SFI starts soon

Of course.  Just when I was getting ready to leave the apartment to get to the school for SFI, it started raining very heavily.  The temperature was a cold 7C and it was windy.  I was fussing about my layers and bag to make sure that everything was waterproof.  Pete was fussing about the contents of my bag.  He was like "Have you brought this?" "Did you bring that?" "Did you bring your pen?" He seemed more excited than I was.

I really wasn't keen on going out of the building.  It was raining and windy and cold.  I was standing at the door of the building, contemplating using an umbrella and trying to think of ways to stay dry.  That was when I saw a group of kids from the kindergarten nearby, at the playground in front of our building.  They were playing in the rain as their teachers kept an eye of them.  Ok.  If they can brave the rain and cold, I should be able to as well.

I pulled the hood of my waterproof jacket over my head and headed out with Pete.  The walk to the school was brisk.  The rain was heavy but it wasn't that bad.  It did soak a bit of my socks but I wasn't as wet as I thought I was going to be.  Once in the school building, we went to the reception counter and someone was there to lead us to the classroom.

When we got there, a class was already in session.  There were about 12 people in the class doing work and discussing with one another.  When we went into the room, I could feel all of their eyes on me.  The teacher was called Jenny and she told us to wait for another person who was going to discuss my SFI classes with me. 

When the administrator came, we were led to a room next to the class and there, I filled out a seven-page form about my personal details such as address, contact number, educational background and future plans in Sweden.  As I did that, we asked the lady some questions such as where and how long I will be studying.  We were happy to know that I will be studying there and my teacher is Jenny, the one I met earlier.  I was also going to be in that class too.  I guess the people in the classroom would be my classmates.  I'm not sure how that's going to be.  I didn't really get a good look at everyone but they generally look smiley and welcoming.  I hope. 

The admin lady told us that they have just started SFI classes a few months ago since the school Lindangeskolan, has allowed them to use their classrooms.  How lucky is that?  The school is only a few minutes walk away.  And I would pass the supermarket so I could buy groceries on my way home too.  Very, very convenient.

Once I was done with the form, I was given the file that came with it.  The admin lady said that the file is mine and as I get through the classes, it will be filled with stuff.  I guess it would become a sort of portfolio for me.  I have also been given a timetable:

Tuesday & Wednesday : 12.30 - 14.00
                                       14.10 - 15.45
                                       15.50 - 16.30
Thursday & Friday :  8.00 - 9.30
                                 9.40 - 11.15
                                11.20 - 12.00

I start next Tuesday where I will also be given books to study.  All free.  There are some breaks in between lessons and beverages such as coffee and tea will be provided.  I can already foresee that I would be bringing some baked goods to share with the class in future. 

I am kind of excited.  Not nervous yet, but I am sure I will be on Tuesday morning.  Although I am joining an existing class, I will be taught at my own pace.  The admin lady said that classes are tailored to suit each individual and all of us will proceed at our ability level.  It will be interesting to see how that would be like.  Being a former teacher, I usually get a class of kids of the same level.  Their abilities may be different but they are all learning the same things. 

I can't imagine or figure out how the lessons will go.  Would the teacher teach everyone the same thing at first and then she would approach me and give me one to one lessons?  Would I need to do group work or presentations?  Would I be assigned a buddy?  Most of all, do they all speak English?  It would be hard if they speak in other languages and we would not be able to communicate.  Well, no point worrying about any of that right now.  Maybe I could revise my notes from the very short three-day Swedish 101 lessons that I attended back home.  If I could find those notes, that is.

Once we finish the orientation and meeting the teacher and such, we headed out while the rest of the class got back to work.  It had only taken us about 40 minutes.  By the time we got outdoors, the rain had stopped and the sun came out.  It was a beautiful day.  We headed to a newly opened mall.  I felt like I was cutting class as I walked out of the school compound.  I guess I better treasure the time I get to spend out of school.  Soon, I'll have to back to the classroom which means reading, memorising and oh homework!