Friday, December 02, 2005

akoljdo;rfioawerj

Did I mention that next term I will be teaching a course out at the local private college? Nothing big - Writing 123 (aka "The Research Paper"). I think I'll be paid in pigs and chickens. But I'm not really doing this for the money (if I were doing anything for the money, I'd want it to take a lot less time and be a lot more enjoyable).

Anyway, I should feel more excited and happy about this opportunity. Instead, I feel really scared. It's not that I'm afraid to do the job because I know I could teach that course in my sleep. The fact is that if I pursue a college professor career - as I have always wanted to do - at some point I'll have to also pursue that Doctorate degree. Have you looked at what it takes to get a doctorate in English or Humanities lately?

Tackling the course work does not scare me...the "being proficient" in one or more languages - to the degree of being able to translate passages in works in said language - does. The fact is, I only have a working knowledge of Spanish. I would be expected to know French or German (I might be able to squeeze by with Latin) to the "proficient" degree. I find "translating" very difficult. It's hard for me to transpose from Spanish to English and catch everything. I don't know if I would do much better with written work. Bahhhhhhhh!

Or I could simply choose to be an adjunct for pennies for the rest of my life.

"Please, Sir, I want some more [porridge]."

4 comments:

bluesugarpoet said...

That is a fantastic idea! In fact, I might be able to smuggle one of the little critters in with me - long overcoat will do - so that I can increase my chances of actually passing the language test!

Jane D. said...

isn't he so smart? smart and cute.

You can do it. Even if you don't nail the language...I am certain you could BS your way through it. It's not like they are asking you to puke, cross a bridge, take a cruise or give up chocolate. This is totally doable.

said...

look, look, look.

from your first link - proficient is simply *passing* two 4th semester foreign language classes. Within the last ten years. That'd be with a D. undergraduate classes. To do that, you'd maybe need to take the class just before.

I bet it is harder to get *into* those programs than to get out.

bluesugarpoet said...

Yes, and if MJ could grow a scraggly beard and train a bear to be his house pet, there's no woman (or man) in this country who could resist his manly powers of attraction.

Welcome to the show, Tom!