A week ago, as I was picking up a package at the international office I was told there was “good news.†“We want to move you to a nicer apartment!†The thing is we already have the nicest apartment so I was immediately suspicious. “We’ll talk about it later,†I
The Best Teachers
I don’t want to brag or anything, but we just found out that the students voted Ryan and I as the top 2 foreign teachers. Okay, I lied. I do want to brag. Yes, those of you who know me too well might be wondering why I mentioned Ryan at
True Expressions
At the beginning of the semester I asked my writing students to keep a weekly journal. Well, I’ve just spent the past week reading the journals. It was a lot of work (about 900 pages) but I loved reading them. I got to know some of the students much better
Dinner with my Students
At the end of class on friday four students stayed behind to talk to me. It is not uncommon for students to hang out for a few minutes, but it is uncommon on a friday afternoon when usually they run out the door. After they told me they took part
Teaching Writing
One of the many classes I’m teaching is writing. What is great about writing with non-native English speakers is they don’t know the tired cliches and common word usage we are all so familiar with. Instead, they put together words in new and exciting ways which aren’t exactly correct, yet
Teacher Day
Teacher Day. It sounds like another Hallmark holiday. In America, I think they do have a teacher’s day in which you are probably suppose to buy a card and give your teacher a shiny red apple. But here in China it is serious business. Teacher’s Day is practically a national