Day 6 - first day teaching

Day 6

Tuesday, July 8

Today was our first day with the students!! it was so great :)

To kick off the summer camp, the school held an opening ceremony. The principal spoke, as well as students, teachers and the American teachers. One group of students did a musical performance, as well. See pics below:

Our group "leader", Jonathan, giving a speech. The guy next to him is Mark, the translator (and our future friend and buddy). Jonathan teaches middle school PE in Spartanburg.

Teacher (left to right):

Cheri Collins, first grade, Great Falls, SC

Me

Gayna McNeish, middle school guidance, Summerville, SC

Donna Owens, 7th grade ELA, Chesnee Middle, Spartanburg SC

Beth Stanton, CCEC

Huaiying Kang, CCEC

Jonathan Coslick, middle school PE, McCracken Middle, Spartanburg, SC

Me, introducing myself:

A group of students performing:

After the performance, we started our school day. Students were grouped by English proficiency. There were 5 levels, and I had level 3. I was very nervous to start my day, but it went great. Here is what we did:

• The students made name tents, with their English Names. I had some very interesting names, including Cherry, Vadar, Ender, Yuki, and Vista
• I introduced myself using the "About Me" powerpoint I use for my USA students
• Played "Would You Rather" - students had to justify their answers orally :)
• Students introduced themselves one by one, in front of class
• Song study of "Roar" by Katie Perry
• Dice game

The day was so fun. My students were quiet and shy, but started to open up as the day went on. I can already tell how much I am going to love them. They are inquisitive and curious - and they are SO very excited to meet and foreign person. Many of them told me they have never spoken with a foreign person before today. They even told me how grateful they are to have a native English speaker to communicate with. All of their English teachers on staff are Chinese people who have studied teaching English, but do not speak fluently, and have never been to an English speaking country. 

Here are the pictures of me and my class on the first day :)

P.S. These pics were made possible by my awesome new friend, Mark. He is a 19 year old university student in Baoding, China. He is another handler, who will help us get around town, navigate the school, take us to lunch, and his specialty, take amazing pictures of us busy at work!! I'm so excited he's capturing these moments for me :)