Yesterday I met up with both my CPs and my TP, and probably a few of your partners to play soccer at the old I.M. fields. It is easy for us in America to overlook and underestimate the prevalence of soccer in the rest of the world, being so fixated on our own homegrown sports; it is a dialect that people from every race and part of the world can speak. Fortunately I have played before, so I was not a sitting duck.
We broke up into teams and played a fairly sloppy game. English was barely used, as there were a majority of Arabs and a sprinkling of West Africans (they seemed to be the strongest players). Though minimal, the conversation with my own partners was very informal ('Hey man, hows it goin?' and 'What did you end up doing last night?'). It was good to interact with them in a casual, uninterview-like manner, and I am starting to sense that they are relaxing more around me, which is good. Everyone knows it is harder to speak in another language when one is uncomfortable. Yet again, one cannot truly grow if they remain forever in their comfort zone. Surrounded by their classmates that speak their language and playing a game they've played since childhood, my partners were most certainly in their comfort zone. I have planned a trip to explore some sinkholes and am sure my partners will join; this time the script will be flipped-they will be surrounded by my friends and forced to speak our language.
I think that one of my tutees was playing with you all too. I actually picked him up from the field. Rock on with the soccer. I am trying to convince my conversation partner to pick up an ultimate frisbee. I'll let you know how that goes.
ReplyDeleteDhugal, I think the soccer field is perhaps on of the best ways to bond with many of our male students. It does lend itself to more casual and relaxed interaction, and builds camaraderie. Look forward to reading what happens on your sink hole expedition!
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