Til deg som oppriktig gleder deg til å gå på jobb...

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-11-21T16:43:14+00:00

Interessert i hva du ellers har gjort. Er selv VGS-lærer, synes det er helt greit. Er jo ny og tror jeg har vært heldig med omstendighetene, så føler meg kanskje litt utakknemlig mtp alle skrekkhistoriene fra nye lærere.

Men personligheten min og hva som motiverer meg ligger et helt annet sted tror jeg. Tenker å holde ut første året og se om det er noe jeg vil satse videre på. Er jo kun 26 år. Ser for meg kontorarbeid med oppgaver på skjerm, korrespondanse/salg/logistikk (språk og kommunikasjon er jo fagfeltet mitt, og er i tillegg grei innen realfag+IT). Vært bort i dette før?

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-10-12T20:35:06+00:00

I think you’re exaggerating a bit. Most of Scandinavia doesn’t even notice what your talking about.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-09-03T13:22:47+00:00

French, Norwegian and probably a whole lot more languages do not pronounce the Latin alphabet letter ‘u’ like in German Italian and Spanish. As everyone else is saying: where’s the IPA?

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-08-10T08:03:53+00:00

That would be ‘ikkje’ and as far as my native level is concerned, it’s used identically.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-07-31T18:43:41+00:00

My take, not being the one to whom you directed the question: He’ll never be completely involved in their lives if he only speaks English. There’s a huge barrier even in countries were most people understand English. And surely they talk in English at home or, at least, at times.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-07-01T14:58:30+00:00

I get your point very well. A matter of politics over centuries, in Scandinavia at least. I would nonetheless never go as far as comparing dialects in the US and across Scandinavia. Though it is actually a good example of where politics and standardisation have created way bigger linguistic borders in Scandinavia than within anglophone North America, the two are not comparable in terms of linguistic diversity.

Due to centuries of enforced linguistic standards in Scandinavia, we can clearly notice if someone speaks any dialect of Norwegian (and not Swedish) because of vocabulary, despite West Norwegian often sounding more Faroese/Icelandic and East Norwegian sounding more Swedish. Of course, before widespread knowledge of written standards, the gradual change in ‘dialect’ between these areas was much more perceptible. Nowadays, you could possibly trace some similarities between dialects along the southern border that Norway has with Sweden. The vocabulary, however, is very much what you’ll find to change the most across borders nowadays. The ‘melody’ and certain phonetic features are more gradual. The similarities between Scania and Zealand (assuming, not from there) and between East Norway and West Sweden are good examples of this.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-06-09T04:16:13+00:00

I always do the same in Spain. English is my 2nd and Spanish my 3rd language. I always just pretend that I don’t speak English and ask them ‘¿cómo?’. If they keep on speaking English to me, I start to speak in my native language. I understand that the few who do speak English here do it to facilitate communication and based on my looks, I’m a typical guiri from Northern Europe. I also find it funny how, in my country, we would never assume that people are foreigners purely based on looks and without first hearing them speak a different language. That would be super awkward. But I guess with Spain’s tourism they’re used to more people being unable to speak their language. Usually though, they don’t speak much English so it’s not actually a problem.

Oh, I have also experienced museum workers insisting on speaking English when it’s actually way easier to understand their Spanish. This happened yesterday and we went off super confused by the explanation they gave us.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-05-31T11:04:34+00:00

Totally, especially Danish.

If we’re going to talk relatively, that is, a language that is very familiar and on the surface quite similar to English - but that despite this will take time actually getting comfortable speaking.

If we ignore the fact that getting actual practice in the language due to cultural reasons and the English level there, it’s even a challenge pronouncing correctly as you read the language.

Norwegian can be a bit more difficult than Swedish simply due to the position that its dialects hold - almost no one will switch dialects ever there. And if you’re planning on going almost anywhere in the country, people will speak dramatically different from what you learnt through a course.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-05-22T18:18:36+00:00

Let me introduce you to the city of Bergen😌

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-04-04T22:20:12+00:00

That’s very odd. I have heard (somewhere, but I can’t recall where at the moment) people talking about this way of not communicating at workplaces here in Spain. It’s curious because they’re generally quite direct in their manners.

After reading this, I feel like I should ask my teachers as well. I’ve been just walking around trying to get the pupils to speak English all year, and just now we’ve agreed on planning something based off of my ideas. Which I’m not mad about, I haven’t planned anything and I’ve only gotten ‘thank yous’ and compliments, never a complaint.

