Belated entry this week was busy lesson planning (and a little socialising) at the weekend as we got our syllabuses so late!

I have finally started teaching now and the first day was much tougher than I had expected. I found myself facing a huge language barrier and a lot of blank Grade 1 faces! I was given a lot of ideas to improve on by my TA like one word instructions and shout. I asked i it went well but they are hard to read and just say 'it's ok'. Although apparently my TA told another intern I was very good (phew!). The suggested songs and group work went down like a bomb so scrapped that will simplify some songs for Grade 1. Having only 2 grades mean sooo much repetition though sometimes the enthusiasm is lacking by the end of 7 sessions doing the same thing.

The kids are fascinated by us and the staff love Western men it's very funny to watch. Another BMe guy Christian works with us on Mondays and one TA says she hates working with him because he has lovely eyes and can't handle it when he looks at her!

Had my second go on a motorbike with one of the BME women - can't say I loved it but it wasn't too bad. It was actually slightly better going a bit faster as it felt more stable (even if I did have to only hold on with one hand while I had a pile of books in the other!). I didn't have much choice as she offered to translate at the photocopy shop for me (less than 10 min walk away) and then got the keys for her bike.

Taxis to and from the school have been a bit of a disaster this week (Surprise, surprise). Some people have been late and shouted at while I was 1 and a half hours early one day and sat in the playground being pointed and stared at like a caged animal! My TA was not there yet and no one really spoke English. The security guy offered me his chair. I am learning in Vietnam if you are offered something you take it. You sit down otherwise you will be pushed or pulled into the chair anyway!

Grade 2 classes and classes in general were much better the rest of the week with a few lively classes. My TAs are lovely and like to chat and learn about all of us (mainly the boys). They say I am beautiful and young (or at least that's what they tell me they said!). I have been asked if I am married and if I would like to get married in Vietnam and told that the people here are VERY friendly lol.

Children with SEN here are referred to as 'special students' and the attitude taken is 'poor them' because they cannot learn and they are largely ignored. I was told not to ask one boy questions because he is stupid - said in front of the child and the rest of the class - very different ideas here. Rulers are still used for discipline - mainly banging on desks but sometimes a soft slap. But the focus on education is high and the children are mostly well behaved and responsive. We offer a break for them though from the normal strict routine which I don't think is always appreciated by all of the staff.

The lesson start at different times and can be shuffled around without notice or cut short due to the school gates being overcrowded. Some of us are also already being observed althouogh people seem to be judging and giving feedback on the company rather than the individual teacher - political and personal motives regarding rival companies again. One of my schools is chaos and complete gridlock after schoool as it is at dead end and the road just fills with motorbikes - another surreal sight.

Some problems still to sort out with the company but mainly minor issues and everyone is in the same boat so supporting each other. Vietnamese lessons are hilarious adn I can now say hello in 7 different ways! Braved the supermarket again on Sunday but cant do it anymore it far too stressful!

Very tiring weeks but everyone is now living for the weekends and making the most of any free time. We visited Royal City which is the largest shopping mall in Asia, imagine Westfield x10. Another place that is completely OTT and sensory overload just plonked in the middle of run down, small houses. There are 3 supermarkets inside aas well as the bowling alley, cinema, ice rink and waterpark. Not very cheap though as mainly Western brands so back to the night market for me I think.

Been craving Western food this week too many oily soups with noodles have made me feel slightly queasy. We found a place that does Mexican food but it just wasn't the same then seeing everyone's roast dinners on FB didn't help no- one ever does that normally!!!

We also visited the Museum of Ethnology which was really good with lots of food and different activities going on for the mid-autumn festival. It was really interesting to learn about the mix of cultures in Vietnam and see the different types of local houses. They put on traditional dance or the festival including lion dances which were great to see.

Back to school Monday and there's a definite vibe that we are not welocme there. Sat next to where one of the teacher's was and she shoved her chair back threw it under the table and stormed around to the other side to sit down! Maybe it's just staff room politics and I sat in the wrong area??? Another day off today as the school are celebrating the mid-autumn festival - which I found out last night. Not sure I will ever get my head around the orgaisation (or lack of it) in this country.

Still no regrets even with the few issues we've had definitey made the right decision coming here and think the time will fly by. So I'm off to make the most of my day off with a wander around the old quarter.

xx