Talk Of The Town - Cheers from Changsha!

December 16, 2004

Talk Of The Town

Monday and Wednesday nights I have an adult class of 8 women. The age range is from 18-40. Three of them are students, one is a Chinese teacher, one is a marketing manager and the other three are employed in offices of some kind. They are all intelligent people in their own right. They are trying to improve their English skills. The teacher and her husband and son are moving to Toronto in March. From the few classes we have had I have determined they need can read and write English very well. They really need improvement in their speaking and pronunciation. So I just need to get them talking!

It took a few classes for them to open up. Now they know each other better and feel more comfortable. I keep trying to think of ways to keep them talking. One class we divided up and did a debate. The topic was dieting which they were all familiar with. I have to keep the topics on subjects that I know they will talk about. And women are always concerned about their weight! Of course that evolved into nutrition and food and many more topics.

The unit we were working on in their workbooks was Fashion. They could all relate to that and seemed very interested in knowing about fashion and styles in North America. So I set up the class as a talk show. I split them into 2 groups and gave them roles to play as designers, magazine editors, photographers etc. One person from each group was appointed the host of the show. We called the show “Talk of The Town.” They had to write out questions that the host would ask and also their own answers. Then I dimmed the lights and created a stage effect. They did really well! And they enjoyed watching each other’s show. I just happened to have my camera with me that night, so I took a picture of each group.

Then of course they got excited and wanted a group picture of us all. We got the receptionists to come and take it. So here we are!
CHANGSHA NOV 20 024.jpg
I didn't realize they were doing the rabbit ears thing until I downloaded the picture. See, they are just as goofy as Canadians when it comes to having their picture taken! I am really enjoying teaching these ladies. I look forward to our two nights a week together. It’s a nice change of pace from the little ones on the weekends.

Posted by Janice on December 16, 2004 12:49 PM
Category: Talk Of The Town

Comments

Stop, you are spoiling me! First again!

Posted by: Rose on December 16, 2004 12:59 PM

You read my mind! AGAIN! Great idea for the class. They all look very young. Have you noticed they age very well.....ask them their beauty secrets and let us all know! LOL

Posted by: Rose on December 16, 2004 01:04 PM

Rose, is real estate slow? You seem to be first all the time!

Great entries Mom, glad to hear the shopping at Costco is worldwide obession!

Posted by: Lisa on December 16, 2004 11:39 PM

Its reallly neat that you started this blog. Sorry it took so long to check it out....keep up the good work, we are all really proud of you

love Darren

Posted by: Darren on December 17, 2004 11:37 AM

Darren! Great to see you finally made it! Love you too!

Posted by: Janice on December 17, 2004 11:56 AM

Glad to hear everything is going well. I finally had a chance to catch up on some of your blogs. Have you been able to use any of the kids letters yet? Since shopping is so good there, you won't be missing anything here and won't want to come back! Keep the pics coming. The kids love them and so do I.

Posted by: Renate on December 20, 2004 07:25 AM

Minus 21 degrees celcius here today, I bet you miss the good old Canadian winter eh???nice and sunny though and only one really cold day planned so far. sounds like you are enjoying the work as well as the pleasure. keep in touch.

Posted by: Diane on December 21, 2004 12:43 AM

Diane: You can keep your COLD weather! It's been hovering around 10C the last few days with a light rain off and on. With no central heating it feels chilly and damp. But it's sure to get warmer soon.

Posted by: Janice on December 21, 2004 11:39 AM

The cold snap is over, today it is plus one and sunny. How cold does it get where you are? any snow in the winter? looking forward to some more pictures......

Posted by: diane on December 22, 2004 03:04 AM

I forgot to tell you that I saw Kathy J. yesterday walking from the library in the bitter cold....she said she does not have her computer right now but hopes to get it back in the new year....she says hi.

Posted by: diane on December 22, 2004 03:07 AM

Diane: No snow here but there is in Northern China around Beijing. We get the effects of cold fronts from Outer Mongolia which brings lower temps and rain. It rarely goes below6-10C here. But with no central heating it feels colder. We have had a lot of power outages off and on so sometimes it's the same temp inside as outside!

Posted by: Janice on December 22, 2004 10:28 AM

Only 4 more days to Christmas! Hope everyone is ready! I am just finishing up moving into the new condo and kitchen cabinets come tomorrow, just in time to cook xmas dinner....now that is cutting it short! Jan, looking forward to a new entry. Talked to Liz on Sunday, she leaves for China Thursday and is getting really excited to see you soon. I wish I could run away and be with you guys LOL

Posted by: Rose on December 22, 2004 01:04 PM

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