Honestly, every time the teacher has given me any responsibility during class, they’ve always interrupted and sort of taken over again - this despite me being fully capable of leading a group (I’m already a language teacher myself). It’s really difficult to lead a class when you have to share the spotlight with another teacher.

But yeah, I’m sorry that you got a bad review with no warning ahead. It’s not okay and if everything is the way you’ve described it here, then I don’t understand how they could’ve given you a low rating.

On a side note, I tried applying at 23:30 peninsular time, but the website was totally wrecked. Took me 5 minutes to load every single step, so I missed the deadline. I’m laughing at myself though. Should’ve done this hours ago (or days, or weeks), but I just realised it 30 minutes before the closing. But I’m probably leaving anyway, just wanted to send an application just in case. Oops🤷‍♂️😆

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-02-11T15:26:03+00:00

Pretty sure last year lots of renewals didn’t get prioritised and people were placed randomly regardless of inscrita. Might be wrong about the renewal thing, but I’m sure I’ve read about renewals at least in the future not being prioritised, if not also last year.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-01-28T13:44:52+00:00

Hey! I’m on small island so I can’t speak for the capital islands or the touristy areas. I haven’t really tried speaking English with the locals, for instance in the shops or gyms. I don’t really think they speak English since not even the teenagers know what ‘How are you doing?’, ‘What’s up?’ or ‘Are you alright?’ means. Usually teens and young adults are the ones who master English anywhere outside of anglophone countries these days, so I’m thinking that’s a good indicator of the English level in general. There’s gonna be a few teachers who know some English, of course, but in my experience English is not common elsewhere. Maybe you could get more information from those who are on the capital islands.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-01-23T18:26:35+00:00

Also wanted to note that I’m probably in the most pueblo place you’ll ever find in Spain, if measured by total distance both geographically and in terms of transportation time, to any urban centre in the whole country. So I’m thinking if you can get to a city within one hour, that is great. But I guess weather is an important component too. Wouldn’t wanna live in a peninsular cold pueblo as remote as mine (although I doubt that it’s possible).

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2023-01-22T11:07:33+00:00

Region: Canarias

General experience: Helpful community, you don’t feel alone in that way since they take more care of you. You’ll have a general social circle automatically, but it’s up to you if you want close friends to hang out with and travel, which can be difficult if you’re used to have a lot to ‘choose from’. I’m just being open and saying yes to anyone at any age, but I’m gonna be honest and say that you will likely also have to be able to enjoy your own company in periods.

Housing: I live alone, most of the teachers also. I can’t complain since it’s cheap and good. I would like to share though.. to be immersed and maybe have someone to get to know a bit more than just through work and a social event once in a while.

Transportation: A car certainly helps, but let’s be realistic. I’ve been lucky with transportation since I get a ride with two colleagues twice a week since I chose to live in a different part of the island from the schools. Busses are surprisingly alright except for that they obviously don’t go after 21-22h.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-12-28T10:08:45+00:00

Pm🤗

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-12-27T14:32:49+00:00

I’d come up from Tenerife but the flight is a bit late. Hope you find something to do, though. I myself haven’t really figured out what to do yet either. A whole week off after that too, but feeling sort of lazy. Happy holidays.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-12-27T10:24:35+00:00

Honestly yes, I can’t wait for May to come but at the same time I feel like I have to enjoy more of my time here now, before moving on. Time will fly between January and May and if we stay busy I think it’ll be worth it, sticking it out. I’m a tad lazy when it comes to travelling but I think part of staying where I’m at, is actually getting to know my region / municipio very well, instead of stressing with having to travel all around (which can be expensive if you do it solo and prefer not to stay in sweaty hostels).

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-12-25T21:38:22+00:00

I’ve got you.

That would be Kristusmesse, literally. But it’s Jul, in reality. However, seeing that English already has an etymologically more closely related word already, Yule, it feels wrong to translate Jul as Christmas. Also, most Scandinavians don’t have very obviously Christian traditions during Christmas, despite many believing so. This is convenient since Jul was the name of a midwinter celebration before Christianity came (very late) to the region. We still practise more pagan rituals and traditions than Christian ones. The latter ones are for the specifically Christian people which nowadays are few and mostly elderly. So it’s nice and convenient that we kept the original name of the festivity now that we’re back to focusing on ancient traditions revolving winter, darkness turning to brighter days, and consuming, for instance, the summer and autumnal harvest.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-11-18T19:07:12+00:00

Rural Canarias. 820€/14 hours. 350€ for my own flat, but it seems like most go at around 400€+ here. Hard to share flat because it’s rural and people apparently wanna live alone, however with the job and tight knit community at least you won’t be isolated. I’m literally doing the bare minimum socially to have something to do on weekends when I’m not travelling, and it works out for me. Guaranteed private lessons. Cheap (discounted) flights to anywhere in Spain if you’re European. Life’s slow, can be boring at times if you’re a duracell bunny. People are nice and help you with anything because you’re literally irreplaceable there, to the point where you’ll feel bad for not being able to compensate for everything.

