who want to learn English or study for the citizenship exam are matched with tutors who are volunteering their time to teach. There is a certain amount of leeway in these arrangements, because we all know that "South Asian time" is going to be an issue. But I've never seen it as bad as this before! Perhaps it's just the sheer numbers of people not coming when they are expected that is testing my patience, rather than me being inflexible, but I must admit, even understanding that it is so, and why it is this way, I'm still having a hard time not throwing a hissy fit!
This week in particular I have not seen one scheduled ESL student show up to study with the teachers awaiting them -- including two of my own students yesterday. Except for one woman today, who came three hours early and was told her teacher wouldn't be here until later. After a cup of chai and some talk, she left, saying she would be back later. But no...
Last week was almost as bad! For myself, I can manage it, and I'm used to it to a certain extent. But when it affects others for whom I'm responsible and who don't understand the culture as well, it's another matter. Some of the volunteers come from a long way away just to help out with teaching, and some of them are students themselves doing this volunteering as part of an internship, so it's important that their students come and come on time. Instead, we are all getting a taste of "South Asian time" and how it affects the finely crafted schedule.
So I'm pretty frustrated at the moment, and I have the headache to prove it! Thankfully, I do realize that it's been this way for every ESL director that's ever had the job in this neighborhood, so I know it's not just me making a hash of it. And I know it will work out eventually -- and the volunteers are certainly getting an accurate feel for it as they learn about another culture. And I have lovely coworkers who hug me and say "there, there" -- and that's comforting, even if it doesn't help people come in on time for their lessons!
:-)
/cross complaining about culture
Speaking of ESL, this weekend I'm attending the first of three two-day workshops in teaching English as a Second Language. I'm going to turn it into an adventure and take the bus/subway/train all the way to the suburbs to attend the course. I set out tomorrow afternoon, with the first class session set for Friday evening. I will spend the night, since classes begin again early on Saturday and go all day. I'm looking forward to it muchly, even though it's been a very long time since I sat in a classroom! But it will be fun. Not only am I looking forward to the train ride, I'm keen on learning more about this subject -- and not even my frustration with students with South Asian watches can dampen that, lol!
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no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 01:36 am (UTC)From:I wonder if it would be better just to have the teachers keep office hours and teach on a first-come, first served basis. That would be less frustrating for the teachers, and I suspect that the serious students would make a point of being there at that time.
Edit: A friend who used to teach ESL says that she found that if the lessons were free, your time was priced accordingly. If there was a charge (even a nominal charge), the students showed up.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 02:51 pm (UTC)From:I suspect that it is the responsibility of creating the pairings that has you most frustrated. Not only are you feeling the frustration when it happens to you and your schedule, but you have to feel it for every single person you scheduled - plus you carry a feeling of responsibility for something you have no control over. The teachers have been warned about this cultural difference and it is up to them to come to terms with it. You don't have to do that for them.
Have a wonderful time at your class this weekend! I look forward to hearing about it! *hugs!*
no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 04:34 pm (UTC)From:Use the early part of the meeting for review so the main topic can start later.
NEVER count on anyone to do as they say and take away the stumbling blocks. Home visits are better then meetings. If one teacher has one or two students to tutor have the teacher go to the home. It works better for me that way. A phone call before as a reminder is a MUST. Every Saturday night I would make my calls and then a wake up call on Sunday BEFORE I drove out to pick up folks.
Now I am raiseing the level of my prayers for you and those you work with, and for.
I am so proud of you.
Keep Marching!
Close Ranks!
PS
How many do you care for?
no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 09:15 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2009-10-07 12:33 am (UTC)From:Speaking of other cultures, I want to go the Christkinkdl Markt in Chicago someday. Since you live there is this near you? If you go can you let me know how it is? We're thinking of driving back there some year just for this, so please let me know. It would be so cool if we could meet up!
http://www.christkindlmarket.com/about.html
no subject
Date: 2009-10-08 01:16 pm (UTC)From:In a way, the ability to not care about time would be wonderful, but without that structure, I don't know how well our particular society would function.
I hope some sort of time compromise can be worked out for you soon. :D