And below, this picture is one of the less rated schools.
All in all, I visited eight schools, talked to over 2,500 students and spent time with over 40 teachers. Each student had an amzing personality, some were shy, some load, but all were eager to learn.
We would start the lesson with a ball game. I would take a tennis ball and thow it across the room. Some students would dodge the ball and some students would let it bounce off their heads. Once they caught the ball I would ask them a question (e.g. What is your favorite color? food? subject in school?). Then, I would let them ask me a question. Some students questions were innocent enough (e.g. Who is your favorite basketball player?)
However, some students showed tremendous concern for either their country or education. For example, some students expressed their fear of not getting the chance to go to college. Some were even confused on why we were there. Who could blame them. Only one student from the town of Funan was accepted to Tsinghua University out of over 5,000 students. None of them thought that they would be so lucky to go to Tsinghua, let alone America. It really puts a face to "land of oppurtunity" when you realize those that don't. Then they would ask me what would I do if I lived in that same situation. All I could do is give them hope. I know life is not fair and I understand how lucky I am.
After our ball game we would practice our sentences (e.g. The hot pot was on the stove.). Working on pronunciation, we would take time practicing each word. Then, we would act out a play (e.g. How do you answer a phone call in America).
First person: Hello, may I ask who is speaking.
Second person: Hi, this is ---.
First person: Hey, what's up?
Second person: Nothing, just calling to see how you are.
Then, we would finish off with some more questions. I will really miss all of the students I met. Each one special and each one so eager to learn.
