I am Qin Zixuan, and I am currently a member of the Yunnan Branch of the 19th Postgraduate Teaching Group of the w88 casino. On July 27, 2017, I came to the teaching place - the No. 1 Middle w88 casino of Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. I opened a new chapter in my life and started a new life of supporting teaching. Looking back at every step along the way, the people and things I met unexpectedly left me with full harvest and joy, and left a mark on my growth.
A three-foot podium, dedicated to watering every dream
Due to the lack of local English education resources, students generally give up on learning English since childhood. Sleeping in class and procrastinating on homework have become daily routines. I started to feel anxious and wanted to change but I didn’t know where to start. I had no choice but to step onto the podium. I felt increasingly powerless and even doubted my ability and significance.
But as the tacit understanding and trust between me and the students were established day and night, they began to show their lively and frank side in front of me, and they were also willing to talk to me about their growing confusion or share their dreams for the future, which allowed me to discover their strengths. This made me realize that since I stand on the three-foot podium, I should respect the children's dreams, carefully care for and water these seeds of hope, and guide them to continue to grow.
Qin Zixuan teaches students in Mengla County No. 1 Middle w88 casino
So I regained my confidence, actively consulted local teachers and had one-on-one conversations with students. After understanding the students' objective abilities and study habits, I formulated the teaching goal of "building confidence and paying close attention to the foundation". On the one hand, we use morning and evening self-study to show students video movies, explain foreign cultures, and stimulate students' enthusiasm and confidence in learning English; on the other hand, we pay attention to the basics in teaching, teach simple grammar knowledge in detail, insist on commenting on homework, answer questions in every lesson, and write targeted learning materials.
Some original learning materials written by Qin Zixuan for students
Although the road to progress is full of challenges, my classmates and I always encourage each other. Under the improved teaching, students have gradually become more interested in learning English. But what makes me gratified is that my seriousness as a teacher has a direct positive impact on students. They began to realize that English should be taken seriously as an important subject. In the end, the class I led ranked first and third in the parallel class in the final exam. This is an affirmation of the students' efforts, and it is the greatest happiness and reward for me.
Many challenges, strong because of responsibility
A new climate and a truly independent life. Everything here is not as simple and relaxing as I imagined in Beijing. In daily life, poor infrastructure, insect annoyance and diseases have become a minor issue in supporting education. In terms of teaching, I am always experiencing challenges: morning self-study, main class, and evening self-study every day, writing papers, recording and broadcasting open classes. But all of this is a memorable growth for me.
It seems that no matter how big the difficulty is, it is not enough to make me panic. Instead, I become stronger through each difficulty. All this power comes from the identity of "teacher". When I stop focusing on the ego, I am truly needed and shouldered by others for the first time. When I stood on the podium and looked at the expectant eyes of the students, when I saw the teachers who had just returned to the front line as class teachers after taking maternity leave, I realized that the profession of teachers requires enthusiasm and requires you to be a strong person before you are qualified to be a guide for others. It is the trust of students that urges me to make continuous progress and become a better version of myself. It is also the responsibility on my shoulders that encourages me to be strong and optimistic and see more potential.
Beautiful Dai countryside, gratitude and true love harvest growth
Although my students often make small mistakes and make me angry and black-faced, they will take the initiative to remind each other to quiet down when they hear my voice starts to become hoarse; they will secretly plan to surprise me with a song I like at the radio station; they will silently help me set up the bench and pick up the trash; when they meet on campus, they will say hello to me loudly from afar with a bright smile. In my heart, students are my pride. I am moved by their innocent enthusiasm, admired by their versatility, and gratified by their unity and friendship. As a teacher, I have to shoulder the responsibility of teaching, teaching, and solving doubts, imparting knowledge to students, and opening a window to see the future and the world. As a teaching volunteer, my feelings truly confirm the saying "Teaching for one year, teaching for a lifetime." For me, the gains and growth in a year far outweigh the sacrifices. The children in the depths of the rainforest allowed me to see purer and beautiful things and understand the diversity and richness of life.
One year is very short, and it’s time to say goodbye in a blink of an eye. But the agreement is still very long, the friendship is still very long, and the spirit of the teaching volunteers is still very long. I would like to cherish the good things and never say goodbye.
