My year as Teacher Mariza has come and gone...and boy oh boy do I have many
memories.
I would like to show off some pictures and share short tales about moments I
experienced in and around the classroom.
Starting off with...Alian Teachers Conversation Class. This is the class I enjoyed most although always nervous. From the time Eva picked me up to the time we arrived at work I was a complete mess...
So Every Tuesday afternoon for one hour, we could speak about anything I was
curious about or any custom from my country I would like to share. But the best
part of this class...
We were always eating...and I enjoyed spoiling teachers with South African
treats.
Thank you to all the teachers always keen to participate in my way out
ideas, I had a blast!
Lucky for me April fools was on a Tuesday, I made myself up and played the part of someone who was in an bicycle accident. They all believed me and up until this day I am still surprised and impressed with myself for pulling this off.
During Chinese New Year it's custom for people to put signs on their door panels to wish and invite good will to them self and others.
Calligraphy, which is handwriting in an art form, is not easy especially in Chinese.
Eva brought all the tools needed for a hands on Calligraphy class, and we had loads of serious fun.
Eva showing off her Calligraphy.
Grace inviting Gold.
Student Jeremy, who does Calligraphy, wrote my Chinese name like an expert. So special I will treasure this forever.
Making Ice Cream.
It's all about shaking a milk, cream and sugar mixture with ice for 10 minutes. I made a CD with 10 minutes of songs with Shake in the title and told teachers they must just shake, rattle and roll until music stops.
Grace happy with her home made ice cream.
I made a tiramisu for a class and Grace and I had fun posing for a selfie.
LiChun dishing up milk tart like a real South African.
Hot Cross Buns during Easter conversation class.
Strawberry Ice cream for Valentines Day.
Doughnuts on a warm sticky day.
While I'm missing days in the kitchen I baked a Foccacia for a class where we spoke about smells and objects that brings back memories from yester year or even childhood.
We had our own Chinese/English Afternoon Tea. We had scones and cream, fresh fruit tarts and MoLi tea. Thanks to Eva helping with pastry shells and fresh fruit, this was one class that I enjoyed very much.
My birthday fell on a Tuesday Teacher's Conversation. All teachers spoiled me with a beautiful cake wishing with me that my future dreams will come true.
LiChun teaching me the finer art of Mahjong...I still have no clue how to play the game might I add.
I had the privilege of meeting 3 students for conversation class during my last 2 weeks of teaching. In such a short period we got to know each other very well, clearly the experience from all my teacher conversations paying off. With our first meet and greet and getting to know each other class, Lina, Camy and Willy asked me what I enjoyed seeing and doing most in Kaohsiung...I really did not have an answer, except for Hashing but I chose not to expand on this pastime. So students planned a day out in Kaohsiung to show and teach me more. I had noooo idea what to expect: We had a very hot day of fun and sun, they knew exactly what I would like to see, do and enjoy...This was one Saturday I will never forget. Thank you.
We took the a Ferry from Sizihwan.
Fun on the beach and waves.
We went to a busy night market close to the Kaohsiung Arena...this was only my second visit to a night market. They introduced me to food that I enjoyed and generally would not even considered eating if I was on my own.
Truly a special group of people!
From left to right: Willy, Lina, me and Camy.
The following pictures in no particular order showcase fun times in and around the classrooms of Alian, Gangshan and Zhuwei.
Story Time during Winter vacation for K1 and K2 in Zhuwei.
H1 Alian Devils demonstrating to prove to me they know what dancing is and clearly enjoy doing it.
K1 Alian doing Oppa Gangnam Style.
K1 Gangshan's busy bees, only a couple willing to pose for a picture with me.
C1 Gangshan, my smallest class and every class with them was challenging fun. Terry, Henry and Ricky , leaders of the boy pack while only girl Amy never once stood back for these boys.
C2 Alian...Bernie, Peter and Lily only allowing me to teach until they say ACTION!
B3 Gangshan was a special breed, every class with them was always exciting and fun. Girls always prim and proper while the boys...well they will always be...noisy boys.
B2 Gangshan was by far the brightest class I taught at all three schools. They were good at reading and communicating. They made teaching fun, interesting and enjoyable, when I called break time they will always answer in a chorus:
"Now that sounds like a very good idea!" and the last 10minutes was ALWAYS game time.
Tina can be proud of this group!
C1 Zhuwei's early days when they were only three students, we had a Halloween party with costume dress up and played trick or treat...not one of them opted for the trick part of the game.
B2 Alian's Joanna and Kelly showing off their Christmas Lanterns.
B3 Alian was my favorite class to teach. I teached them every week and really grew close to each one of them. All the students were bright and every Wednesday from 16:10 to 17:40 I would always be amazed about the amount of talent between four walls.
Angel and Kevin are the two most talented when it came to music. At first it took a lot of game time bribing from me and students to please play us a tune.
Angel surprised us with a show and tell of her beloved mouse, which at that time did not even have a name yet. We named the mouse Minnie from Disney's famous Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
I believe Minnie is not with us anymore so R.I.P
One thing about Minnie...this mouse was fast. When she was put on the floor she would motor like a F1 Ferrari all around the class. Ryan was completely freaked out and while I had to endure a lot of shouting and screeching from students through this year he by far took the cake that day and also the award of sounding like a real girl!!
Keshin small little dynamite of a boy was always early for class and enjoyed writing or drawing on the black board. I have no idea what his idea was with all the crosses or plusses, but he seemed proud of his masterpiece...who am I to judge.
A1 Alian had a mystery box 'cooking' class. The boys had to prepare something savory for the girls and the girls had to prepare something sweet for the boys.
The girls all came together and prepared pancakes, fruit and ice cream or rather what was left of it after a mandatory tasting test and served to the boys, who was not entirely overjoyed.
The boys started of with absolutely NOOOOOOO clue. Grace stepped in and helped out so they can complete their sandwiches of lettuce, egg and tomato topped with mayonnaise. The girls wasted no time wolfing down Grace's effort and hard work.
A1 Zhuwei, another star class thanks to Yang.
For my final class with them I decided to add a little practical fun to their lesson. They have a reader City Girl, Country Boy. In this book is a recipe of how to make a cocktail a Timbuktu Twist. I gave a bunch of ingredients and they had to sort out what was needed to make the drink.
Teamwork was the order of the day and I think they made the perfect Timbuktu Twist and enjoyed it after their hard work!
Bright bunch of students!
Although teaching English sometimes felt like an emotional rollercoaster ride there is one similarity between teaching and working as a chef in a kitchen....NOT ONE DAY WAS EVER THE SAME AS THE DAY BEFORE...You just never knew what to expect.
There are so many people I have to thank that helped me complete this success story:
Head English/Taiwanese Teacher in Alian: Grace
Head English/Taiwanese Teacher in Gangshan: Tina
English/Taiwanese Teacher in Alian: Carrie
English/Taiwanese Teacher in Gangshan: Yang
Colleagues: Eva, LiChun, Rachel, Robert, Terry, Yin-ju Liu and Jenny.
Today, looking back at my experience as an English Foreign teacher I am proud to say I made this job my own and in my own way I rised above all the challenges and shined like a star.
Peace and love to all while I enjoy my last three weeks in Taiwan.
Ex Teacher Mariza Greetings
xxx
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