Morning started out with a bit of excitement in the breakfast area. LuRue got to breakfast earlier than usual and found Don getting his food amidst a sea of navy blue uniforms, trousers tucked into boots. We are guessing there were about 35 SWAT team members swarming around...eating, getting food, walking to tables. All were gone by 7:00am. We speculated that they were there for training.
Montana was feeling better, but had decided that she should take another day to make sure that her health is totally under control.
Don took 10 of LuRue's students to join his second meeting with the Tourism Class. We are learning that there is quite a difference in the abilities and the motivation of the students...those who are counting on English to get a job and those who are taking a required subject. This has meant constantly readjusting our lesson plans to meet the needs. Fortunately, the teachers have been willing to give us feedback on what is working, what is too difficult, and what is too boring. Unfortunately, we will never see the same students again so they will not benefit from any improvements we are able to make.
LuRue's first class was all boys (about 40) learning surveying and related skills. The pronunciation lesson prepared was very difficult for them, such as the difference between the long e and short i sounds, as in "heel" and "hill". Montana and LuRue will begin preparing more action games and activities.
The second session was another surveying class, but did include three girls. The class had 46 students, but Don joined us. This time the pronunciation class was cut way back, and we jumped to Simon Says. LuRue tried her most rapid commands, but could catch only a few.
We moved on to "Hokey Pokey". The students followed the moves, but only a very few voices were heard. After a couple of nearly solo performances, LuRue asked Mr. Jhang, aka "John Wayne" to encourage the students to sing along as they performed the moves. (We are learning that having girls in the class makes a big difference!) They did, and so did John Wayne! We later complimented him on his participation.
Ms. Shi (Vice-Director of Education), Tracy, and Alice (two English teachers) accompanied us back to the hotel. They wanted to see Montana, bringing her a very beautiful bouquet of flowers and a large bag of fruit. Montana was feeling a little overwhelmed, but got through it OK.
After lunch, Baoli hailed a taxi for herself, Don, and LuRue so that all could return to the Global Volunteers "office" where we could get more teaching supplies. After three days of classes, we're beginning to figure things out a little better. Baoli told us that the English teachers regularly have classes of 80 students. Whew!!
Things have been so hectic that we've not even had a chance to do any exploring. LuRue did see a majorly nice ice cream store during her trip to the supermarket, which we'll check out when Montana is fully well. We're discovering that Chinese dinners do not come with any desserts. We are beginning to have withdrawal pangs!
Montana was feeling better, but had decided that she should take another day to make sure that her health is totally under control.
Don took 10 of LuRue's students to join his second meeting with the Tourism Class. We are learning that there is quite a difference in the abilities and the motivation of the students...those who are counting on English to get a job and those who are taking a required subject. This has meant constantly readjusting our lesson plans to meet the needs. Fortunately, the teachers have been willing to give us feedback on what is working, what is too difficult, and what is too boring. Unfortunately, we will never see the same students again so they will not benefit from any improvements we are able to make.
LuRue's first class was all boys (about 40) learning surveying and related skills. The pronunciation lesson prepared was very difficult for them, such as the difference between the long e and short i sounds, as in "heel" and "hill". Montana and LuRue will begin preparing more action games and activities.
The second session was another surveying class, but did include three girls. The class had 46 students, but Don joined us. This time the pronunciation class was cut way back, and we jumped to Simon Says. LuRue tried her most rapid commands, but could catch only a few.
We moved on to "Hokey Pokey". The students followed the moves, but only a very few voices were heard. After a couple of nearly solo performances, LuRue asked Mr. Jhang, aka "John Wayne" to encourage the students to sing along as they performed the moves. (We are learning that having girls in the class makes a big difference!) They did, and so did John Wayne! We later complimented him on his participation.
Ms. Shi (Vice-Director of Education), Tracy, and Alice (two English teachers) accompanied us back to the hotel. They wanted to see Montana, bringing her a very beautiful bouquet of flowers and a large bag of fruit. Montana was feeling a little overwhelmed, but got through it OK.
Montana's flowers
After lunch, Baoli hailed a taxi for herself, Don, and LuRue so that all could return to the Global Volunteers "office" where we could get more teaching supplies. After three days of classes, we're beginning to figure things out a little better. Baoli told us that the English teachers regularly have classes of 80 students. Whew!!
Things have been so hectic that we've not even had a chance to do any exploring. LuRue did see a majorly nice ice cream store during her trip to the supermarket, which we'll check out when Montana is fully well. We're discovering that Chinese dinners do not come with any desserts. We are beginning to have withdrawal pangs!
"Simon Says" and "Hokey Pokey" to the rescue once again
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