School Begins
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been extremely busy since classes have begun. Overall, they are really going well. I have 196 students. It is a bit overwhelming at times. Two of my classes each have 56 students and the other two each have 42 students. Needless to say, everything takes longer in the larger classes. Of all the classes in the English department, I teach the four classes who know the least English. There have been several days when I have left very frustrated! The students are embarrassed to tell me when they don't understand something. I ask them if they understand and they all shake their heads even when they don't. I have tried repeatedly to tell them that when they do not understand something that they need to let me know. Otherwise, they are just going to get further behind. Admitting that they don't understand something is a huge “loss of face” for the Chinese. I don't know how I am going to get through to them!
One of my classes really frustrates me. They just cannot seem to “get with it.” I think I might have finally gotten the point across to them. After they came to class three days in a row unprepared, without homework and books, I assigned them a paper to write on the importance of doing your homework, turning it in on time, and being prepared for class. After I assigned this paper, I then told them that because they were not prepared to learn that day that I couldn't teach them. Then, I walked out. I think they got the point. From the papers I have been reading, they seem to understand now. We will see if they have their homework this Tuesday. Who knows! Either this week or next I am hoping to begin having some students over to my house in the evenings to watch movies and to get to know them better.
The first two weeks after school began, I had major computer problems, over fifty viruses and ten worms. Luckily, one of the M&M's here is knowledgeable with computers, and he was able to figure out the problem. The viruses had eaten up my Norton Virus protection, so once e-virusing was fixed, I had to download another one. Everything seems to be working fine now! I am so thankful that I didn't have to spend much money to solve the problem. I was very worried for a while!
I finally broke down two weeks ago and bought a DVD player. It is necessary here because the students love to come to your home and watch movies. I think it will be a good “investment!” I'd had it a week and maybe watched three movies on it and it quit working, so we took it back and they gave me another one. Hopefully, this one will work, at least for the next 9 months.
I've kept Janey the last two weekends while Paul has been out of town. She is really good. She has the best temperament and is so much fun to be around. She brings a lot of laughter in my life! We have fun together and I love to spoil her! We go to McDonalds all the time. She eats so much though. I cannot believe it! She ate more than I did last night! She's a little pig!
The other day, Anika and I were trying to get a taxi, and he was about to stop, until he saw me. Then, he about ran over us as he tried to speed away! It was the man that stole my things! Once again, I forgot to get the number of his taxi. Oh well. He's lucky!
I had my first “Experiencing” study on Thursday. It went really well. Each time we meet, I buy lunch for all of the girls. They eat like horses! Chinese girls eat a lot. A LOT! They are so much fun! I really enjoy being around all of them and learning from them.
I have discovered the thorn in my side. Please think of me as I deal with a difficult situation with one of our co-workers here at the university. There were problems between him and other co-workers before I/we arrived and since all the teachers have come, there are major problems. It has been rough lately.
One of the M&M's is in HK awaiting surgery on her back on Tuesday. This is the third time that this particular disk has herniated. They are going to remove the disk, put screws in, and take bone from her hip so that it will all fuse together or something like that. I'm not good with this kind of stuff! She will be in HK away from her family, at least until Thanksgiving. Please think of the Ak family as they are separated from one another, think of the mom as she undergoes back surgery on Tuesday. Moreover, think of them as they come up with the finances to cover this surgery. They need almost $5000 more dollars to cover the cost.
Please continue to think about the ongoing situation here. Persecution is on the rise in a variety of ways. I will keep you updated.
I am still in the need of some people to adopt some of my students. All this requires is “thinking” of them each day. I plan to begin sending the pictures and names out this week.
I have been extremely busy since classes have begun. Overall, they are really going well. I have 196 students. It is a bit overwhelming at times. Two of my classes each have 56 students and the other two each have 42 students. Needless to say, everything takes longer in the larger classes. Of all the classes in the English department, I teach the four classes who know the least English. There have been several days when I have left very frustrated! The students are embarrassed to tell me when they don't understand something. I ask them if they understand and they all shake their heads even when they don't. I have tried repeatedly to tell them that when they do not understand something that they need to let me know. Otherwise, they are just going to get further behind. Admitting that they don't understand something is a huge “loss of face” for the Chinese. I don't know how I am going to get through to them!
One of my classes really frustrates me. They just cannot seem to “get with it.” I think I might have finally gotten the point across to them. After they came to class three days in a row unprepared, without homework and books, I assigned them a paper to write on the importance of doing your homework, turning it in on time, and being prepared for class. After I assigned this paper, I then told them that because they were not prepared to learn that day that I couldn't teach them. Then, I walked out. I think they got the point. From the papers I have been reading, they seem to understand now. We will see if they have their homework this Tuesday. Who knows! Either this week or next I am hoping to begin having some students over to my house in the evenings to watch movies and to get to know them better.
The first two weeks after school began, I had major computer problems, over fifty viruses and ten worms. Luckily, one of the M&M's here is knowledgeable with computers, and he was able to figure out the problem. The viruses had eaten up my Norton Virus protection, so once e-virusing was fixed, I had to download another one. Everything seems to be working fine now! I am so thankful that I didn't have to spend much money to solve the problem. I was very worried for a while!
I finally broke down two weeks ago and bought a DVD player. It is necessary here because the students love to come to your home and watch movies. I think it will be a good “investment!” I'd had it a week and maybe watched three movies on it and it quit working, so we took it back and they gave me another one. Hopefully, this one will work, at least for the next 9 months.
I've kept Janey the last two weekends while Paul has been out of town. She is really good. She has the best temperament and is so much fun to be around. She brings a lot of laughter in my life! We have fun together and I love to spoil her! We go to McDonalds all the time. She eats so much though. I cannot believe it! She ate more than I did last night! She's a little pig!
The other day, Anika and I were trying to get a taxi, and he was about to stop, until he saw me. Then, he about ran over us as he tried to speed away! It was the man that stole my things! Once again, I forgot to get the number of his taxi. Oh well. He's lucky!
I had my first “Experiencing” study on Thursday. It went really well. Each time we meet, I buy lunch for all of the girls. They eat like horses! Chinese girls eat a lot. A LOT! They are so much fun! I really enjoy being around all of them and learning from them.
I have discovered the thorn in my side. Please think of me as I deal with a difficult situation with one of our co-workers here at the university. There were problems between him and other co-workers before I/we arrived and since all the teachers have come, there are major problems. It has been rough lately.
One of the M&M's is in HK awaiting surgery on her back on Tuesday. This is the third time that this particular disk has herniated. They are going to remove the disk, put screws in, and take bone from her hip so that it will all fuse together or something like that. I'm not good with this kind of stuff! She will be in HK away from her family, at least until Thanksgiving. Please think of the Ak family as they are separated from one another, think of the mom as she undergoes back surgery on Tuesday. Moreover, think of them as they come up with the finances to cover this surgery. They need almost $5000 more dollars to cover the cost.
Please continue to think about the ongoing situation here. Persecution is on the rise in a variety of ways. I will keep you updated.
I am still in the need of some people to adopt some of my students. All this requires is “thinking” of them each day. I plan to begin sending the pictures and names out this week.
posted by The B's | 11:34 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home