Day 43-45: Teaching English in Liupanshui

These past three days we've been teaching to the freshmen at the No. 3 High School in Liupanshui. I've been having a lot of fun with the students, teaching them things about American culture, like what high school is like in America, English expressions like "What's up?" and "Chill out". The students are so eager to practice English, and I've definitely noticed an improvement in just 3 days. We have a session of morning reading where we read an inspirational passage and I correct their pronunciation and teach them new words.

Today we read a passage by Helen Keller called "Three Days to See". Then Erin and I have an hour long session in the morning and in the afternoon where they practice their conversation and spoken English. Even though they are lower income people, they still have big dreams and aspirations for the future. I think they can do great things if they keep trying, and I keep trying to encourage them and support them. They're also very kind; one girl named "Gloomy" folded a paper box with little boxes inside with little folded stars and things. Another boy wrote a really nice letter to each of us and gave us a picture of himself. They're thrilled to be learning from us, even though these past three days have been their vacation and they just finished term exams, and also we've had school Friday through Sunday. Tomorrow they begin classes during the day, but they were so excited to hear that we would keep doing classes at night.

I feel like I'm learning just as much from them as they are learning from me. Now and then they'll teach me the Chinese for the English word that I teach them. Teachers aren't supposed to have favorites, and I think that has been easy for me because I want every one of them to succeed.

I wanted to keep in contact with them through email, but apparently, in China, you're not allowed to use the internet or go to an internet bar until you are 18, unless you have internet in a private residence. The government is worried that younger kids will become addicted or run into bad websites or meet bad people on the internet. This is so interesting. I couldn't believe it when I learned it because such a thing as restricting the internet would never happen in the US.

I'm excited for tonight. We're showing them "Horton Hears a Who". I watched it for the first time yesterday and laughed so much, I think it's one of my favorite movies now. We showed them "Kung Fu Panda" on the first night, and taught them the song "Seasons in the Sun" last night. I think I'm playing basketball with them in a few minutes so time to go after I put up some pictures! Hope all is well!

-b

PS I hope you enjoyed the video from the last post! It's SUPER adorable. It doesn't work when I try to watch it here.. weird.

PSS: Miss you Matt, and I hope to see you when I get back! =)