First Day of School

This was not just my first day of school, but it was my first day as a teacher.  I've taught youth, children and adults, but never in a formal classroom situation, with students calling me "Professor Smith"!  I'm teaching conversational English to sophomores and freshmen, making up curriculum as I go along.  The only direction is that they want me to give the students exposure to a native English speaker.  I guess that's me!

Most Chinese students choose an English name when they started studying English in primary school.  They get pretty creative.  While there is Katherine, Sean and Carla, there is also Zephyr, Milky and Shiny.  Shiny told me she wants to change her English name and asked if I would help her.  Not what I expected, but I'll keep you posted.

The students I met today are great, and their English skills incredible. Many of them want to be able to teach Chinese to English speakers and feel that fluency in English is their path to making that happen.  We are going to have a good time getting acquainted, as they learn about some new ideas I have to share, and as they teach me about China and their culture.

Now only five more classes of students to meet!

Pretty cute! (Yes, that's Shiny in the front row.)