Yesterday marked my first 60-minute presentation at a language teacher conference. How I worked myself up for that workshop! I consulted good friends, my good boss, my dedicated protege, and my dear husband. It's so hard to trust yourself to do something for the first time. Is it like when our students give their first full-length presentation in Chinese in our class? Probably. I felt naked and elementary at the same time.
Thanks to my teachers at Chinese school who drove me and supported me along the journey to give my first workshop in ENGLISH, it went remarkably well. It was a presentation on how we use 21st-Century skills in our language classrooms. I started with a little background, gave a few examples of activities I do in class that require 21st-Century skills, and ended with some tidbits. It turned out to be a really interactive and well-received workshop after all.
I had a few participants who don't teach Chinese. It's surprising how people really stick to their own designated language at conferences, even thought my talk and activities are entirely in English. I am glad a few non-Chinese teachers joined us. They seemed to really enjoy the workshop during which they were asked to give instructions about cooking, figure out one's mystery nationality and ask about different people's favorite foods. My fan club of Chinese teachers (bless you) were not only participating in the activities -- they were asking many, many questions about the implementation of various activities. I thank you for your inquiring minds and support.
Today, I went to Chinese school with a spring in my steps, losing an hour last night, but with plenty of chirping birds in the moist morning air, and a big smile on my face. I took on my class of first graders ready to learn some more from my little curious friends.
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