I was very happy today because I found a useful software to help my student learn Chinese characters. Writing characters is a tough task for foreign students. Clay(my student)also meets the same problem. He doesn’t know how to write characters correctly and can’t memorize them. Chinese characters are new to him. As his tutor, I have the responsibility to help him solve this problem.
I’ve been thinking about it for several weeks. Yesterday, I found a software program called TalkAndWrite which supports drawing pictures and characters in a Skype window. The interface is clear and the operation of it is simple. I was very excited when I found it. The first hint came into my mind was that I should use it to teach Clay characters. But I’m not sure whether it’s good enough for me to use it because I need to use the mouse to write characters. I’m only used to writing them with pen. My online tutor Philip suggested I use a graphic pad. I am exploring this possibility. I will spend some time looking for more effective methods to apply in my teaching.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
My Online Australian Tutor
I think I am a lucky guy. I met a great teacher online,Philip.He is a retired Australian man with an interest in talking with people from all over the world. Via more than a half year’s communication, his teaching abilities and personal qualities have madea deep impression on me.
When we first talked, I was very nervous and didn’t know what to say. It was my first time to talk with native English speaker.Although I had been learning English for several years, I still lacked confidence of myself. But Philip was kind and patient and encouraged me to talk as much as possible. What's more, he sends me lots of useful information to help me learn more about western society and culture. I appreciate his rich knowledge, good sense of humor , talktiveness and positive attitude towards life. I have learned a lot from him.
Nowadays, we communicate regularly online. I feel very comfortable to talk with him. It strikes me that he has a magic power that assists our conversation to flow. We have various topics to talk about and talk happily. But sometimes he is also strict with me, at least I have that feeling, pushing me to do more work by myself. Anyway,many chinese people believe that only strict teachers can teach students well.
When we first talked, I was very nervous and didn’t know what to say. It was my first time to talk with native English speaker.Although I had been learning English for several years, I still lacked confidence of myself. But Philip was kind and patient and encouraged me to talk as much as possible. What's more, he sends me lots of useful information to help me learn more about western society and culture. I appreciate his rich knowledge, good sense of humor , talktiveness and positive attitude towards life. I have learned a lot from him.
Nowadays, we communicate regularly online. I feel very comfortable to talk with him. It strikes me that he has a magic power that assists our conversation to flow. We have various topics to talk about and talk happily. But sometimes he is also strict with me, at least I have that feeling, pushing me to do more work by myself. Anyway,many chinese people believe that only strict teachers can teach students well.
Monday, December 1, 2008
The ideal life for ancient Chinese writers
On the bus to my teaching place, I was thinking a lot. Looking at the scenery passing by, the images of traditional ancient chinese poets and writers came into my mind. In ancient China,many of them wanted to live in a beautiful and quiet place where no people would disturb them. Their ideal environment was a place surrounded by trees and flowers where you could immerse themselves in nature. All they would hear was the sounds of the universe.They pursued a natural and simple life.
But it's interesting that most of these writers pursued a simple life after they failed to achieve success in politics.Ancient Chinese writers aimed to be successful in politics and wanted to be officers in the government. It seems that the best career for them was being an officer. But many of them couldn’t realise their dreams. After that failure, they turned to seeking a simple life close to nature. I think many of them understood that the meaning of life was not just to be officers. we can be content if we learn to accept "a simpler life".
But it's interesting that most of these writers pursued a simple life after they failed to achieve success in politics.Ancient Chinese writers aimed to be successful in politics and wanted to be officers in the government. It seems that the best career for them was being an officer. But many of them couldn’t realise their dreams. After that failure, they turned to seeking a simple life close to nature. I think many of them understood that the meaning of life was not just to be officers. we can be content if we learn to accept "a simpler life".
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