Tonight’s classes really went very well and it just occurred to me that patience is a virtue which I have been cultivating since I came here. After I reviewed with Dora who is my early learner student, her mom was talking to me in Chinese and I understood what she said but I can’t answer in Chinese so I called my class monitor to translate for me. She thanked me and said that she has never seen such a patient teacher but me. For me what I did was just be with her child and reviewed some picture cards and showed her how to do it with her daughter. I am so glad to know that she really appreciated my efforts in teaching her daughter and the rest of the class. Indeed a simple thank you brightens my day and makes it even more meaningful. It’s one of the many reasons why I am up and about until this time of day, 
Category Archives: educational experiences
Funny Alice
Today’s classes has been really awesome and my kids were in the right mood to learn. Much more when I had Alice as my assistant for those two classes with early learners. I’m always glad to have her in my classes because she’s just so flexible and apt to get whatever I want for my kids to do. She is so friendly and we are close to each other at school. I believe she’s my best friend at school. More than anybody else, I love Alice.:)
This afternoon’s first class was so wacky because we had actions and one card says standing on the head. She got the turn while we were playing charades and she then didn’t know how to act it out and one smart gilr in class told her to do it and immediately raised her hand and said, ‘Alice is standing on her head’. We had so much laugh when she finally did it and the kids just bursted into laughter. Until the time we went home that kid – Venus kept on saying and giggling about funny Alice today. Though I can’t understand her in her native language but I can read in her eyes how amused she was at Alice.
Indeed a fun-filled class with them today aside from their receptiveness to our target language. As an overall, I am wholly impressed!:) Whew!
Today is Our Last Day of EL3A Class
Since I’ve been handling all of the early learner classes at school I really get attached with the kids and it seems more like I am their second mom or elder sister at school. Way back on our first encounters and weeks, they were a bit aloof and hesitant. They were very timid and most of the times they would just give me a stare whenever I call their names. Now that we are going to end the course, they are so chatty, lovely, and they love to hug me every time they see me before the class. They would just say hi and a sweet smile with a hug which makes my day very wonderful and bright. Surely, after this class they would continue but I won’t be with them for more than a month for I am going home in a few weeks from now so I’d be missing them, huh! They have become so brilliant, friendly, and bright kids over the course. Truly, they are a part of my accomplishments here in China. Whew! 
Hearing Wondrous Praises are more than a Relief
Last Saturday was such a great day for me though I can say twas a bit tough for I’ve got four classes in a row with only 30 minutes break time in between classes. After I finished my early learner class which I got only four boys and a girl with our superior DOS at the back who watched for a couple of minutes, he said, ‘Your class is excellent today’. I said to myself that they were so impressive today among other tough days with them weeks ago. That comment was so tweely said and I felt I am raised in heaven and even now I could still remember how he said those words of praise to me. I am so happy and proud of myself; my confidence in teaching is back now and I hope this would be the same until I leave. Having heard such a nice praise from a person who expects perfection is more than an accomplishment for me.
Goodbyes Doesn’t Mean Forever
Sometimes reality bites and if it does it really hurts to the bones. I sometimes hate life because it brings me lots of pain and misery. For instance, last summer’s challenges pushed me almost to my limits but blessedly I was able to handle everything with God’s grace. Oh well, going back to life’s realities. Part of these is saying good byes to those people who made a unique difference in your life; so does mine.
Recently, I’ve said goodbyes and attended farewell parties with my school buddies. They are my colleagues actually who made a great impact in my life here away from home. I would surely miss them and all I can do now is just stick to hoping that we would see each other personally and spend time together. But the question is WHEN?
No matter when that is, I am sure that when it happens it would be in another place and time. Of course there is nothing permanent in this world except CHANGE. That is why I am learning to EMBRACE it now so I could cope whatever challenge comes my way.
The only secret to happiness is – FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE. Have these and you’d be happy all the time.
Amidst My Hectic Schedule
The summer term has just took off this week so off we went with our energies as well. Though its really hectic and super toxic at school but on top of that we never forget to have some fun time chatting about our best and worst classes. There is always time for fun in the office. Perhaps this is what I like best in my workplace. The people who are always gay and we try to uplift each others’ moods most especially when one isn’t that happy with working at this time where everyone is as busy as a bee. Well, the summer has its own advantages though such as that its time and days flies so fast like a wink of an eye. Whew! This is what I like best in summer. Smiles. On the other hand, summer has much more disadvantages as it has its pros. To mention a few, summer’s time is short and yes it is truly limited in terms of preparation time and break times most especially on days off. This summer we only have one day off that is on Sundays. Saddened. On top of that, summer is really the busiest time of the school year so everybody’s mood isn’t that well at this time plus the weather is terribly hot and roasting which makes everybody cranky and short-tempered. Well, these are just some of its ups and downs. I want to really focus on the good sides of summer for me to stay up and about until I go home this year end. This is somehow my greatest motivation in working here as I am away from my comfort zones. Whew! Smiles. I can and will make it through. Surely!!!
Are you Happy?
This question pierced my heart when asked to me by my outstanding student yesterday. She is a very smart and very lovely girl. At her age she knows more things and can talk for a longer time in English. In fact everybody loves her at school with her wonderful personality and fantastic wit. She has got more words than her classmates and peers at school. She always ask me smart questions politely and she always check for comprehension. In the classroom, she is the best and she out stands her classmates. She can translate some game rules for me in the native language and I do really appreciate it. Somehow I need not go out and call for my class monitor for translation. Smiles. Thank you Rose,,,very much.
Golden Sign Again!!!
Today is my day off and obviously I have to stay home but today somebody from the school called me up just in time for me to finish bathing. Gosh! She said I need to come to school for me to sign the postcards of my students. What for? Gosh why should I come to school on my DAY OFF just for my precious signature?! Well, so much are spent for whining and I really dragged my butt to school. No choice but to go there since they need to send the postcards tomorrow just in time for the upcoming Children’s Day. Well, I’d just spend an hour or maybe two and I’d order something for my laptop too so as to hit two birds in one stone.
Very Verry Verrrryyyyy Tired
This summer term has brought me so much stress and I am so tired by now thinking of what to do next while adjusting my schedules. This term I have been handling four classes in a row and I got only a day break. That is on Sundays. Just imagine that! Whew and I’ve got to go to school as early as I can to catch up with preparing my materials for all my classes otherwise, I won’t have everything. We have so many classes alike and it’s why I have to prepare early most especially the flashcards and photocopy for my own whenever possible. Since the onset of the summer term, I have been expecting these kinds of busy days here at school and I know I would give up health and wellness. I hope I can carry it on and make it there. It seems that tiredness is eating me up and I want to give up. Huh! This is really a summer freak. Now, I know how it feels to be working like a horse and as tired as a dog after a whole day’s work. 
A Sense of Fulfilment
I thought today would be another hell day with my classes. However, contrary to what I thought upon waking up this morning, I had a fantastic discussion with my high flyers and trailblazers today. Whew! Upon dismissal, one parent just came up to me and said in Chinese so many thank yous for making her son love to learn English. I could really feel her heartfelt thanks and that made my day today. After all, a simple and heartfelt thank you is what matters most. It could really uplift a weary and tired soul.