A Demand for English

In Jordan there is a high demand for English.  If someone wants to have a good job, they have to speak English.  If they want to have a job that entails traveling, then they need to know English.  If they want to get their master's degree, even if they're studying in the Middle East, many colleges require that they know English.  If they don't know english, it usually means that they will stay in one place working a moderate job for the rest of their lives.  Therefore, everyone that I meet wants to learn from me.  Of course, when learning a language, you want to talk to a native speakers because they know all the rules.  This makes me even more valuable as compared to my polish friends who know English, but don't know it as a first language.  Just as well, I have found that people prefer to study English with someone who is of an Arab decent, because they feel that they are getting cheated by learning English from an Arab.  All of this has set me in a high demand here in Amman.

Books for all my different English classes...

When I first got here I signed up for a language partner, since then, I have had three people contact me, wanting to meet with me everyday to learn English.  I started teaching English at an academy, and my students have been asking me if we could have more time in class, if we can meet up after class, and what I can do to help them learn English.  Honestly, 3 hours in class a week is not enough to learn a language.  I know that and that's why I'm here, but I have found such a demand on my time to teach people English, that it feels like a challenge to be able to have time just to study Arabic.  I try to express to my employer my concerns for my students, but they just tell me that the students signed up for the class, so just teach your class and don't worry about it.  My students are at so many different levels it's hard to teach them.  How can I teach them if one student will learn more by me speaking faster and with larger words, while others don't understand me even if I'm speaking slow.  I want them all to learn, but I feel like I just can't teach everyone.  I can't poor out all of myself.  Then, when I get together to actually work on Arabic, I'm exhausted and my brain just wants to rest.

I feel horrible because I want to tell my students or my language partners that they should just go to a language institute in the States.  There they will have the time in class that they need.  I know for me, I know having Arabic 1.5-3 hours a day has been wonderful!  I can study outside of class and have the constant review in class, plus I'm not too busy where I feel overwhelmed, so I just simply learn.  It's amazing and one of the best ways to learn.  At a language institute, the people there are getting paid to spend time with you to teach you.  The time is set aside to teach you where you can actually learn.  I just feel horrible, because I want to help my students and I want them to learn.  I want them to have all the opportunities that they can possibly get, but I also need balance.

I just pray for balance and guidance.