Shortly after I wrote the last blog entry, it was brought to my attention that there's probably quite a bit about my life that I have under-blogged about. Unfortunately, I must confess that at this point it's quite difficult for me to tell what those things are. At this point, what may be interesting for all you folks back home and what may be interesting for me are probably two very different things. Much of what might make my life seem fascinating to the outside observer has become fairly routine and mundane to me at this point, to be honest. Thus, I would like you all to know that anyone is more than free to ask me to touch upon a certain aspect of my life in future posts.
Thank you! Now then, onto the meat of today's entry!
I forget whether I have said this before, but I'll nevertheless explain it again. Over the past semester, I've given my English Writing class a pretty set structure - I spend the first half of the class teaching a lesson based upon the common mistakes that my students made on the previous week's writing assignments. Then other half is then devoted to their weekly composition, with a topic chosen by me.
The essay subjects have varied fairly widely throughout the year, I must admit. Sometimes it's just a pretty easy question, such as "Who are your heroes?" or "What countries do you want/don't want to travel to, and why?" Other times, I do what I call "Teach the Teacher" essays, where I ask the students to describe and explain some aspect of life in China for me, like the National Entrance exams that they all must take to get into college. When I tire of those, then I'll first tell the students half a story, and then they'll all have to write their own endings. Sometimes I use real classic western stories (the second week I used the Fable of the Prodigal Son, sans religious context of course), and other times I jsut set up a scenario on my own.
Last week however, I was in a bit of a festive mood, for obvious reasons. So, in the spirit of the season, I had my students write letters to Santa Claus, in which they were suppose to ask for what they wanted the most. As usual, in many ways a good bulk of the class was in total lockstep with each other, and many of them asked for good health for their parents.
Other than that though, I not only found some interesting variety, but actually some deeper understanding about the lives of many a student in my class, as some slect examples can show:
Dear Santa,
As you know, 25th, December is Christmas Day. I heard of that on Christmas day, the Santa Claus will give us many presents and you us also makes your dreams will come true.
This Christmas, I want to get beautiful clothes as a present. Since I came to Jilin, I never bought clothes becuase there isn't has the clothes which that I like very much. So I want to get some clothes on Christmas day.
And I also want something else. I know that you an make our dreams will be come true. I wish that you give me super intelligent for the present, because I want to learn more things excellently. If I had super intelligence and I try to my best, I can do anyth every thing that I want to do. Could you give me this present?
Santa, Merry Christmas and happy new year. I wish you will have perfect times in 2011. All the time.
Thanks,
Julia
Dear Santa Claus,
Merry Christmas! Above all, It's so lucky for me that my letter is now in your hands. You're always a warm-hearted and mysterious man. And there are two things that I want you to give me on Christmas Day. I'll appreciate it if you can help me to own them.
The first thing is a two-round airplane ticket between Sichuan and Jilin. Only in this way can I both enjoy Christmas with my family and get back tos chool on time. As you know, the final examination is approaching, and it's not easy for me to remember English words and the laws. I have a lot of books to review so that I couldn't have enough time for Christmas. When considering this, I hope you can give me a good memory that I can remember everything just for one sight. Maybe it will be a little difficult, but I believe you can make it. Who you are? You're Santa laus, you can do eveyrhing you want, and you own the magiv to realise our drams.
Nothing in the world can deligh me so much as to have my dream come true. And I'm very grateful for your helpful. I'm looking forward to your reply! Best wishes!
Candies
Dear Santa Claus,
In China, today is the peaceful night and tomorrow is Christmas. In the peaceful night we usually send apples to each other to show our friendness and happiness.
Uh, the first thing I want is a big and delicious apple. Then I can eat it happily. I think it will bring me the good luck.
Then, I hope you can make our family more happy. Sometimes, my mother and father have fight at home and they hurt each other by some sharp words. I don't want to see it again. So Santa Claus please take away those unhappy fights and give me a happy family.
If you can I also want a handsome and kindess boy friend. We can read the books together and have fun with each other. I think if you can do it I'll become more happy. Thank you very much!
Sincerely,
Cindy
Dear Santa,
Merry Christmas! I ahve several wishes about family, friends, and person I adore.
Firstly I hope I have a complete family where father, mother and I live happily together. I hate the Spring Festival because I have to stay apart from my father. My left behind me for four years. I haven't seen him until to now. I miss him very much. I wonder where he doesn't miss me at all. Why doesn't he return back?
Secondly, I hope my friends will lead a happy lives. I miss the days when I stay with my friends. We can contact more. However, I find they seem to be unwilling to talk with me. I'm so confused. Distance isn't the problem, is it?
Thirdly, I hope a person I adore can pay attention on me and give some reactions to me. Don't be indifferent to me all the time.
Am I a greedy person? I hope my dreams will come true when Christmas is coming.
Lots of Love,
Sweety
Dear Santa,
Christmas is coming. I'd like to tell you something that I want. Can you help me to get it?
My family members and all my friend can live a happy life, and will never suffer the disease or confront when something bad is what I want most. If I can I want to use all my have to make them happy. I can give them all my love to ensure that they live well.
The other thing I want is, could you give me a free visa that can let me go to any country I want to. I'm eger eager to travel around the world. I'm looking forward to meeting different people, to getting close to different country's different culture.
Life is like a box of chocolate. I never know what I can get next. May be Maybe all I want is to be happy.
Can you satisfied me with this dream?
Sincerely,
Echo
Dear Santa,
I'm very glad to write a letter. I am not sure wether you could receive it. I do jusy pray that you could read it.
I really want a kind of medicine which can do help to the people who are AIDS or HIV positive. This semester I choose an elective lesson about AIDS. I understand a lot of knowledge about AIDS through the teacher. I extremely feel sorry for the people who are infected by AIDS. All they lead a rough life. What's more, some young children even have AIDS which are infected by their mothers. As many people don't know well about AIDS, they laugh at people who are AIDS or HIV positive. Even more they are afraid of them, they even don't want to give them a smile. Nowadays, the amount of AIDS or HIV positive is geting larger and lager. A large number of people dying from this disease. In fact, there is no effective way to therapy the disease. I hope that Santa father you can rescue our people who no longer cause suffering from painful and discrimination.
Another my wish is our China can become more stronger. Though, our China is friendly to other countries, they still make attempt to aggress my country. I want to say we are friendly but it don't stand for that we are easy to be beaten.
I will be grateful if father you can realize my wishes. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sunny
Sometimes reading, correcting, and grading 90 or so essays a week can be quite the hefty challenge. However, that's not to say that it's not without its rewards, for without it, so much potential insight into the lives of my students would be uttelry unknown to me forever.
You should write letters back to your students pretending to be Santa Clause. It will blow their minds!
Posted by: Chris | 12/29/2010 at 11:53 PM
A very creative assignment. I like the "Forrest Gump" reference in Echo's letter.
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