On communication
A veteran teacher in Seoul once told me of his first year abroad. In his classroom he was assisted by an English speaking Korean co-teacher. She would often translate certain vocabulary words, grammar rules, and other important parts of each lesson. During the first week, my friend created a list of rules and expectations for his students. At the top of the list it read:
There are no stupid questions.
He wanted to encourage his students to always be curious and to always ask for help and clarification. However, his co-teacher, in her attempt to translate this familiar piece of wisdom, misunderstood the meaning of his rule. In her interpretation, the students were told:
There are to be no stupid questions in Mr. Steele's class, so don't ask them.
Needless to say, an inquisitive hand was never raised.
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Advice to new ESL teachers
Today your students complain. Today they cry and moan. Today they glare at you for making them do verb exercises that are difficult. Today they mutter under their breath when you make them write sentences. Today they swear they'll never come back to your class when you correct their workbooks. Today they refuse to speak.
Your students don't like you. Today. But as a teacher you will soon understand that today will soon be gone. A good teacher is determined to conduct his lessons with tomorrow in mind, because today is quickly disappearing.
Tomorrow will be better. Tomorrow will have the foundation of today. A good teacher builds, and builds, and builds, knowing that every tomorrow holds the promise of standing a step higher. A good teacher is determined to push through today. Indeed, today your students struggle, but if you don't give up, if you push through, if you choose to be persistent, tomorrow they'll shine.
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Travel changes you
That much is clear to me. For better or for worse, a traveler cannot be the same after voyaging into the unknown and then returning home again.
Certainly, I have met people abroad who were hardened and irritated by their experiences in foreign places. I have known people who were genuinely angered by the fact that the locals in Beijing did not speak English. I have known people who were greatly distressed by the lack of western food options in rural Korea.
I'll be the first to say that travel isn't for everyone. Some people are obstinate from the beginning and should probably just stay home. This is unfortunate, but true.
But if you're willing, if you have an ounce of curiosity and even a partially open mind, travel will change you for the better. Most notably, one who has traveled generally bears a more gentle demeanor. As travelers, we have endured long and uncomfortable train rides. We have carefully thought through the simplest of tasks because we don't speak the language and must find new and creative methods of communicating. We have given up our belief that we are somehow at the center of the universe, because we have rubbed shoulders with millions upon millions of people who share this world with us. Coming face to face with these realities when we leave home softens our hearts.
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