Volunteer vacations

However, between classes, Polish teachers tolerate the kind of behavior kids naturally want to exhibit after 45 minutes of learning. Attentive little scholars get up when the bell rings and run screaming and playing down the hall, letting out all the natural energy they have saved up.

Still, they are respectful, and my friskiest students competed to open the car door when I arrived, carry my bag to the classroom, and wash down the blackboard.

On the last day they brought me armloads of chocolates, flowers, little notes, and drawings. Fortunately, hugging is permitted in Polish schools, and we said our goodbyes affectionately.

Because we slept in Polish beds, ate Polish food, and were otherwise immersed in Polish culture, the learning process was continuous.

We stayed at Reymontowka, a restored manor house that served as a rustic hotel and conference center. It's used by everyone from artists to government officials. During our three weeks there, we watched a group of wood carvers create giant sculptures for the grounds.

There were several piano concerts, including a week-long competition that brought out the press.

We were constantly astounded by children playing reams of classical music from memory. We had an evening with the governor of the province and were able to ask him questions through an interpreter.

One night we were entertained by a group of singers and dancers in traditional costumes who shared drinks and sweets with us. More than once, we were feted when someone threw a kielbasa on the barbecue grill.

On weekends some of us booked tours with an independent contractor and took off with an English-speaking guide to visit Warsaw, Krakow, Auschwitz, palaces, castles, cathedrals, and a salt mine.

After I got back home, my friends wanted to know how I could possibly teach English in Poland without knowing Polish. I do know the words for French fries (frytki), ice cream (lodi), yes (tak), and no (nie), and how to find a bathroom.

But actually it worked out well. Taking my place in front of the classroom with the students at their desks, established our roles. I wrote my name on the board,.and they scrambled to find pencils and notebooks to copy what I'd written.

I pronounced my name and made one of those universal teaching gestures that indicate they should repeat what I said aloud. Then I motioned to individual students, and they recited words and phrases after me.

Hands eagerly shot into the air when they knew the answers to my questions. When we really got stuck, we turned to the Polish-English dictionary. And the first student to understand what I was trying to convey would rapidly explain to the others in Polish.

It sounds cumbersome, but in reality it worked well.

The second question my friends always ask is if I would pay to go back.

The answer is an emphatic tak.

Global Volunteers can be reached at 800-487-1074 or on the Web at www.globalvolunteers.org.

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