My first English as a Second Classes were today.  I know without a doubt that this is the right internship for me.  I accidentally missed my first class because I went to a English class taught at 9 am on Mondays by Maria Laura.  It just wasn’t the right Maria Laura.  I realized that I wasn’t in the right class, but I just stuck it out and emailed the real Maria Laura and explained the mixup.  She’s okay with it.  The thing that made me laugh about this class is that the “fake” Maria Laura reminded me that Argentines learn British English with the explanation of the word practice.  She informed her class that only when it is spelled with an “s” is it a verb.  Practise does not exist in US English.  

The next class was taught by William.  We started the class with everyone going around and asking me a question.  They were the basics like, where are you from, how old are you, why come to Buenos Aires.  I was happy to answer the questions, but was itching to be more involved with the lesson.  Especially when the the phrasing of expressions got a little weird.  To a non-native speaker, it probably sounded correct, but they were saying some things that I would never piece together on my own, but would understand the meaning if someone say it to me.  Next week, I am to have a presentation on simple past and perfect present tenses.  What the heck is that??  

The last class was definitely my favorite.  Vanesa, the teacher, really talked up my visit.  Some students stayed from her previous class just to meet me.  We spent 45 minutes with me in the front of the class answering their questions ranging from everything to the basics to the health care system in the US, housing at a university, and where I want to travel in Argentina.  I was so thirsty at the end of it, I could barely talk.   

Next, I reviewed homework with a small group of really shy people.  Wanting to be gentle, I asked each person to participate and turned each question I received around because I wanted to know their answers.  They were very hesitant, but many in another week or 2, they will know not to fear me.  

After class, I was escorted down the street by Vanesa.  As soon as we exited the doors of the school, she switched our conversation to Spanish.  It took me a whole block to figure out what her simple question was.  Stumbling through my answer and switching from the past to present tense without fear of being reprimanded, I was just happy that we parted before we got to question 2.  Spanish is draining.  

One of my favorite characters was a guy who stayed for a half hour past his class just to meet me.  He was excited with plenty of questions and funny comments.  On he way out the door, he looked at me from across the room and said, “milanesa!”  I was totally confused.  Why would he say milanesa to me as he was walking out?  I’m still not really sure.  Was he giving me my Spanish word of the day?  Asking me if I like milanesa?  What the heck?  

It’s Monday, which means my family eats milanesa for dinner.  Coincidence?  Who knows.  

Location: Buenos AIres, Argentina