19/3/08---(Tuyan)
Today was our group’s very first visit to the Lakeside Family Center.
Although it was a totally new experience, I found it a rather enjoyable one.
Before we went there, I was rather skeptical of the entire idea of going to a daycare center to carry out our project. To begin with, I had no experience or whatsoever on teaching younger children, and I had absolutely no idea what I could do if they were defiant.
Recalling the experience I had when I was in primary school, I assumed that if I was strict enough, and behaved like some respectable teacher, the child would probably see me as how he sees his teachers and pay me the same respect, thus making my job easier.
However, once we got there, I realized that I was very wrong.
In the daycare center, each of us was assigned one child to personally tutor. I was paired with a primary four boy who faced difficulties in his Chinese studies. When the teacher told the boy that he was going to be tutored, he defiantly declared, “I hate Chinese.” Of course, that earned him a long, fierce, lecture and some very severe scolding.
At that moment, I felt so worried. If the boy did not even obey such a fierce teacher, how could I make him even respond to anything I say?
Hesitantly, with a distinct sense of regret that I was chosen to be his tutor, I forced out a smile on my face and introduced myself, then sat down next to him and his Chinese textbook.
“I hate Chinese,” That was the kid’s first complaint.
In the next ten minutes, he repeated that to whatever I said. I was supposed to go through a text passage with him, but the simple sounding task was literally impossible and I was going nowhere with my suggestions.
Growing increasingly impatient, I resorted to “underhand means”. I offered him a bargain. If he cooperatively studies a text passage with me, he would get extra playtime and be dismissed from tuition earlier than his friends. (Which I was sure was not allowed, but since he didn’t know that…)
He hesitated.
Encouraged by his indecision, I continued, “If not, you’ll have to sit here all afternoon…. NO playtime at all.” I emphasized the last few words and watched horror dawn on his face.
He finally gave in, and the rest of my job went without a hitch.
From this experience, I realized that communicating with the kids is actually very difficult from the place of a teacher, but from the position of a friend, or fellow student, it was so much easier.
Ps: Sorry for uploading this first post so late...
Pss: I know i sound a bit formal in e post above, but den last time i din noe how 2 do it...
Psss: Ehh...next 1 i'll make it sound less formal^^
Pssss: Yah, and erm...sorry 4 so many afternotes, hehes...
~Tuyan
Labels: 3.19.08, Tuyan
Jelly! wobbled @ Sunday, April 27, 2008
