The words every elementary student loves to hear....

field trip!

But for some of us, its not all that's its cracked up to be.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing my students learn.

I also enjoy seeing my students having fun.

While my feet are incredibly small, try putting yourself in my shoes for a moment.

My classroom has four walls. Four walls to protect, contain, coordinate my students.

Field trips are wide open classrooms.

In my classroom, I plan out our day. I pretty much know how each day will go.

Expect the unexpected while participating on a field trip.

There's one more "in my classroom" statement......

Oh yeah, in my classroom, English is spoken.

There lies the problem!

First step to plan a field trip is to research. Where, when, why, how much are all important questions to ask. But most field trip locations in Taiwan on the web are in Chinese. And sometimes the translation is just as difficult to understand as the origional. 

Then comes transportation. Compared to the typical public yellow school bus, our busses are first class. The problem, however, the driver only speaks Chinese. 

Once you arrive at your expected location,  there is usually a needed conversation concerning tickets, checking in, and etc. Once again, all in Chinese.

Are you beginning to see a developing pattern?

And the problem is I don't speak Chinese!

None. Zippo. Nada. Zero.

I live in a country where I can't speak the language.

Where can we store our lunches? 

Which way to the bathroom?

Where is the bird show?

What time is it?

???

Add to that, the fact that the farm provided a guide.... who only spoke Chinese, of course.

I spent the day not understanding anything, relying on my good natured chaperones to direct my every step, as well as those of my students.

A very humbling experience.

I have no idea all the information the guide was sharing with my students. I hope it was educational.

I hoped they learned something new.

Maybe this summer I will have a chance to learn a new language.