Things I love about my students

1) Storytelling is done both inside and outside of the classroom. The pictures are the same, so if they pay attention during class, their homework is essentially done for them. There are four pictures that they must describe. Each picture requires only one sentence. Many of my students have trouble with this, and that's okay. Instead of four sentences, I normally hear roughly 6-10 from each student.

Some, however, really want to use conjunctions such as "and," "but," and "so." Therefore, I get answers like the one today from Ben in Sprout 1, in which he used "and" 17 times to join every single clause. At least he listens when I speak!

2) They say "Me no," when they should be saying "Not me." I tell them this repeatedly. They don't absorb it. Also, when a fellow classmate is absent, they say "(blank) is die." I tell them they need to say "dead" instead. They don't understand.

3) Terry, whom we all love here at April English (no sarcasm), learned about check swings and third-base umpire calls from me yesterday as I celebrated the Yankees winning the World Series. He is a very bright student, a very fun kid, and I really hope I have him in my class again soon. He also loves to scare the bejesus out of Kristyna by sneaking up on her. Sometimes I assist him, sure...

4) I sometimes "airplane" the students, whereby I lift them up by the elbows or armpits and shake them around. After doing this to seven 50 kg children, however, my arms become quite tired. So now I resort to the old sack-a'-potatoes trick: I flip them upside-down and run around the halls with them. I've been kicked in the head a few times.

5) Some of my students think it's fun to try and practice tae kwan do on me. Sure, it's fun. But not when their fists are level with my balls. Blocking those punches is becoming tricky...

6) I give them candy for being good, and sometimes as a bribe to be good. Every now and then, they give ME candy! Sweet! Yea! Are they trying to bribe me?