About a week before the course I was told that all the participants will be immigrants. I was not prepared for that kind of change of plan so I had to start all over again. I simplified the theoretic part and decided not to tell so much about all the possibilities of mosaics. I wrote and drew a simple working order on paper because I thought that it might be easy to follow. I also borrowed some mosaic books from the library. I was a bit nervous before the course, because I did not know what to expect and how well I would be able to communicate with the group.

I went to Vanajavesi Institute on Tuesday, November 2nd, at 8.30 am. I took all the materials and tools and put them on a table. I covered the tables with plastic sheets and made sure that there was a place for every participant. I was a bit nervous because I was told that there might be 19 participants on the course.

At 9.00 all the participants came, but luckily there were only 13 of them. I was relieved, because now there was more space to work in the classroom. At first I introduced myself and then asked everyone to introduce themselves. I told that everyone has a chance to make a small mosaic work, either a small mosaic picture or a photo frame. I showed them some sample works and books that I had brought with me, because there were really good pictures in them. 

Soon I noticed that I had to use very simple words and sentences because some of the participants had just moved to Finland and their Finnish skills were not very good yet. I spoke clearly and used as few words as possible. I also demonstrated all the stages, so it was easier for them follow my instructions. I think that some of the course members understood almost nothing of my instructions, but still they nodded their heads and smiled as if they had understood.

Time was running really fast and at 11.30am I told it was time to finish their works. Everyone completed their mosaic works in time and we had some time to admire them. I asked if everyone had enjoyed the course and I received very positive feedback. Despite the problems with language, communication between the participants and me went really well. For me, leading a course was a good experience and I would do it again anytime.

Text and mosaic works: Ida Löppönen, Degree Programme of Crafts and Recreation