Today I started teaching a new intensive summer class. Instead of meeting for two hours once a week, we have class for two hours every day. For many teachers the name of the program, "Summer Fun," sounds like gallows humor. Our class load is doubled, we cram six months of classes into six weeks with leaner teaching materials. On top of that, we only have one day off and overtime requirements go up, so we aren't paid more. Last year I had two two hour classes four weekdays a week...with teenagers.
Well, I lucked out this summer. I get 6-11 year olds, and boy are they cute. They're also have a lot more enthusiasm than anyone should have at nine in the morning. Here's Jerry, imported from one of my weekend classes. Sometimes Jerry's so excited to answer English questions that he falls out of his seat.
Before class, one little boy's grandfather had an English map of the Shanghai World Expo splayed across the boy's desk. He was telling everyone and no one in particular that his grandson was there to learn "世博英," or "Expo English." All of the kids are super cute and well-behaved (so far). We talked about the World Expo, played some games and made passports. I have a good feeling about this summer. Maybe it's the ten cups of 信阳毛尖 tea I drank today. Whatever. It's better than adderall. Now I just need to stop making excuses for not working out, but it really is too hot today.
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