tienes un pololo?

My school is basica level which means it has grades K-8. Each grade is split in half and so has two classes of about 40 kids each. My co-teacher, Angela, sees each one once a week for 90 minute blocks. The last couple of weeks, I have been meeting all the classes which consisted of me standing up front and the kids asking the same questions over and over from class to class (in Spanish of course because why would you speak anything else in English class?)

"How old are you?"
"Where are you from?...USA?...Not China?"
"What's it like in the USA?"
"Do you have siblings?"
"Do you have pets?"

"Can you speak other languages?"
"What's your favorite color?"
"Who is your favorite singer?"
"How's the food in the USA?"
"Do you know other countries?"
"Were you here for the earthquake?"

And my personal favorites...

"Do you know Obama? In person??"
"Do you know Michael Jackson?" (always accompanied by a quick Jackson dance move)
"Do you know Jackie Chan?" (always accompanied by a karate chop)
"Do you know kung fu?" (also accompanied by karate chop)

School courtyard

I decided to have a little fun with a couple of classes and told them that I was actually friends with the Jonas Brothers and Selena Gomez (Disney Channel kids). I got a lot of jaw-drops and shrieks from the girls and even more questions about these people I know nothing about. Hey, if it means respect, why not?

"Do you have a boyfriend?" ("Tienes un pololo?")

This is usually asked by the boy who is most likely the big shot in class.

If you answer this question with "no," you're met with confused stares and, "well...why not?" because in Chile, it's just expected that you have a significant other. If you don't, there must be something wrong with you.

If you answer this question with "yes," said-boy gets the "too bad for you" punches in the arms by his buddies and he sheepishly smirks while all the girls giggle.

The English level is generally pretty low in all the classes, though some lower than others. For example:

Angela: "Good morning, children."

Class: "Good morning, Miss Angela."

Angela: "How are you?"

Class: "How are you...?" or "Good morning" or "...."

However, my segundo B (2nd grade, B) class welcomed me with this lovely greeting: