February 13, 2008 - Another post left unpublished.
My job in China is now teaching English. Yesterday I taught an “English Corner” about kayaking. An English Corner is supposed to be giving the students a topic they are comfortable talking about but kayaking is brand new to all of them. It wasn’t a “good” topic for English Corner as it had me talking far more than all of the students combined. I did get them to ask a lot of questions and this challenged some of their vocabulary. English Corners usually last for one hour and sometimes our topics bore them and we loose students early, my classes yesterday ran late with students hanging around to hear more. My students are 17 and up. Some older adults, most are 19 to late-20s.
My enthusiasm for kayaking doesn’t allow me to do anything half hearted. Hours before class started, I carried both of my kayaks into school yesterday morning. I brought in my 24.5″ LCD panel and laptop. I had a great setup! My creek boat was in the back of class standing in the corner with my extra skirt, PFD, helmet and paddle. At the front center was the LCD running the “Shop Loop” from the Jackson Kayak DVD. I put my river runner on the stage at the front of the class along with extra gear.
I entered class just moments before it was to start. I was decked out in my semi-dry pants and semi-dry shorty top. I had my PFD, skirt and helmet on. The helmet was a huge hit! No one noticed it was my name on the front as well as the USA flag till I mentioned it. I only stayed in my gear for 10 minutes, the heat was killing me. Once I was down to my base layer, hydro-skin shirt, it was soaking wet with sweat. Thanks mom & sis for the extra supply of deodorant!
I spent about 240 RMB (about $33) to have 5 sets of vocabulary printed. I had color photos from one of my kayaking DVDs, made by NOC called, “The Kayaker’s Toolbox.” It is a great DVD for beginners and has proven useful for myself in cleaning up some of my own bad habits. So I taught them many new words; bow, stern, hull, grab loops, midwall, seat, knee brace, etc… I explained about the six categories of rivers and answered the “Is it dangerous?” questions, with a question, “Are you going to try that your first time in a kayak?” and pointed at the LCD where EJ or family was dropping off a waterfall. I explained that I only paddle what I am comfortable paddling. Many times they asked “Can you do that?” and pointed at the screen. If it was playboating I admitted that I haven’t learned how to playboat much yet but if it was a waterfall of 5 meters or less I’d say, “Yeah, I can do that, it’s easy.” 
“Portage” was a hard word to translate but some of the advanced students finally understood my meaning and translated for the rest of the class. I pulled out my throw bags and sent them sailing across class (after translating the word HELP!). I tried to explain the joke that some kayakers will introduce themselves as, “Hi I’m Chuck, but I also respond to Help.” They didn’t get it… bad joke I suppose. I pulled a First Aid kit out of my dry bag (and after having learned “drytop” & “dry pants” they named “dry bag” off quickly) and discussed more about safety. They opened my first aid kit up curiously. I was sure to buy mine before I left America, I didn’t want to buy one and not be able to read the labels on the packets.
My English Corner was packed, I had 25 or 30 students the first class and I had people standing in the second class. It brought me a lot of joy to talk about something I am so passionate about! I could see they were all still curious afterwards. One lady in the class stayed late to talk to me, asking when I will go to the lake again. She told me she is a doctor. I had asked earlier during the class wanting to make a joke but she had kept quiet; the students are often shy to be called upon. Anyway, who better to teach to kayak with you than a doctor? That’ll be two lady doctors I’m friends with and interested in kayaking. They are cute to boot! I really gotta buy more boats, smaller ones too!
I will teach the same English Corner on Saturday. I’ve got a couple of ideas about how to improve it for those classes. Did I tell y’all how much I enjoy my job?
Thanks to Jackson Kayak for mailing me the DVD & Sticker. It was sitting here in China waiting for me when I arrived back in September (because I registered on this website with my Chinese address). I didn’t find it until this week when I started digging through all of my gear and getting ready for the English Corner. Sweet guys & gals! Thanks!
PS: Since I wrote this in Feb, I’ve taught this English Corner 3 more times and it was a big hit each time.
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