Casanova

One tool I use to try to get my students to take control of their own learning is to periodically ask them to examine their difficulties and successes in language study. The first time I had my students do such an exercise, I didn't explain the reasoning until after they had finished. In response to the question, "This week I made these mistakes.", one of my male students earnestly replied, "I didn't talk with girls".

Students, Teachers, Work, Communication

Aren't they cute? These are the students from one of my conversation classes. I love this picture because it really shows their different personalities.

We are now in the second week of mid-terms, and I finally have some breathing room to evaluate how the classes have progressed, what has succeeded, what hasn't, and what I need to change.

I will be embarking on some experimental projects in my conversation classes that will (hopefully) yield some interesting multi-media projects at the end of the semester. I sent a "come to Jesus" email(I know, not exactly an apropos term to use in a Muslim country) to my education students after I had to ask a student to stop text messaging while a student group was presenting.

One thing I have noticed is that the student/teacher relationships here are much different than in the U.S. The students see their teachers as second parents, and as such the students are extremely aware of and responsive to teachers' moods. When I enter the classroom the students immediately react to my state. If I am happy and carefree, the whole class palpably relaxes and has fun. Conversely, in my difficult class, I often come with things on my mind, ways I want to improve the class, and honestly, some stress. No matter how I try to conceal my excitement, disappointment, frustration, it is disconcerting how well the students can read me.

Work Differences

Unlike in the U.S. where it is acceptable to be task-focused at work, to the exclusion of socialization with colleagues, here relationships take the priority. When the head of the department comes in, work stops and conversation begins. When the rector "requests" our presence at a performance or demonstration, classes are canceled. Days in the office consist of offering, accepting, and declining all kinds of food and drink; when I have work to do, I do it at home. But I have come to realize that this relationship network is really the way that things get done at my University (maybe Turkey in general?).

Communication

While I think Americans focus on the value of giving and receiving information, Turks seem to be more sensitive to the way in which that information is shared. In the US, asynchronous information exchange is used all the time, in fact it is favored (email, voice mail). In Turkey, the priority is on real-time communication, preferably in person. Voicemail is virtually unheard of here. No one has it. In addition, email is used only as a secondary source of information exchange. Emailing is seen as impersonal and I have been warned not to use it for anything important or to initiate conversations or requests.

If you want something from a co-worker, you find her/him. If you want to contact a friend, SMS message or phone calls are used. Not answering your phone or responding to a SMS message immediately is not understood and seen as a sort of affront. (This has proven a bit problematic for me, someone who is doing well when she remembers to turn off the stove, forget remembering where a little phone is all day, every day)

Thanksgiving Dinner and upcoming trip to Konya

Thanks to those of you who emailed me recipes, my Thanksgiving dinner was a hit. I cooked all day Friday and then folks started coming over in the evening.

My coworkers Feryal and Turkan came over at 5 to help me get ready. I thought I would be relaxing by then, but of course I was still running around. I share an office with them. They are both wonderful people, but in many ways polar opposites. Turkan started making Turkish coffee (typically the longer it takes to brew, the better it is). Feryal, who accomplishes more in an hour than I do in a week, wondered if Turkan couldn't turn the burner up a bit and hurry up the coffee. The interaction following was hilarious and, unfortunately, ended up with one cup of Turkish coffee all over the kitchen floor!

Guests came later, starting with the head of my department. She and her husband were dressed to the nines, and I was rushing around in a t-shirt and jeans. . . despite my perennial lateness, the evening went well. Although my pecan pie wasn't half as good as my sister's, The apple pie and the stuffing were big hits. The cranberry sauce, unknown here, went untouched.

Next month we have a 5-day break right before Christmas, and my friend Evren has invited me to come to her home with her over the holiday. We will be going to Konya which is the birthplace of Rumi, known here as Mevlana. Every year commemoration ceremonies are held for Rumi in Konya during December, but this year is an especially important year because it is the 800th anniversary of his birth. I hope to be able to see some whirling dervishes.