Sooo blogging about my life in Kalajoki....well, before that I think I need to introduce myself first! My name is Magdalena but everyone calls me "Magda" or "Manioula" (little Magda in Greek). Oh yes! I am Greek! So, for me (...and I hope for you) everything here is completely new! I feel like an explorer... or just clueless! I have studied English language and linguistics in Athens and then I did my master in inclusive and special education in Edinburgh. It is the second time that I am in Finland but during the first time I was a university student, so now it is completely different situation. I am working on something that I really love (education) in the best country that provides it ( Finland!). High standards, high expectations!!!
I am in Kalajoki now for almost a month and I have to admit that I am still in my "honeymoon period" with the place. I have to show you why....
I am in Kalajoki now for almost a month and I have to admit that I am still in my "honeymoon period" with the place. I have to show you why....
These are my first photos from Kalajoki and trust me won't be the last! I am from Athens and I have never lived close to nature... so, for me it is really valuable being here!
This is another one from a day that I called "mystical day"! It looks like a fairytale!!!! ( I am a visual person so please bear with me... and as we know "a picture is worth ten thousand words") Apart from the nature that I can't stop admire and I can go on and on what really fascinates me is my JOB!
I am not saying this because it is my job... Well, I am actually saying this because it is my job and the reason is that I love doing all this new, progressive activities that are introduced in this school! Let me give you an example (and again a photo):
This is an afternoon activity that the students did with their teachers in the forest!!!! I sound really excited but you have to understand where I come from.. This wouldn't happen in Greece even in 100 years (I hope things get better but.. )
Oh! and they use computers and tablets for educational reasons! Technology is not the enemy ( as I have seen so many teachers to discuss off the record) but it is a tool to bring closer places and ideas to the students! Students are going around countries in educational projects (Latvia, Sweden, Japan etc.). This is a revolution!!!
However, I still have not told you what I am doing to this amazing place ( I have really embraced my Alice in Wonderland persona)
I am a teacher assistant and I also participate in the "International Studies" classes. I am mostly in the English and sometimes in the special ed classes. Let me write a little bit more about the "I.S." classes because they are the living example of all the things that I have learnt in a theoretical level during my studies, so:
1. English is the medium, not the purpose
(and I am putting this 1st because as an English teacher I know that this is a hot-debated issue)
2. learning by doing ( I rest my case...)
3. Learner's autonomy
(they will choose how they are going to do whatever they have to prepare)
4. Connecting life (and real life incidents) with the class
(yesterday we discussed about the Nobel Prize Peace winner Malala Yousafzai)
And now is the time to tell me if I need to change my name from "Magda" to "Alice"!
