October 8, 2001

  • I Speaka Good Canada


    I got my first item of mail today.  It was a postcard from Nancy and her adventures in Australia (thanks for thinking of me!!).  I want to send as many of you as I can postcards, but my Palm Pilot has no batteries and I blew the fuse on the charger because I was stupid enough to plug it in here. 


    My first class of English was today.  Most of my class has an okay understanding of English, but have lousy oral ability.  How am I going to teach them?  Aside from the fact that I lied through my teeth about my 'extensive' teaching experience, I honestly feel that I'm the worst teacher in the world (Paul,  you know this, I always tell you!).  One thing I always promised to myself to never do was to ever go into teaching, but here I am, in Shanghai, teaching a class of university students oral English.


    The first class went okay (very well if I do say so myself), but I have a lot of work to do if I want to whip these kids into shape.  Some of their names are just horrible.  One kid named himself Preacher and the other one Mickey after Mickey Mouse because he liked Mickey Mouse.  They basically want to learn oral English and about Western culture / life as a young adult.  I'm going to tell them everything I know... 2 hours of bullshit every other day.  But I do want to be a good teacher, and some of our topics are very interesting, so although it might be bullshit to you, it will be very interesting fodder for class discussion.


    There are two cute girls in my class of 25, I wonder if they will need some 'extra' help.  Yeah I know, ONLY two?  That's what ah'm sayin.


    Simon is in one of those nostalgic moods (How come some of you haven't written me yet?  Grace?  Mel?  Fred?  Ian?  Harmonie?  Charissa?  Daphne?  There are others but sigh... Still miss everyone) 

Comments (3)

  • To enhance your classroom participation, I think you should really emphasize the oral aspect of the language. Really stress that it is a craft that needs to practiced and practiced often. Follow these lessons closely with the importance of body language and facial expression. Foreign students often underestimate the importance of a good facial. Lastly, you should always make sure your students fully digest your point before moving on to the next lesson.

  • well if the 2 cute ones want some ORAL lessons ... oh ... nm

  • I never understood some of the English names that the Chinese choose for themselves. I once had a Tulip in one of my classes, a Llewana, and several Kitty's. But then again, if I were to choose a Chinese name, I'd probably pick something gay like Fragrant Spring, or Lotus Blossum.

    And don't fret - I'm working on that first piece of mail. It'll be very simple - don't laugh.

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