Day 9 - Lovers and Followers

Day 9

Friday, July 11

Here is what we did today:

• morning interviews: students lined up outside and had a brief conversation with me before entering the classroom. The students LOVE this activity and are running, pushing, and shoving each other to get their place in line. I wish my American students showed this much enthusiasm about, well, anything at all.
• Today is, yesterday was, tomorrow will be practice with a partner
• shopping:  "How much does this cost?" 
• conversation cards with speed dating (see very funny story below)
• Halloween lesson
• Cha-Cha slide
• "Am I Wrong" song study
• "Happy" performance practice 

Two very funny things happened today. One at school, and one outside of school:

1)  For the speed dating activity, I had an odd number of students - so one student was always sitting alone. Just like in my classroom, I used this as an opportunity to give individual attention to whichever student is alone for that round. Today, I sat with many students talking about favorites, important people, opinions and ideas. During one of the rounds I sat with Vista, one of my most interesting students. Vista's card had the following question: What is the most important thing in your life? Why is this thing important?

So I asked Vista this question. Here's how the convo went:

• Me: Vista, what is the most important thing in your life?  and why?
• Vista: The most important thing in my life is my lover.
• Me: Your what?! I don't understand what you said.
• Vista: My lover.
• Me: What?!
• Vista: My lover. L-O-V-E-R
• Me: Do you mean your girlfriend?
• Vista: yes
• Me: So you have a girlfriend. What's her name?
• Vista: I don't have a girlfriend.
• Me: VISTA! I don't understand!
• Vista: My girlfriend is the most important thing I will have in my life.
• Me: Are you talking about a girlfriend you might have in the future?
• Vista: yes
• Me: OKAY! Well that's very nice of you to say. I'm glad that you already think that your future girlfriend is so important and special. But, this question is really asking about right now. Your life right now.
• Vista: oooohhhhh
• Me: But on the topic, let me give me some advice about girls. Girls like compliments. They like to know how smart they are, how pretty they are. They like gifts. Keep these things in mind moving forward. 

I don't know what he's been watching on tv, but he's apparently very girl crazy. Enough to tell his teacher about it. Further, his use of the word "lover" was TOO MUCH. He was a weird kid. Super sweet and kind and thoughtful. and smart too. but weird.

2) I went out with An Meng, one of our handlers, to get lunch today. We were walking through the busy street when I noticed two young girls (probably 12 or 13) noticing me. They were stopped and staring. By now this is not surprising, an although I notice it, it doesn't bother me. I usually just say hello and keep walking. This is what I did this time. An Meng and I kept walking. The girls followed. We went inside KFC to get lunch. The girls followed. We got in line to order. The girls sat down and waited.

We got our food and left. The girls followed. We walked a few blocks back towards the school, the girls were still in pursuit. FINALLY, one of them stopped me and said  hello. She told me she was a middle school student at a different school and that she and her friend were out shopping for the day. She said she really wanted to talk to me to practice her English. So we walked and talked the whole way back to the school.

Once we got to school she asked for my info so that she could practice her English some more. I gave her my email. I already had an email waiting for me when I got back to the hotel.

It was very interesting being followed on the streets, but even more interesting to be followed for my highly valued English Language fluency. It's so strange to be so desired for something I possess without even trying. I didn't do anything to learn or know English. Just was born to American parents in an English speaking country. I cannot imagine my students getting excited to speak with native speakers of the language they study. and they certainly wouldn't stalk them down on the street. These Chinese kids are something impressive. American students need to watch their backs - the Chinese kids are gonna take over.

Here are a few pics from the day:

I love this picture! It captures me and my interactions with my students so well :) LOL

The students made Halloween masks after our Halloween lesson, to wear for Trick-or-treating tomorrow.

Funny story about this pic: Fellow teacher, Gayna, did a lesson on money. To reinforce the topic, the students had a pretend bookstore, where they could buy and sell books. She told a hilarious story about the "salesman". He was trying to "sell" his book by describing its advantages and so he says, "Very nice book. High quality. Not made in China!"  I am still laughing about this statement. Even they know that China is known for making inexpensive items of less than the best quality :)