Thursday, March 5, 2009

Level Two:
When our class was discussing pets in the U.S., my students were horrified to learn that many people enjoy owning pet rats. The group gasp was audible when I explained that my niece previously owned a couple of pet rats, whom she treated just like cats.
Computers for ESL:
I was really impressed that every student was able to create, and begin using, an email account! Wow! Even my two elderly students succeeded!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Well, nothing too exciting today except for a lovely gift from an older gentleman from Brazil. Hugo presented me with a wrapped bottle of Chianti today! This was a first, but how sweet!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Inside the ESL Classroom: Funny Stories and More

Today I begin my blog about my experiences in the ESL classroom. I teach non-credit ESL to adults at City College of San Francisco. I love my job, and absolutely adore my students. They educate and entertain me daily.
My goal in this blog is is to share funny stories, interesting conversations, and insights into the lives of students. I hope other ESL instructors will share similar stories and experiences with me, so I can add them to my blog.
Today's interesting comment came from a normally quiet, sweet, middle-aged Latina. After a rather high-energy lesson on the third-person singular (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/third-person_singular), the student remarked, "You are so active. What you drink?" I understood this to mean I was energetic, and therefore I must be on some super-energy drink. I responded honestly, "I drink lots of water, and one to two cups of tea a day!" I guess she expected me to admit I was drinking Red Bull, which I've never tasted. You just never know what to expect!