Editor’s Note: Perhaps most of us have chatted with our students about their lives under Covid 19. Seldom, though, have we seen them expressed in writing. We continue to publish selected writings from the students of an ESL teacher in our midst, submitted in their knowledge and with their permission. Let’s hear the voice of some in this precious group.
Shijie
“The ESL online course has brought me a brand new experience which I never expected. This is the first time I have studied online and I didn’t know how to do it. I was worried. My ESL teacher taught us how to do it. She also conducted online tutoring in the afternoon, so that each student can gradually master online teaching skills.
“Online classes are not as good as the physical class. Students like me are inclined to be lazy or sneak off but my teacher made me expect to learn something new every day. Now my English is gradually getting better. It is fascinating, but can be frustrating sometimes. I will feel disappointed if there is no class. Some people are getting crazy or lazy or bored at home. I am not to regard it as right. The interaction between my classmates and teacher is very active. I exchange the learning content with my wife and son, which is also a very pleasant thing. Sometimes when I meet my neighbors, I would also use a few slang words that I had just learnt. It makes me happy.
“I thank the school board for having online classes! Thanks to such a nice teacher who can teach us conscientiously, and make me feel able to integrate into Canadian life.”
Ben
“Every morning we hear this online from our ESL teacher: “Good Morning Everyone! How are you doing?” During this Covid19 period, we have to stay home. School closed. My ESL teacher started online class and we had live classes every morning! We can see our teacher and see each other; we can hear each other and discuss interesting questions in Breakout Rooms. Trying to use Quizlet and Edpuzzle and learning new words. We learn about reading responses, observations, insights, inferences, connections, and opinions. We learn about Avatars, media bias, social media. All of our classmates are excited and joyful. Everyday our teacher spent more time preparing for online class than normal class. We all love her class very much. We are active and positive.”