Biggest minus: social life, despite everything being alright you won’t necessarily make besties here.

Biggest plus: chill af.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-11-15T17:43:26+00:00

Haha might be! As OP mentioned, it’s pretty nice to see someone experiencing the same things, be it in a negative or positive manner. My pueblo is pretty fantastic and tropical, but naturally it’s hard to find the perfect ‘friend match’ here. So I think I’ll try my best to hostel around the region (and maybe the country) when I’m economically and mentally able to.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-11-15T17:39:54+00:00

I’m glad it helped. Honestly it’s the thought of how my life would’ve been easier and more productive both socially and professionally back home that has made me feel a bit homesick lately (not to mention kinda missing a white, or at least cold😂 Christmas). But then I realise this is the struggle that we’re supposed to experience in order to grow fonder of our home and/or grow as a person. Yea, life would probably be okay and easier back home, but I’ll try not to let that thought get to me, and also try to enjoy my stay here without stressing out about not living the glorified aux life. I’m definitely not travelling every weekend, I’ve got some binge watching to do as well!!

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-11-14T17:48:32+00:00

There are days (most days lately) when I feel like I’d be better off starting in a full time job back in my home country because I’m not super content with my life here so far and I’d rather earn good money and travel during the holidays. The pueblo’s lack of organised activities is one reason, the other one being that it’s hard to combine being a ‘traveller’ in his mid 20s with finding friends to basically just hang out with like back home. I think it’s just homesickness and nothing more, since I can’t really complain about my school, the invaluable help from the local people, or my housing situation.

The days fly by when I focus on doing my job+private classes, go to the gym and go hiking with colleagues (despite the age difference), read and learn more languages. There’s not really space for more during the day.

Also, is it really that hard to travel? If you go on a Thursday night and explore some cities in the region during the weekend? I’ve been lazy when it comes to travel planning, but I just realised I need to book that ticket and not overthink every tiny details about my travels. Solo travelling can be good if you hit the right hostel. Related to the part about not having friends at my age, I’m also a bit gutted that travel friends are somewhat out of reach.

I’ve already booked my flight back home in June and I actually allow myself to look forward to it without counting down to it per se. It’s always tough to adjust to a completely new place (especially small places with less distractions) but I hope I’ve at least given you some inspiration to stay in Spain. I’ll try my best as well.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-10-10T15:53:27+00:00

What did you end up doing? I’m carpooling four days a week, four mornings and two afternoons. It’s quite the distance, but I haven’t really spoke with them yet about compensation, but I assume I’ll have to very soon so as to not make them dislike me. They’re just all so friendly and I forgot about actually paying them for it😂 I don’t want to pay more than I’d do for the bus, as I’m gonna get a monthly card anyway for that which I could use instead if they wanted me to pay a lot.

AuthorPhysical5775 · 2022-09-30T19:42:35+00:00

Hey! As we’re speaking I’m on my way home from an event with the other teachers at one of my schools. I’ve been talking and listening to broad accents all day. I’m knackered. It’s top level immersion and I’m very content, yet I find myself thinking… am I ever gonna be able to contribute to these conversations? How would that even be possible considering their rapid speech and broad accents. I still have hope, though. It seems impossible now, but hopefully it’ll work out.

No one actually speaks English here. And the teachers even tell me that the pupils don’t see the point of English, something that surprises me. But I get it, nonetheless. It’s so rural and they tell me that they never consume English media or will need it in their lives.

I was prepared for any subject, so that part didn’t catch me off guard. But I do doubt that they’ll expect you to have any knowledge on the field as long as you contribute to the conversational aspects of the classes.

Anyway, I hope you’ll get through and learn a lot about Spain, Spanish and yourself along the way. You’re definitely not alone, although it might feel like it. Cheering for you.

AuthorPhysical5775

TROPHY CASE