Our second round of English classes.

We have begun our next round of English lessons and have just completed the second week. After the three information and registration sessions we had thirty-six on our books! Since then we have gathered another eight names, they just keep coming along. After last night we won two more, both friends of girls who are already attending. One piece of good fortune is that all of the original names have not appeared, not sure if it is the parish fee of S/-10.00 or is it because they were overcome with the initial presentation of how we go about the classes? Lots and lots of involvement on their part.
For the first week we averaged twenty-seven students. We have very few adults, the class mainly consists of young girls from the secondary schools. We have even moved to a bigger room in order to cater for the numbers.
Our ten stalwarts from the first round of lessons are faithfully coming to our house every Monday evening for guided conversation, coffee and sometimes a light meal. Marion and I strongly believe that the latter is the greatest attraction of the three! We have learnt not to mention the week before that we may have a meal but rather surprise them. You must remember that most of the group have been working all day and have not yet eaten an evening meal. They are on their buses for work by 6.00-6.30 a.m. and come straight to our place on the way home. The more relaxed atmosphere has really boosted their confidence and they are becoming more and more prepared to speak up. Pilar announced that at first she ‘feared to speak English’ however she now has very few concerns in ‘having a go’.