Reaching the end of week which has had one or two minor unplanned extras attached. I was directed, at no notice, to watch a drama contest last Sunday afternoon. When I arrived I was seated on the front row as one of the judges. Not what I was told. Towards the end of the afternoon the Chinese teacher sitting next to me whispered into my ear that they would like me to make a few comments on behalf of the judging panel – I suppose you never get an invitation for nothing. Fortunately I had done this type of thing a few times before so knocking together a congratulatory speech in the space of 5 minutes wasn’t quite as bad as it may sound. Some of the acts were so-so but others were really good, the winning act especially. It was a rendering of one of Aesop’s fables with a Chinese slant plus a touch of Chinese humour. The humour contained a touch of irreverence which, if it had been done only a few years previously might have landed someone in gaol. Certainly made me smile. Odd thing was none of the students involved were studying English Language but the standard was tremendous.
This afternoon I was persuaded to go to a speech competition run by the Business School. Again there was the usual dose of judging. I really don’t know why I said ‘yes’ as I had already done two double periods in the morning and have just now returned from the evening class. Friday should be a piece of cake by comparison.
Extensive Reading classes are going well for the moment. If things continue in this way we could be communicating with each other by the end of the term. I just hope I can continue to unearth suitable material from the internet.
Diary Of A Foreign Teacher 