Eight years.
That was 8 long years in this school. For the past years, I've witnessed how students just came and left -- and were buried into oblivion.
This fact never made me feel bad before. In the past, I didn't even mind seeing my students graduate. After all, students are meant to leave school to face the real world. And I didn't hang out with students. I saw them in classroom -- that was it. I never had casual conversation with them , no texting then, no calling, no e-mail, no blog, nothing. Just plain teaching. I never even had a chance to know all the names of my students then. I just knew their faces but I couldn't label those faces with their names. It was a shame on my part, I absolutely agree!
But things have changed. Now, I have a "sad feeling" whenever a student leaves -- but of course, it also depends on the kind of students.
There are two possible reasons for this feeling. And this is based only on my personal experience.
I started feeling this way when I started to have Korean students. I've had over 20 who came and left. When they went back to Korea, I had communication with them for a week or a month -- usually right after they left -- but after a while, I hear nothing about them anymore. I realize perhaps they couldn't really keep in touch using a foreign language. Maybe.
I remember this group who became my students in Authentic Comm. for 4 months (9 hours a week). I had fun with them and they were the first Koreans who acquainted me with Korean culture. Sadly, I don't remember their Korean names but I won't forget their English names : (from left to right) Terry, Nick, Cris, Apollo and Liel. One of them was not in the picture. Her English name is Princess. I blogged about them H E R E.
I also had Julia for several months before she left for Canada to have further studies. Julia is such a sweet young lass who learns English fast. I met her at ILI. In this picture, Julia is with Charles (also my student till now). Check out Charles' English blog ON THIS SITE.
Well, of course there are also ABMC students who became really close to me. This batch was the first who made me realize the value of teaching and the sadness of saying "farewell" during graduation ceremonies.
ABMC Batch 2006 -- they were my students for several semesters. That was why I learned to like and appreciate them, the way that they, I hope, appreciated all my effort for them. Fortunately, I still see them through Friendster till now. I'm glad they're all happy with their jobs now.
Last month, one of my Korean students at ILI went back home after spending 7 months of 9-hour-a-week class with me. He is Lee Ki-bok. His English name is Daniel.
Next month, another Korean student that I have is also going back home. Kei (the one on the right) is leaving for good. He's been my student for more or less 5 months. I'll surely miss this guy who was the first to accept a three-day-English-only challenge I've given him.
The goodbyes are not about to end. On April next year, ABMC Batch 2008 is graduating. When they graduate, I think my closeness with students will also end.
This batch is hard to duplicate. I've seen them transform and become more matured individuals. I've witnessed how they worked together for a common good . I've trusted them and they didn't fail me. Even if they don't know this, their graduation is also my fulfillment.
Also, there can never be another Myk who chose to listen even when he didn't have to. I guess he's one of the few good memories I have in this school. It's hard to admit this, sometimes, but it's even harder to deny this... I wish I don't have to ask myself why. He's underrated but he's tough. He rarely speaks but he always thinks -- and when he does, he does it critically. I'm so glad he's starting to get out of his nutshell... I'm sure he can be more successful than what he imagines himself to be.
And of course, how can I forget the only BSN student who is on my never-to-forget list? I call him the Evil Genius (I got this idea and the pic from his blog). He was the one who (without him knowing it) taught me how to create a web log. He was my student in English 2 and 4. I won't forget his sarcasm, his writing prowess and his brilliant mind. I wish I could personally congratulate him on his graduation day.
That was 8 long years in this school. For the past years, I've witnessed how students just came and left -- and were buried into oblivion.
This fact never made me feel bad before. In the past, I didn't even mind seeing my students graduate. After all, students are meant to leave school to face the real world. And I didn't hang out with students. I saw them in classroom -- that was it. I never had casual conversation with them , no texting then, no calling, no e-mail, no blog, nothing. Just plain teaching. I never even had a chance to know all the names of my students then. I just knew their faces but I couldn't label those faces with their names. It was a shame on my part, I absolutely agree!
But things have changed. Now, I have a "sad feeling" whenever a student leaves -- but of course, it also depends on the kind of students.
There are two possible reasons for this feeling. And this is based only on my personal experience.
I started feeling this way when I started to have Korean students. I've had over 20 who came and left. When they went back to Korea, I had communication with them for a week or a month -- usually right after they left -- but after a while, I hear nothing about them anymore. I realize perhaps they couldn't really keep in touch using a foreign language. Maybe.
I remember this group who became my students in Authentic Comm. for 4 months (9 hours a week). I had fun with them and they were the first Koreans who acquainted me with Korean culture. Sadly, I don't remember their Korean names but I won't forget their English names : (from left to right) Terry, Nick, Cris, Apollo and Liel. One of them was not in the picture. Her English name is Princess. I blogged about them H E R E.
I also had Julia for several months before she left for Canada to have further studies. Julia is such a sweet young lass who learns English fast. I met her at ILI. In this picture, Julia is with Charles (also my student till now). Check out Charles' English blog ON THIS SITE.
Well, of course there are also ABMC students who became really close to me. This batch was the first who made me realize the value of teaching and the sadness of saying "farewell" during graduation ceremonies.
ABMC Batch 2006 -- they were my students for several semesters. That was why I learned to like and appreciate them, the way that they, I hope, appreciated all my effort for them. Fortunately, I still see them through Friendster till now. I'm glad they're all happy with their jobs now.
Last month, one of my Korean students at ILI went back home after spending 7 months of 9-hour-a-week class with me. He is Lee Ki-bok. His English name is Daniel.
Next month, another Korean student that I have is also going back home. Kei (the one on the right) is leaving for good. He's been my student for more or less 5 months. I'll surely miss this guy who was the first to accept a three-day-English-only challenge I've given him.
The goodbyes are not about to end. On April next year, ABMC Batch 2008 is graduating. When they graduate, I think my closeness with students will also end.
This batch is hard to duplicate. I've seen them transform and become more matured individuals. I've witnessed how they worked together for a common good . I've trusted them and they didn't fail me. Even if they don't know this, their graduation is also my fulfillment.Also, there can never be another Myk who chose to listen even when he didn't have to. I guess he's one of the few good memories I have in this school. It's hard to admit this, sometimes, but it's even harder to deny this... I wish I don't have to ask myself why. He's underrated but he's tough. He rarely speaks but he always thinks -- and when he does, he does it critically. I'm so glad he's starting to get out of his nutshell... I'm sure he can be more successful than what he imagines himself to be.
And of course, how can I forget the only BSN student who is on my never-to-forget list? I call him the Evil Genius (I got this idea and the pic from his blog). He was the one who (without him knowing it) taught me how to create a web log. He was my student in English 2 and 4. I won't forget his sarcasm, his writing prowess and his brilliant mind. I wish I could personally congratulate him on his graduation day.
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