Teaching 6.

Out of the nine weeks that I have been here, I had only written like 5 post, when I was supposedly reaching my 20th post by now. It is just that the drama revolving around this school caught up with me, lulling me with these bitter sweet deception that is hard to untangle myself from it.

Just kidding. You know me better. I am just a lazy ass bitch. I mean girl. Sorry.

So.. Latest news about my teaching.. Let's see.. Hurm..

More and more students opened up to me about wanting help in improving their English. However, as much as I am happy about it and would love to jump in at the first sign of students asking help from me, I also feel that it is better for them to work for it. As in coming up to me personally and arrange with me when they want me to assist or tutor them. Rather than waiting for me to do it all by myself. I feel like it has more value if they also put in some effort into the learning. However, I know it is my job to make them realise that they have a fair share in this learning community, and that all that learning and knowledge does not come solely from me.

On an unrelated note, I had my first embarrassing moment just a few weeks ago. God. I am actually surprised in my reactions at that time. I wanted to tell a story to my students, so while beckoning to them to come closer, I backed away, to give more space to the ones at the back. However, the plastic chair that I was sitting on would not budge and it bent in a weird way, causing the chair to fling me off it. I flew backwards, and in a blink of an eye, I found myself lying on the dirty floor, staring dumbfoundedly at the spinning fan.

Next thing I know is my students shouting in horror. Some tried to help me get up, some just laughed at me and I think the boys lost their boys. Poor kids. I hope I did not traumatise them with the sight of my undies. I don't really know either if they did saw or not my undies. Let's hope it's all in my imagination.

Apart from that horrifying tale, I think my lessons were alright. Some days, it did not went as well as I had planned it in my head. I tried to make it up in the next class, but then I had an epiphany.

I have just wasted their time by screwing up my lessons.

Gosh. That really made me feel guilty. Very much guilty. How do I deal with that?


Till then

Teaching 5.

So far so good. My lessons are coming together, and I think I could finally recognise when my students are confused or when the bulb lights up.

For example, when I was teaching my Form 1 how to write an introduction by using the model "Hook, Comments & Background and Thesis Statement", only after doing it together with them do I see their face lights up with joy for understanding my lesson. However, I do realise there were a few of the students who don't really get the idea yet, but I will check back with them in the next class.

I did enter some of my other Form 2s, I think some of them hate me. Maybe because I was a bit stricter with them. Well, to be fair, they did cause some trouble. I know they are feeling a bit tired over all the drills, but I did not ask them to do the drills for my own entertainment. It was all from my mentor. So.. Yeah.. Whenever I felt like I did something to make them hate me (Like being strict and saying so many no's), I would lighten up the situation by making a light joke. Or just making them realise that this is for their own good. Practise, practise and practise.

Can't wait to go home for the holiday even though all we do is just fight. Till then.

Kids.

Kids say the darndest things.

If I wrote all the conversations I've had with my students, I am pretty sure the book will be one of the best seller books of all times.

For example, one of the boys in the class that I was relieving asked me:

"Teacher, what did you get for your exams (the one that the people of my country need to take when they are 17)"
"I got all A's"
"Why do you become a teacher?"
"Why not?"
"Why don't you become.. emmm..."
"What, you mean like doctors and engineers and all those people?"
"Yes teacher"
"Tell me, if all the smart people become doctors and engineers, who is left to teach you guys? Do you want someone who scores no A's to teach you?"
"No teacher"

The conversation ended there with a astonished look stuck on his face. Now I am not saying that no A's teacher cannot teach, but what is wrong with having someone who performed academically teaching the next generations? Even in Finland, the teachers there need to have master before they are allowed to teach. Hence, the reputation of being the country with the best education system in the world.

I got students left and right telling me I am pretty, but being me, praises are a means to get something. So I always tell them, "Whatever that you want from me, you are not going to get it". They usually just laugh it off.

Oh my. I got class now. Till then.