Teaching English in Paris

I am currently teaching a few English lessons in Paris each week in order to make some extra cash and to gain some experience in teaching English as a foreign language.  So far, it has gone really well and has been interesting to say the least.

After I posted ads on the internet, the response was overwhelming!  I had no idea that so many people out there were looking to learn English especially since most people learn English in school here.

So I had my first English lesson which was a disaster.  Our plan was to meet at Ivry sur Seine at 8pm and to find a cafe where we could do the lesson.  First, I went to Issy val de Seine, a metro stop on the completely opposite side of the city.  Then after speaking with the student, I hopped on the RER to go to the correct stop (I had to buy a more expensive ticket for this by the way) not realizing that I had gotten on an express train to the suburbs of Paris.  As I saw my station pass me by, I started to panic.  What was going on? Where am I going?  I was already slightly uncomfortable meeting a complete stranger on the edge of Paris, at night, but my current situation completely elevated my anxiety.  I comforted myself by making a simple plan of getting off at the next stop and taking a train in the opposite direction.  However, we sped past the next stop... and the one after that... and three more after that.

At this point, I had lost all hope and thought I had entered the first circle of hell when the train finally came to a stop at Juvisy.  I made my way to the platform which would take me in the opposite direction.  For those of you who are not familiar with the RER in Paris, at night, it's not exactly the safest mode of transportation in the world.  I was forced to put on my big girl face and at least attempt to hide the fact that I was completely lost and that the only person who knew my location was a stranger who for all I knew, was planning to kill me, cut me up, and make a stir fry with my body parts

I finally arrived at the correct station, at 9:45 mind you, and met my student.  I found out that the only words he knew in English at this point where "hello" and "goodbye."  I realized that this was going to be difficult considering I have absolutely no experience teaching and that this was my very first lesson.  He then proceeded to take me to his apartment, which was not part of our agreement, claiming that he can't concentrate in noisy places.  This would have been nice to know beforehand, but he seemed like a decent guy, so I wasn't too concerned.

As previously explained, he had no knowledge of English whatsoever, and I think he expected to learn overnight.  The beginners lesson that I had prepared was entirely too difficult for him, and it was a struggle to get through just the vocabulary in an hour.  He continuously claimed that he wanted to work very hard, but he seemed distracted and impatient during the lesson.

After the lesson was over, he walked me to the train, and claimed that 20 Euro an hour was too expensive for him.  He asked me if I could give him a two hour lesson for the same price instead.  I actually heard myself say "yeah of course, no problem!" So I had just agreed to work for half the amount we had originally agreed upon for the student who would be the most difficult to teach. What an idiot.  This is probably why I didn't make it through a semester of business school.

So that's the story of my first English lesson.  I now have about four regular students whose lessons have been much more enjoyable than my first.  It's great because I actually have the opportunity to practice my French, especially with the beginners, and I am able to save for trips to other parts of Europe.

Things you learn living in a small apartment

If you read my previous post, you probably saw the pictures of my new "apartment."  I know that it is technically a just a room where I can eat, sleep and shower all at the same time, but living in this small space has taught me a lot.

Your bed is a multi-purpose piece of furniture

Of course you use it for sleeping, but your bed has so many other functions that the average person doesn’t realize. Dining room table? Uhh, where else would I eat? Sofa? Absolutely, change the pillows around, and you have a new couch suitable for company. Closet? Hell yeah, I don’t put my clothes away.

Cooking is… an adventure

It’s a shame if you like to cook because frankly, it sucks.  Cooking requires a circus-like juggling act where you constantly rearrange your ingredients, prep space, and equipment.  Oh you only have hot plates? Even better! Just make sure you don’t burn the place down trying to make a simple bowl of pasta.

Doing dishes is even worse than cooking

This goes without saying even in larger apartments, but doing the dishes is even worse in a small space.  The juggling you do to cook is multiplied by ten, especially if you don’t have a drying rack. Also, everything gets wet. Everything.

Claustrophobia is real

You get stir crazy, end of story, but as long as you don’t cover the walls with news articles of local murders and claim to be God, you’re doing pretty well psychologically.

However, there are some positives…

You are forced to be a minimalist

A small apartment does not allow for clutter or excessive amounts of clothes.  You quickly realize what you need and what you do not.  Maybe this doesn't seem like a positive, but you will be thankful for your new-found minimalism when it’s time to move out.  Also, you can now tell people that their happiness relies too heavily on material objects without being a complete hypocrite.  P.S. you might lose some friends this way.

The smaller the apartment, the more you have to clean

Again, I know it’s not really sounding like a positive, but being forced to pick up after yourself constantly has major benefits.  1. You are almost always company-ready  2. Your apartment will feel bigger the cleaner it is 3. You are forming good habits that you will keep with you for the rest of your life… maybe.

You are responsible for much less

You don’t have to worry about the basement flooding or the tv in the guest room breaking because, oh wait, you don’t have any of those things!  As long as the electricity and plumbing work, you don’t have a care in the world.

So there you have it, that's what I've learned so far, and honestly, it's not so bad. My tiny apartment is all mine, and I can dance around naked or eat disgusting amounts of Nutella straight from the jar if I want to. We all know that these are the important things.

First week and a half in Paris

So I've been in Paris since last Saturday, and I meant to do a "one week in Paris" post, but that didn't happen.

First of all, I started working for my super awesome family which has been great! Their daughter remains completely adorable despite the occasional tears over having to take a bath.  Also, the family has been really accommodating and helpful since I've been here, so that has been very much appreciated.

Second of all, I finally moved into my apartment on Wednesday! Now when I say my apartment, what I really mean is my extremely small room and an area that I call my closet-kitchen-shower.  Mind you, I did not say bathroom -- that's down the hall and outside.  Did I mention that it is a seventh floor walk up? In case you were wondering what a room like this looks like, here are some pictures

Please do not take this description of my room as complaining, I absolutely love my place.  Not only will I get into super awesome shape from climbing the seven flights of stairs to my very own "apartment," but I also have this fantastic view from my window

... and this one from the street

Of course living in such small quarters will take some getting used to, but I am more than confident that I will be able to do it without a problem.  I am so confident that I am even going to try to cook a nice meal tomorrow using my two hot plates, so you have that post to look forward to.

As for what I have been doing for the past week and a half, well honestly, I've been sleeping a lot (jet lag's a bitch), but I have had the chance to go out a few times.  I went to my all-time favorite bar "The Cork" which is right on the Canal St.-Martin as well as a lesbian bar that Baudelaire used to frequent (I am not sure of any connection).  I also went to what I thought what going to be "Le Club du Fromage" which is a monthly party where everyone dresses up in costumes and dances crazily to outrageous music.  However, it turned out to be just a normal club that night -- still fun none the less.

Sorry for the post being so general, but I promise to post more frequently to avoid this from happening again!