Never, never give up.

I have a part time job in Jordan’s Language School in Tamshui. I have been an English teacher there for about one month, and I have noticed that one of my girls in the class, Rita, sometimes glances at peers’ answer when we have exams or exercises in class, and she doesn’t seem to like English. And another junior high boy, Harry, is always late for our class because he wants to stay at school to play basketball with his friends. I am not particularly angry at Rita for cheating in the exam and at Harry for his being late, because I think it is understandable that kids who went to a cram school might not to be really interested in learning English (it’s possible that their parents forced them to join an extra class after school). However, I still want to make some efforts to help these two kids to feel interested or a little bit happier in learning. Hence, I made two phone calls to their parents respectively last Wednesday to try to understand these kids’ learning situation, and I felt so sad after I talked to those parents.

Both of them (Rita and Harry’s moms) told me that they are too busy to pay attention to their kids. To be angry with kids’ grades will be harmful to their health. The tone they talked was so desperate and indifferent, like they have already given up their children. “No. Never, never give up.” I said to them. And this is the only thing I could say to them because I was so angry at that time.

I can not image this! If the attitude of the parents was so negative, how could we ask their children to be positive! Now, it’s only language learning, but after, it’s their life. Are they going to lead their life without any enthusiasm? Are they going to look at the world dispiritedly? I am worried.

I haven’t come up with a perfect idea to solve this problem, but I am trying. For kids, I think I will set a good example with my own conduct, for instance, to show students that learning can be fun and meaningful. But how? I have to think about it and plan it carefully. Besides, communication with parents would be necessary, too. I know I am not good at talking to parents, therefore, I need more time to convince them that their children can be good and confident if parents can approve their children and help children to build up confidence.
Anyway, no one should give up things that they even have not tried. Do your best, then you feel no qualm upon yourselves, no matter for students, parents, or teachers.