Setting Goals

So we have passed the year mark and time is still flying by.  The Hubs and I have a little over a year left in Costa Rica, to be a Volunteer, to improve our Spanish, to build relationships in our community, to complete the three goals of Peace Corps and TEFL PCCR. 

Peace Corps has three goals as an organization.

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Peace Corps Costa Rica (PCCR) has three goals as well.  

1. Teachers will improve their teaching practices.
2. Teachers will improve their English proficiency. 
3. Students will show improved achievement and confidence in English and increased participation in the English language classroom.  

These goals stay on the forefront of my mind as I work and interact with those around me.  However, even though I know my objectives as a PCV, I have my own reasons for being here.  These were concocted after already being here and as I look forward to one more year in Costa Rica.  My dear sweet friend, Miss R, inspired me to write my own goals down for my last year as a Volunteer because of this post.  

Miss you boo

Here are my goals as I work, live, interact, and love in Costa Rica for one more year.

1. Improve my Spanish skills, I would love to COS (close of service) with an intermediate high/advance low level AT LEAST (I came in at novice low).  I want to be able to communicate with my Spanish speaking students and families when I return to teaching in the States and carry on conversations while here.  
2. Build relationships with the women I work with and live next to.  I really need to step out of my comfort zone to do this (I have introvert tendencies).  I want to get to know them and learn about them as well as share myself (like why the heck am I here) with them.  
3. Continue providing training opportunities (conversation clubs, classroom management/lesson planning workshops, write on my other blog to reach more teachers, do classroom visits) no matter if I feel like they are taking advantage of this or not.  I came here to help them, and while I may not impact all of my teachers I hope I can encourage just a few.  

These three while broad, will help be focus in on this year, to give me a direct path.  I now know my community better than last year, I know what works best for my teachers and counterpart, as well as I know how I want to see this year turn out as well.  

PS Still accepting visitors, however time is quickly passing by!