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| Letters from TFF Teachers and Their Students - 2009 |
Enjoying again China's extraordinary culture and people
Hello Bill,
I have just returned to Portugal after the finest summer of my life. Thank you so much for the extraordinary opportunity. After the Camp I traveled for two weeks savouring the richness of my teaching experiencing and enjoying again China's extraordinary culture and people.
I have forwarded below one of several emails I have received from my students. I am thrilled to remain in touch with these young people. Plus, I continue to update my blog with reflections about the experience. Next Sunday I will give a talk to people in our community. One woman, an American teacher, has already asked if she can apply for next year. Do I tell her to follow the procedures outlined on your website?
I definitely want to submit my application for next summer. I only wish it were sooner! How do I show my formal desire to return?
I hope you are fine. I pray for your wife every evening.
Best regards and thank you once again,
PW
PW's Student - I'm influenced by all of the teachers I met in the summer camp
Dear P,
I'm Celia,your student in summer camp of HUST.I guess you have not forgot me.Because of our same hobby--writing.Though I'm not good at wrting,I like it very much.I'm thinking of being a writer these days.Of course it's not possible for me.I just thought it for fun.Because I know it will be hard for me to think out new things.In fact,I like write for myself,I'd like to write something about my own feeling.So I think I can only write,but not be a writer.What's more,after being a student of science for almost three years,I have spent little time in writing.I can't write fluently now.
But when I met you at the summer camp,I was really amazed that my teacher is a writer.I think I really learned a lot from you.What I learned most is not the grammar or the pronunciation,but the attitude towards life and your passion.I think I'm influenced by all of the teachers I met in the summer camp.For you,I thought seriously about writing.Though I'm not good at writing,it is impossible for me to be a writer,I will keep writing.I think when I'm writing for myself,I will feel comfortable(maybe it will be like a diary or blog).I am sure I will get most pleasure from writing.I really appreciate your coming to China to teach us,you taught us many important things about life.I think it will be a fortune for us.I guess you are on your travel now.So,have a good time during your journey.
Thank you very much for what you taught me.I'm not sure about the format about this mail,so if I have done something wrong,please point them out for me and forgive me.
The best-run teaching program I've been associated with
Hi, Bill.
I'm sure you mostly hear about the frustrations. But having taught twice previously and having traveled in China other times, I know how the unexpected crops up. I must tell you that this is the best-run teaching program I've been associated with. Most professional people. Most accommodating living situation. Students among the best. You have built a fine organization. I appreciate the chance to be a part of it for these three weeks.
T from Kansas
IT IS 100% WONDERFUL
DEAR BILL:
I WAS ABOUT TO SEND YOU AND EMAIL TODAY WHEN YOURS ARRIVED. THE PROGRAM IS WONDERFUL.....JUST WONDERFUL. THE STUDENTS ARE GREAT....SO ENTHUSIASTIC.....SO INNOCENT.....SO HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE. I CAN FIND NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT...TO THE CONTRARY....IT IS 100% WONDERFUL. NANCY....GEORGE....THE TA JERRY.....HAVE BEEN THIS PROGRAM JUST PERFECT. MY TA, YVONNE IS A LEASURE TO WORK WITH.
I HOPE I CAN PARTICIPATE IN A PROGRAM NEXT YEAR.....IN ONE OF THE OTHER COUNTRIES YOU VOLUNTEER IN.
CHEERS..AND THANK YOU....P
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What a fantastic and unforgettable few weeks
Dear Bill,
Thank YOU for making this experience possible! What a fantastic and unforgettable few weeks it's been. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Here are a few of my pictures - from the Wuhan tour, the classroom and the Talent Show. In the Talent Show the teachers all came up and sang "America the Beautiful" and then led the students in singing "We are the World." Everyone was waving their arms back and forth - it was really great. Hope all is well there - everyone misses you very much!
Best,
Bridget
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Tell everyone how wonderful the trip and experience
Dear Bill and All TFF 2009:
I just wanted to drop a line and tell everyone how wonderful the trip and experience was and to thank everyone for being such a fantastic part of a special experience in my life and my kids' lives.
I am delighted to back in my own bed, but I will keep dreaming of a day when I can perhaps move my bed there and join all those wonderful students and share in their hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
Please keep in touch with me if possible, I look forward to a reunion with as many from TFF2009 as possible some time soon-N
Total Eclipse
Hi Bill,
I thought you might enhjoy this view from the campus lawn this
morning. I'll have more written about it on my blog by tomorrow.
Best regards,
P
From a Pima Community College Instructor
Bill,
I have been busy preparing for a new semester at Pima College but I wanted to take a few minutes and let you know about my experiences at HUST this summer. I have been a teacher for 37 years and I must say the students at HUST were the very best students I have ever taught. (really) They were so higly motivated to learn, they were so much fun and they always had such high respect for me and the other students in the class. As a parting gift, the students provided me with a 14 minute video including words and set to music that showed clippings of all the activities we had done over the three weeks. I had no idea they were taking all these pictures with their cell phones. It was a beautiful gift that I will treasure. I have stayed in touch with many of them who have emailed me on and off over the last month. They have all thanked me profusely and have asked it I was returning next summer. This was a very rewarding experience for me and I have encouraged some of my friends at the college to consider it for next summer.
I felt that we recevided great preparation for teaching in the program and the other teachers involved were a wonderful group to work with. I commend you on creating such a successful program and I do hope to return to Wuhan in future summers.
Initial Experiences
Well, after mch worrying about taking on this adventure, my first day of teaching is over. It is terifying to face these brilliant students, many of who are already doctors and professors (back for another doctorate...) and coax them to engage in English conversation. It is the one area where they have not excelled, and it is their custom (saving face) to not do anything they are good at it. Especially the men, do not want to appear "foolish". It is also exhausting because we have 4 classes a day (hard work!) and repeating your class four times a day enthusiastically, is harder by the fourth class. That being said, we had so much fun! When asked to name what two things did they do well, one young man told me he sang well. He then sang a song for the class, which encouraged two other students to volunteer to sing. It made us all laugh so much. They had to choose American names (for my sake..) and they chose everything from Cinderella, King and Blue, to Michael (because he liked Michael Jackson). There was much laughter. One woman told me she was worried because her daughter is very shy. I asked her how old she is and she said 7 months! We did assured her this is normal. Funny how new moms worry in every country! It is very endearing to see how innocent, humble, sincere and kind these bright young students are. They work hard and try to be the best at everything, without arrogance. They do not have much and do not take any opportunity to learn for granted. A lesson American students can learn from. It is also very important for them to be good people and kind to each other, and above all, honest. They talk about how important it is to be "sunny" (optomistic about life). It is a word they use often, along with diligence and humor, as important qualities of character. My last class was the most difficult because they were the oldest students who are graduating this semester. They were mostly serious and quiet. I thought I wasn't getting through, or maybe had just run out of steam myself. Then surprisingly, when the class ended, they stood and clapped! Imagine my surprise! They are so kind, they came up and told me I was "perfect teacher". I almost hugged them all! It is a very unique experience, certainly not anything like visiting this country as a tourist. Well, I'm off for my second day, wish me luck with my new friends!
One of the most efficient operations
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:57:45 -0500
From: m
Subject: Re: Donation
Bill;
You folks run one of the most efficient operations of this sort that I've seen. Your plans for expanding the program richly deserve support from those of us who have benefited from the experience. No need for a more formal acknowledgment. Thanks.
M
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