English corner

I just came back from my first English corner. This can look different, but tonight it was an organized event put on by the students. They invited 3 foreign teachers and any student who wanted to practice his/her English. The room's capacity was maybe 60. We definitely had at least 80..maybe 100 packed in there.

We were asked before it started if we could say a few things about the topic: growing pains and happiness. You may be wondering what that phrase means....so were we! But, we pulled something together, and of course made it deep so they would think about it. :)

Then we gathered into groups (of like 30..) and they could ask us any question. Nothing too unusual. The usuals include: what do you think of China? why did you come here? how is China different from America? (haha)

Then there were lots of games and singing. This is where the cultural amazement struck me. When the emcee asked if anyone would like to stand and sing, there was only 5 seconds of awkward silence before someone volunteered. A-capella. Then another. Then a third. Can you imagine this in America? We'd say, "nuh uh! You ain't makin me do anything!" But they don't see it as something scary. Their culture loves karaoke. So, knowing this, we foreign teachers got up and sang "you are my sunshine". And they loved it. Hilarious.

And of course, throughout the entire time, pictures and videos were being taken of our every move. Not to boast, but we really do have a taste of what celebrities experience. Except no one has hid in a bush to snap a pic...yet. :)