Team  172, Xi’an China, March 29 through April 18, 2009

Global Volunteers

First Day of Teaching

This was our first day of teaching.  Unfortunately, Nan fell ill and was unable to teach.  Wes and Annette picked up the students that Nan was supposed to have so everything worked out OK.

 

We were impressed by the reception that we had upon arrival at the school.  Forty students and the school president were waiting at the school entrance.  Following welcoming speeches we went to the school president’s office for a short discussion.  Then we went for a short orientation in the Foreign Affair’s office.

 

Both Annette and Wes did introductions followed by free-form questions and answers.  We were impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and the helpfulness of the teachers.  The students were all members of the English club, so are probably the most advanced and enthusiastic at the school.

 

We were treated like rock stars.  Most students had a camera or a cell phone and wanted to have their picture taken with the new English teachers.  It was great fun!  We look forward to teaching the regular class tomorrow.

 

After class the three of us walked to central Xi’an and visited the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower.  Since the laundry was on the way to the towers, Wes took a bag of laundry to drop off.  Unfortunately, the laundry was closed.  A bystander said that there was another laundry about 300 meters further down the street.  This one was no where to be found.  Therefore, Wes took his laundry on a tour of the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower.  It is reported that his dirty socks enjoyed dancing to the drum performance.

 

Submitted by Wes

The Drum Tower in central Xi’an.

Date: 03/30/2009

Annette with two students.

Wes with his class.