for the Christmas holidays. Most stay and enjoy the sights of China.
You may be interested in our beautiful teaching building. It is very open and breezy , which is great on a hot day. Today was chilly with heavy rain and so I put on heavy socks for the first time. Some of the students wore winter coats during the class, since there is no heat. The students remain one of the greatest pleasures of being here. Almost all are serious in their efforts. Of course, this is a required course. I am always surprised at the sacrifices the married students make to earn an education. A month ago an older student came to say that he would be gone for a week and he asked for my permission. He said, "I just miss my baby so much." (He became a father in September) Then I realized that he was hundreds of miles away from his wife and new baby, probably his only baby. Another student wanted to talk about her husband who is working in Calgary at the Bank of China. He will be there for 3 years and she has visited Calgary once.
It has taken a long time for the students to feel that they can relax and not be worried about making mistakes. Now they willingly go to the board to correct sentences and that would have been too humiliating a few months ago. It is a big step. They are fun, fun, fun, when it comes to competitive games. And, when they are having fun their English is better.
The photos are of the teaching building, the umbrellas along the hall by my classroom, and a group of 4 students who wanted to have a picture taken. Their names are Nathan, Scindy, Olive and DeeDee. (Some of the English names that they came into class with are a bit "off") I will remember them forever.
1 comment:
Olive is my favourite! i hope someday you have a great grandchild named Olive. seriously. the pictures are neat! cool building.
Post a Comment