Gina (胡靜), a student in Class 314, is reading Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight. She told me that often she dared not open the book for fear that once she started reading, she couldn’t stop. However, I encouraged her to read a few pages every day for entertainment, which at the same time improves her English reading ability. (more…)
Archive for March, 2009
Reading
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Presentation on How to Conduct an Advanced English Class
Monday, March 30th, 2009This afternoon I went to a workshop at Xisong Senior HIgh School (西松高中). The presenter Mr. Chien-chou, Chen (陳建州老師) demonstrated and told us how he conducted an advanced English class. The following is his course outline: (more…)
The Last Lecture–a Fantastic Book
Sunday, March 29th, 2009I finished reading Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture this morning. A fantastic book. Rich in life lessons. With the book closed, the following is what I remember I’ve learned from the book.
1. Fundamentals! Fundamentals! Fundamentals! (more…)
Thank you, Ken
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
A few days ago, I got a text message from Ken (王慶剛), a former student who graduated about three years ago. He greeted me and offered help to my students who are applying to college. I texted a message back, thanking him and asking if it was OK for me to give my students his phone number. He answered “Yes” and said that he was willing to help. (more…)
Let Students Learn on Their Own
Friday, March 27th, 2009Today Chris (林詠梅老師) told me that around three years ago, when she was teaching third-year students, each class had 7 classes a week. After March, she spared one class period for students to learn on their own. They could read their own English boos/magazines, study their textbooks, or do some practice tests for the UEE. When the students had questions, they just raised their hand, and she would go to them. (more…)
He’s Finished Two Readig Books
Thursday, March 26th, 2009Today after class (314), Alex (張智堯), came up to me and told me that he had finised the Classroom 7000 Reading Comprehension book, a prize from me for being one of the first ten to finsih Six-Way Paragraphs (Advanced Level). I was impressed by his diligence. He won another book from me: Reading Master II. I told him that after he finishes this one, I have no choice but to give him an English novel as a prize because I cannot find other reading comprehension books more suitable for high school seniors than these three.
What can be more rewarding for a teacher to know his/her students are working hard?
Exhausted But Delighted
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009For the past three days, my evening life pattern is like this:
After dinner, I went to sleep until 9~9:30pm. Then I started to work, grading students’ compositions or translations, and preparing lessons until 12:30am. (more…)
“I think so I am.”
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009I really enjoy discussing the questions on tests with students. Classes 310, 313, and 314, they all participate actively in the discussion. I could have saved more time if only I talk, giving one-way explanation. However, I believe in the power of thinking. As Descartes said, “I think so I am.” In fact, we often forget what we are told. We remember what we try hard to figure out.
“Let’s saddle up and ride.”
Monday, March 23rd, 2009
How I love this sentence! Short and powerful. It is from Chapter 19 of Randy Pausch’s book The Last Lecture. The title of the chapter is “A New Year’s Story.” When I turned to page 88, I was immediately captivated by the words at the beginning of this new chapter:
“No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse. At the same time, it is often within yoru power to make them better.” (more…)