Angela had one student in particular who was always negative - this wasn't good enough, this was terrible, etc. He also viewed his English skills as inadequate. After encouraging him many times to meet some of his neighbors and try their food (before this he was always complaining about how the Malaysian's weren't nice and their food wasn't good), he finally met some neighbors. He said he and his wife went over to a neighbor's house and had a good time. Now, he is in a much better mood about being in Malaysia in general...
Matt's only student is quite advanced in English. She works hard and really learns quickly. She is still in high school, and is still very dependant on her parents. Also, her parents don't seen to always acknowledge her skills. Today being the last teaching day, Matt finished the material and spent the last 45 minutes of class saying she did a good job, etc. After that, he encouraged her to never give up her dreams - just because others maybe say she can't do something, not to let that hold her back. After that, he played the song "Dreamin'" (below) and had her fill in all the verbs. After the song, they talked about the meaning. By the end, her response was, "I'm going to cry." with a smile - as she was almost in tears...
So, when you think that a simple encouragement doesn't do much, try it and see. Perhaps you will be surprised.
In other news, we're going away to Cameron Highlands (see below) for the weekend!
Shaded Red - Dreamin'
Don't sway, don't break
Don't fall, don't quake
Don't speak, don't run
Don't cry, just trust
Don't fall, don't quake
Don't speak, don't run
Don't cry, just trust
Trust your heart, feel it now, feel it now
Trust your heart, reach it now, reach it now
Don't stop dreamin'
When it all comes down
Don't leave, don't shake
Don't crawl, don't fake
Don't shy, don't shun
Don't fear, just trust
Trust your heart, feel it now, feel it now
Trust your heart, reach it now, reach it now
Don't stop dreamin'
When it all comes down