English Corner 2010!

          Recently at the English corner we have had two very fun activities!  The first one we held was the “Welcome Party”, to welcome Lance, Jordan and I to Taiwan. The most recent party we had was in the spirit of Easter. 

           At the “Welcome Party” students we invited to learn more about their tutors while enjoying delicious foods. Two weeks prior to the party we set out a jar and sheets of paper in which tutees could write down any questions they would like answered by any of us exchange students.  We then answered the questions at the party in order for the students to know what they really want to know about us.  The three of us also had the idea to prepare short PowerPoint presentations to show our tutees what our lives in America were really about! We had so much wonderful food: pizza, chips, fruit, desert, and more! This was a great experience for me because it strengthened the bond between my tutees and me allowing my time with them to be more impactful for all of us.  I also know that some students are very shy and allowing them to further get to know me through these activities is a great way for them to learn to be more open with me in class.

           The last activity we had was also great. The Easter party was to celebrate a popular “Western” holiday and tradition.  It is traditional in the United States to hunt for Easter eggs filled with candy and then to paint or decorate hard boiled eggs.  Unfortunately I don’t have a good enough eye to have found a candy Easter egg, but more for the tutees! Painting the eggs was great, a little messy, but very fun. I painted three Easter eggs and took pictures to send to my mother because they happened to be the prettiest ones I have ever painted.  Along with our activities I also described to students the significance of Easter as well as why we have the traditions we do.  It was an especially fun day for me because I was able to carry out my yearly tradition of painting Easter eggs even though I am abroad!

~Rachel