The Ghanian Learning Experience

To our readers who are teachers, or aspiring to be one someday:  if we hear you complain about classroom management EVER again, you won't hear the end of it.

Last week being mainly for introductions and preparation, the real teaching at University Basic Schools did not begin until today.  Kaylee and I followed our respective mentor teachers around and watched them actually teach for the first time.  And WOW:  our ears were ringing by the end of the day.  It's not that the kids are purposefully obnoxious or mischievous.  Most of it is undoubtedly part of the culture here.  But to say that kids are vocal during the lesson would be a grand understatement.

Lessons are strictly lecture based, and the teacher often solicits questions to the class during the lecture.  Though only one or two students contribute answers to what the teacher is asking, the entire class is erupting in concurrence, or shouting "yes!" or "no!" during the entire lesson.  Of course there is also idle chatter going on, and the teacher must "shush" the class about every twenty seconds.  Suffice to say, I was exhausted by the end of the first 70 minute period, and I still had one more to go before tea.

Ah, tea.  The word brings pictures of tranquility to mind.  And I completely understand why they have it.  Of course we Americans have our nifty little Starbucks Singles in hand as we "take our tea," but it's still nice to have that break in the morning to grab a snack and a pick-me-up.  We were a British colony once.  Why did our culture stop "taking tea?"

The Harmattan is beginning to come to a close, so the dust is starting to settle.  From our house in West Legon, we can finally see the University clock tower high upon the hill, as well as other distant parts of the city.  We haven't seen blue sky or pure sunlight since we got here, and we're very excited for it.  On the other hand, this "cool" weather is probably a necessary transition from the frozen tundra / icy barren wasteland we came from.  (Sorry readers, but I know you can't feel your toes right now.  Be honest.)

Again, we could not do this without all the love and support you are sending our way.  Thanks for everything you do.  Write back and stay in touch!

Much love,


The Freemans