Wandering

The randomness of thoughts and images.

[yyzicnhkg]

Walking around in the Po - Tai Po

[yyzicnhkg]

I'm on a bus heading into the city to pick up shoes. It is foggy and a hint of rain. It feels like a dream.

I'm surrounded by people going to work. I'm not. Teaching and studying have been canceled since February. People were worried, but now things have settled into a 'regular pattern - masks, alcohol wipes, and disinfectant. There's less hysteria - less panic. It's a new normal where there is fear but a hope to return to normal.

My fears are for my students. I teach kids who at risk. Their parents don't understand how vital education is in Hong Kong. Most of the parents have their own struggles, and educating their kids is low.

How vital learning English is debatable, but in Hong Kong, it's a core subject for entering a 'band 1' school - the potential for a better future. I doubt most of my students have spoken a word since mid-January.

I'm trying. Mostly through video conferencing tools like Zoom and using WeChat. A majority of my students are in Mainland China but born in Hong Kong. I'm getting them to 'free write' - one topic and encouraging an essay or short story response. Now I'll try to get them to record some reading to help with pronunciation and to get them to talk.

There are over 350 kids at my school. I can't help them all but want to help as many as I can. The Education Department has said they hope to resume classes after Easter. I wish I had the same hope

[yyzicnhkg]

It's nice to get out and explore the city. There is a 'new normal' with people masked but feel the hysteria has died down. The prices for disinfection, masks, and alcohol have come down. They are still inflated but not reduculusly inflated. It's getting better in Hong Kong day by day.

[yyzicnhkg]

I miss Amy Winehouse

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Rest in peace Li Wenliang

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Nice truck

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Beautiful

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I love the version of this song. It is a wholesome version of a classic.

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I'm tired, stressed and unsure of where I want to go and what I want to do. Coming here, if only for a few minutes, brings a sense of calm.

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Am I a pet or a teacher?

There is a forum of Native English Teachers (NET) in Hong Kong talking about our role in the Education system. One of the commentators broke the NET teachers into two possible roles: a "cute puppy mascot (doesn't know much but awfully fun to play with), or like a work colleague with a respected skill set that they utilize to the best of their ability."

In some ways, I fit in the 'cute puppy' area. Students learn best when they want to learn either by having fun or having what they are learning relates to how they live. Most of my lessons have lots of different activities to make the time move. They have games, role-playing, group work and other things to engage the students. The local teacher is either helping me, handling the discipline and a few have no purpose in the room. Where the difference comes is outside the classroom.

A lot of Hong Kong students don't have the chance to talk enough in class, and there isn't a lot of time outside of my lessons. I try to fill the gaps during the recesses, lunch breaks and after school where possible. Generally speaking, the lower form kids, loved it. The older kids hate it since their speaking is weaker as they don’t speak as much in class. They are more afraid of making mistakes.

I want my students to get better in every way. The Hong Kong Education system is about passing tests/exams to get into a better school. It meant moving away from the 'cute puppy' role and into the role of an educator, but it has been tough as the kids see me as fun. They have a hard time switching when I switch to the 'educator role.' It is where I need to maintain discipline and bring some focus where the students struggle. It is also where I get frustrated.

The activities are still task-based and try to engage the student's interests. Keeping them on task when doing group and paired work is tough since they are not used to it in their other classes. Some teachers understand the value. They help guide this, but others can't see the value in it and do it without the same enthusiasm.

I want the things we teach were more focused on helping students be more creative than testing them on knowledge. I wish they help the students be more reflective and more compassionate for the future. Some teachers understand this. It is where I become more of a colleague. When we co-plan, we plan ways to build these into the students and try to help the students go beyond the task.

For other teachers, it is all about getting the students to the next grade if they know the knowledge or not. This is usually done in a more disciplinary role and is challenging when I want the kids to be happy.

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I love airports especially waiting for friends #hkg

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Still love this band #jpop #memories

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Weibo is China's version of Twitter. The company was beginning to block and take down all posts regarding to LGBTI. The community fought back on-line and today the company said they would stop. I just hope the fight for equality will continue on the Mainland.

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It’s been raining all day which makes for a lazy day and greener hills.

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I used to come here a lot to meet up with friends for BBQs. Since I stopped drinking, I haven't been back until today.

[longform]

A profile of Mister Rogers.

Tom Junod | Esquire | Nov 1998

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One of the best profiles I've ever read