Passports please!!

I got a passport when I was in college. I wanted to go and visit my friend who was lucky enough to be studying abroad in Florence, so I needed one. I had no idea where that passport would eventually take me...


Florence: that was where it all started...the travel bug officially bit me, and left a big impression. Now...I live in another country!

Ok, why am I writing about a passport? Well, today was the first day of my English Passport group. Let me start by explaining what it is: The kids get these passports, which by the way look pretty legit. There are two groups that visit with me. One group are 8th graders from my advanced class, and the other group are 10th graders from my advanced class. These kids have had their passports since 7th grade, and none of them have ever lost it. They know better! They would lose all of their stamps, and would have to start over.

Like these kids, I also always worry about losing my passport. Obviously for the reason that it would be really annoying to replace, but also because it is like a scrapbook of my travels. I would have to start all over. I would lose my visas and stamps from many countries like India, Cambodia, Thailand, Austraila...I mean that would be devastating. You see, I am proud of those, just like these kids are proud of their passports.

The English Passport club is as informal as it gets at Erh Shin Junior Senior High School, which means it is not super informal, but we are allowed to just sit and chat with the kids. At the end of the session, which is 30 minutes long, we stamp their passport and they are on their way. It is a great way for me to learn about each student individually, and the collective culture of Taiwan. It is also a great way for them to build their English speaking and listening skills and gain some confidence. Let's just say that this may be my favorite part of teaching here so far.

Today I met with three of my 8th graders: Lily, Sam, and David. We sat for half an hour in my office and just talked. I told them how excited I am to learn about their country, and I was interested to hear what made them proud about being Taiwanese. I fell in love with their answers.

Lily is 14 and she has a younger brother. She says he bugs her sometimes, but not too much. It was quite funny because when I used the word "bugs" she looked quite confused. When I further explained it, she laughed and replied, "Yes he bugs me sometimes, but it's ok!" She told me her mom usually brings home dinner, because she didn't have time to cook for their whole family. (Take out is very common in Taiwan.) She said she loved Taiwan because the people here are kind and friendly. She went on to explain that if she is ever confused or needs help with anything, she knows that someone would be more then willing to help her. She really trusts everyone in Taiwan, and I could tell she had reason to. I was amazed, and I shared my experiences that illustrated her exact thoughts. I talked with all three of the students about how many times people in Taiwan have apologized to me for them not being able to speak English! I told them how this amazed me, because I should be the one apologizing! After all, I am in their country!

This is when Sam chimed in. He said, "Yes but everyone needs to know English. It is the international language." Right on Sam, but I guess at least a reasonable attempt on my end is deserved! You know, I often hear stories about how people perceive Americans as getting annoyed when they travel and some people can't understand them. I mean...come on! Respect the country you are in and at least try to speak the language. Even if it is a bad attempt (trust me, mine are horrible). I refuse to ever be that American!

Sam is also 14 and he spoke the best English out of the 3. He told me a little about himself. He is an only child. He is an exceptionally bright and hardworking student. He attends CRAM school (which is additional school) on Saturdays for 6 hours! He explained why he liked this better than attending during the week - because it was too much work on school nights to go to school, after school, and still get homework and studying done. Umm...yea, I think he is right! He doesn't seem to mind CRAM school, and said that grades are very important to him and his family. Well, clearly...it shows!

Then there was David. David said his favorite part of Taiwan are the night markets. When David started talking about the night markets, his face lit up. Then, the three of them explained the importance that food holds in Taiwanese culture. They described how food is used, just like many cultures, to bring people together to celebrate important holidays, but also to interact on a daily basis. Many families eat take out and often will sit at little tables right outside the stand they buy food from. I realized how many times I often walk down my street and people are barbecuing right in front of their house on a little makeshift grill with turned upside tubs to sit on. THAT is Taipei, and I love it!

When the bell rang, they handed their passports to me. I wrote different little comments in each one...but in all three I wrote: Thank you! I am so lucky to have the opportunity to teach a language to amazingly driven and focused students...and in return to learn an unbelievable amount about their culture, values, and themselves.

Teaching IS learning!!

That's it for today!