The semester is almost over and it’s final exams week. I really wracked my brain this semester, because teaching non-majors is much more of a challenge. I needed the same final exam that would be appropriate for students with a vastly different level, as well as something that wouldn’t bore
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Funny English Names of my Chinese Students
One of my very first posts in China was about students picking hilarious English names. It just cracked me up that a boy would call themselves “Cookies” or a girl “Super.” But like all things, you get immune to it. I’ve had plenty of none traditional names over the years,
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The Last Class
Three and a half years ago I met class 105 and 106. (In China the classes stay the same, with the same students taking all their classes together, for 4 years.) Both freshman classes, new to university life, I was hesitant to say the least. Freshman not only have the
Riddle Me This
At the beginning of the semester, 2 of my senior students told me that they had class with one of the other foreign teachers. I was suprised by this because the foreign teacher, Jenny from England, doesn’t teach any of the english majors. In fact, she mostly teaches children. But
A Brief Moment in Class
Because I’m chicken-with-the-head-cut-off crazy busy these days I don’t have time to write my long-winded blog posts. (And maybe that’s a good thing.) So I’ll just share brief moments, something funny or interesting, that happens to me in my daily life. The first brief moment happened in the classroom. I’m
Concerns About the Future
I have a pretty easy schedule this semester (much to my surprise as first semester is usually the busy one). I basically teach only one subject to 6 classes. (I have one minors oral english class but I could teach that in my sleep, have to do no prep or
The Teacher Becomes the Student
This semester I’ve taught English speaking to every single sophomore class. I’ve never taught an entire grade the same subject at the same time before and I kinda like it. Usually each class hangs out mostly with themselves, as they live together, have class together and pretty much do everything
And So Begins Year 4
The thermometer is still hovering near 100, but I finally have to face the facts, that my summer is officially over. Tomorrow begins the first day of the 2012-13 school year. And I’m having a hard time realizing that the fun is over. Can you blame me? In the past
Reason #853 Why I Love My Students
Every year I teach writing class. The official title is “Basic Writing,” but on the first day of class I tell them the real name, (my name) for the class is “creative writing.” This is my third year teaching it and while I do different things every semester I still
I Thought it Would be Fun……
My writing students keep a weekly “adventure journal.” Every week at the start of class I tell them a new adventure to go on some point during the week. Previous adventures have included keeping a dream journal, having a conversation with a tree, and trying a new type of food.