Thursday, February 02, 2006
Keeping myself busy
I am so busy this semester. Apart from school, I decided to commit myself to some volunteer work on campus. I think this will compensate my absolutely dead life for the past two years. I am starting to get more involved in university and I am liking it.International Week kicked off on Monday, January 3. Perhaps I will post some pictures up later in the week. It depends on how many pictures I get to take. All in all, those crazy volunteer hours have earned me a free ticket to the closing ceremony's concert, which will take place this Friday, February 3. Speaking of February ... one month has already passed! Time flies so fast these days, especially when there's lots to do and lots to live up to!
Also, I am currently teaching English to children at SVCC. It's a volunteer job for 12 weeks, a commitment of 3 hours every Saturday. There are three young children in my class. The first lesson was a bad start. I had little time to prepare or expect the unexpected as I was the last interviewee before this session started. The kids were cute. But they are sneaky. And smart. And they speak good English. I was expecting children who don't speak English as their first language. Gosh, it was quite a shocking experience for me that day. Being all disappointed at myself for not doing a good job, I talked to my coordinator and told her that I am not suited for this teaching. Then, I talked to the VP and told her that I might work better with adults instead of children. I think I sounded like a spoiled rich kid who complains about everything. She told me that she cannot switch me to another class because they are short of volunteers now. Then, I requested for a partner because handling three young children (ages 3-5) all by myself is very challenging. She said she will help me to find one, or I can bring my own friend along. Unless there is a substitute, I will have to continue teaching this class for the next 10 weeks
However, after much contemplation over my shocking experience, I realized I was just unprepared. It was a rash emotional outburst. I was probably PMS-ing as well. Therefore, I pulled myself together to apologize to the VP and my coordinator about my behaviour. So right now, I am still teaching the kids. Still surviving. Although it is tiring, I must say that I like working with children. However, I am quite sure that there is a critical difference in asian kids and CBC (canadian-born-chinese) kids. I find that asian kids are much more obedient and quiet. Quiet in the sense that they don't ask you sneaky questions and tell you scandalous stuff.
This one girl, Amanda, who is five years old, came up to me and said
"I want to tell you something." (her hands were at her back and she was looking up to me like a cute puppy)
"My friend has a boyfriend. And his name is Simon." (and she looks at me with her big eyes)
I was like ... "Oh, okay...so ..."
"That's all I want to tell you."
Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky.
I guess I have learned something out of this. I cannot be too soft with these kids. I have to let them feel that I am in charge here in this class, and there are certain things that you must listen to me. That's why I feel there's a big difference in asian and CBC kids. I taught music to young children before, and they were fine. I didn't feel any pressure to impress the kids. When I am teaching these three mischevious kids here, I feel like I have to impress them a lot to keep their attention span with me. They really do have short attention spans.
I want to stay on teaching for another 2 sessions. I can get a reference letter and it will look good on my resume. Hopefully, they are able to find a substitute teacher to teach the children's class next session. It will be less work and pressure to teach an adult class.
If any of you guys have creative ideas on activities and games for kids, please let me know! I do need some help on this. Right now, I am searching on Google for good and fun activities, but I feel like I am going to run dry on ideas soon.
Muahahaha. As a Chemical Engineering student, I have access to this computer lab on the fourth floor of the building. In this lab, I can print for freeeee! But I have to supply my own paper though. It's cool. I just printed my lecture notes which were about 74 pages in total, and a few other pages on piano music sheets. Muahahaha.
Okay, got to go get lunch. And Happy CNY to ya all, eh! ;)
