During my last semester in China, I had the privilege of teaching four English writing classes. These students were Juniors and had already taken two writing classses prior to my class. They were English majors and had just completed a month of teaching practice at various primary, middle and senior middle schools throughout Shandong Province. Most of them were preparing to be teachers, although some of them wanted to become translators or go into some other line of work.
Being interested in writing, I was very impressed with the writing abilities of many of them. On the last day of class, we had a little farewell party, with lots of goodbye hugs, photo taking, and sad farewells. They presented me with a book that they had compiled, with an entry by each of them. I do not wish to boast or brag about my teaching methods, which are probably not as good as my Chinese students think, but I would like to include comments from two of my Junior students, to illustrate their writing skills, which I thought were outstanding. The first one is from Ellen:
Quote:
Dear Mr Judd,
Thank you for illuminating my voyage of life with your own light of life. My grateful sentiments come from the bottom of my heart.
You are not only a good teacher, but a close friend. You teach me much.
From you, I learn that working or studying is not a dull but a great joy.
From you, I learn that helping others is a way to prove one's values.
From you, I learn that to be content is to be happy.
From you, I learn that whatever I do, I should do it well.
From you, I learn I should appreciate whatever life brings to me.
Although we only stay together for two months, your influence on me is eternal. You are just like the spring flowers that moisten my heart. The love and care you give to me will encourage me to go through a long and ardous journey.
I like having you as my teacher. I am not the best student of you, but you are the best teacher of mine.
Send you my everlasting feeling of gratefulness and thankfulness on this parting day!
Thank you again!
Ellen
End of quote:
The next entry is from Jessie:
Quote:
Dear Mr Judd,
It's really my great honour and luck to be your student in writing class this semester. I like your style of teaching very much. The first class that you gave us impressed me a lot. When you smiled at us, I saw your sincerity and kindness. Every Wednesday, I am looking forward to reading the quotations and ideoms on the blackboard. Reading these short and witty sentences always brings happiness to me. And I like the sentence-making game very much. The first time I did the game, I felt excited. Our group quickly finished it and when we organized these sentences into a paragraph or short story, we felt it seemed to be an accomplishment of us.
I think your family members are all charming and attractive, especially your musician son. His voice is really attractive and after I saw his photo, it made my imagination to reality which in my mind that he is very handsome. And one of my classmates has the similar voice with his. I feel that your family is really a nice and kind family. And all your family in white walking along seashore is really an attractive picture.
Wishing you happiness during this nice summer and throughout the whole year.
May everything beautiful and best be condensed into this letter. I sincerely wish you and family happiness, cheerfulness, and success.
Welcome to China once more!
We will miss you forever!
Yours, Jessie
Huo Ming yan
End of quote
The diction, grammar and spelling is not perfect, but the thoughts and feelings of these students are very
real.
How can one not be a good friend to students like Ellen and Jessie.
How lovely,what a wonderful teacher you must be.
: )
Posted by: lyn | August 08, 2007 at 02:27 PM
Very sweet.
Posted by: Dean | August 11, 2007 at 10:21 PM