Category Archives: Teaching

Half of of my job was to teach primary-level English at government schools

Moving along, moving ahead

If I’m tired of talking about one thing it’s my work. As soon as I see a friend, the first thing that is asked is, So, how’s your school?
I tell and retell stories about teachers interrupting my classes, the headsir walking out of the office while I’m talking to him, and just the generally unwelcoming [...]

Unanswered prayers

I finished up my last week at school by giving an exam. Something like a pop quiz, except it involved excessive and indiscreet cheating by the students.
What do you do when you’re in a classroom the size of a bedroom with 60 students sitting in benches at tables that even the strictest Puritan would deem [...]

Traditional medicine

Another night in a hotel room and I’m suddenly missing my flat in Birganj.
I’ve been in Kathmandu (Thamel, actually, which is the tourist district) for four nights. I’ll be away from Birganj for almost a week more before I get back to teaching and facing the devils who are my students.
Two weeks ago in Birganj [...]