Cloudy in Beijing Blogging about my time in China

The last classes

I had hoped these last classes I might finish strong. Teach my student something fun, like music and slang. And give them a proper farewell.

Well, it hasn't gone as planned.

In one of my last classes, not one student decided to show up. And this was the class with 57 students.

I waited for 15 minutes before I decided to leave. Maybe they had a test in another class they need to study for. Who knows. But it was not exactly the proper farewell I was envisioning. ("Your students are bad; they have no respect for you," a friend pointed out.)

In some of my other classes, attendance hasn't fared too much better, with only a handful of students. The reason I assume is because the College English Test is over, so there's really no need for my students to come to my class anymore.

Those that do show up often just want to watch a movie. It's understandable. Movie days were always the best days in school for me. Just sit back and relax.

Well, for a teacher, movie days suck. They are boring. God, I've seen Tony Stark become Iron Man several times already. I've tried different movies, but still, I rather teach. But when I do, my students look so bored and dejected. Their motivation is gone. And so does mine. It doesn't help that there's no air-conditioning in the classrooms either.

Another foreign teacher recently asked me if I'm sad because I'm teaching my last classes. I told her I was indifferent; I'm just their teacher.

But still, it is sad. A day ago I said goodbye to Catherine, one of my favorite students who knows the meaning of the word "slut." A week ago I said goodbye to Tarry, who gave me a hug and even wanted me to autograph is textbook.

No more smiling faces, sitting at their desks, some of them waiting to learn. No more of me asking my students how their week went, or seeing them laugh when I deliberately made a goofy face.

Soon there will be no more teaching for me. I don't know if I ever want to teach again, but still, it's sad.

"This is our last class, and I just wanted to say it's been a pleasure teaching you," I've said to my last classes. "I've had lots of fun and I've hope you learned a lot.... I won't forget you."