March 30, 2012 was surely an unforgettable day for me, for it was the first day on which I became a Chinese calligraphy teacher of more than 20 students in Commonwealth Secondary School. I eventually understood how exhausted my former teacher was when he taught us in my senior high school, and I also realized how dynamic and patient should a teacher be in order to be capable of his or her job.
After signing up for the GIVE Programme organized by MOE months ago, I was invited to share my skills of Chinese calligraphy (pen) with some local students and, of course, I was so excited about that because I thought teaching must be of great fun. When the day of school visiting was approaching, however, as a totally raw recruit, I felt a bit nervous. I did not have a general concept of regular teaching patterns, nor did I know the techniques to handle students. Everything about teaching was covered with a mysterious cloth and it seemed impossible for me to reveal it.
Whether I liked it or not, the day finally came. That morning I got up very early, about 6 a.m. when I opened my eye, there was still entirely gloomy outside. I dressed up decently, packed up my bag and hurried to the MRT station in order not to be late at the first time. I sweated profusely all the way, which mainly because of my anxiety instead of the hot weather.
It was only five minutes left before class began as I arrived at the front door of the classroom. I took a deep breath, adjusted myself swiftly and stepped into the class with a big smile. Immediately, I received some friendly smiles from some of the children, from which I believed they were kind and of good manners. I gradually thought that I was not giving a lesson, but actually had a heated discussion with them- in other words, there were many interacting sections during the class with a brisk ambience. Most of the students were active and willing to show their ideas and thoughts. Whenever I threw out a question, I could receive creative answers regardless of their accuracy.
I enjoyed being a teacher even though actually for only one hour. The children were very lovely and cute and I could not help being with them. I realized the true meaning of the saying: “Roses given, fragrance in hand”. I felt happy after sharing my skills with others perhaps because I received others’ appreciation and respect. I would have a sense of achievement when my students make progress.
I kept talking for so long without a rest that after the class I am extremely dry; my throat also became a bit hoarse for talking in loud voice. Nevertheless, I still love the procedure of teaching, fromwhich both my students and myself gain a lot.
Sometimes it`s good to expect the worst, and then be pleasantly surprised at the end. I`m glad you took on this teaching stint, Junji, even though it was just for an hour. This is part of the learning process for you. Should give you more self-esteem and confidence.Hope you`ll take on more challenges in the future..
ReplyDeleteI like your blog very much. I think that Give Programme is quite a meaningful activity and we can learn much from it. I am in this programme, too. I haven’t taken charge of a whole class, yet. I have just helped some of the local students with their Chinese compositions. I think it is interesting and I have learned some teaching skills, too. Now I know that teaching is not just the teacher talks from the beginning till the end. Instead, teachers should pay attention to whether the students have absorbed the knowledge or not. I think that is not easy. Glad to know that you have done a good work in your first class and you have also enjoyed it! Good luck for the next one!!
ReplyDeleteIt is very good to know that you are getting on well with your students because my students seem to be very shy and not willing to talk to me. Maybe I should learn something from you and be brave enough to talk to them with passion.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I also applied the give program but the service program at the outset. I do love children and enjoy playing with them and teaching them knowledge. In fact, I am good at making children laugh. I have many little sisters and brothers. They always follow me just like my tails. I get tremendous happiness at the moment when children reveal their smiles.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience! Everything is difficult at the beginning but you have overcome it and learnt to enjoy it. I think you had a good attitude towards it and really concentrated on it. Your experience told us that if we like something ,take practical actions and learn to enjoy the process, we can not only gain success, but also have a good time. What also get from your blog is that teaching young students is really a happy thing and we can get a lot of fun from their naive thought. Hope you can gain more memoriable experience later.
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