Okay, so it was my first time teaching a class in the "Flying without wings" course. And to tell the truth I have never instructed a class before. I have some tutoring experience in hand but it's obviously not very the same.
On Monday evening, before the first class, Vu told me that the part that we were going through was not very complicated, so after he taught the first class, perhaps I could try teaching the second one. I was not prepared for that so I was a bit surprised. But I knew that he was trying to help me. So I took note seriously during his class, and jotted down every information that I found useful.
As the second class would take place in the next evening, I spent the day following preparing the program for my class. The topic was about habit change. I had a lot of experience in this, so we both agreed that I could provide the students with interesting stories and examples. Vu already gave the program, so it was easier for me. But I also did some research, checked again my materials to see if anything I could supplement to this topic. Then I searched and noted down the tips for first time teachers, then tried to think of the relevant examples for each point in the class.
A good thing throughout the preparation is that I was not nervous. Previously before any public speaking events or programs, my heart would bound crazily and be filled with anxiety every time I thought about the time I went on stage. But this time I found myself calm and relaxed. Because I found new technique. It was really useful. The morning before the class, I made a speech to myself about the reasons why I needed to conduct this class. Then whenever I felt afraid I would whispered: "Okay Fear, listen. I am going to do a new thing, to get out of my comfort zone again. And I know that you're gonna join me. But I am not going to let you drive. I will be the driver on this journey, and Story - Telling, and Confidence, and Joy will be the navigators at the front seat with me. You are only allowed to take the back seat. If you take the wheel then you will drive us all to hell. I know you want to warn me, to give me the caution. And you will sometimes trick the brain and do silly things. But your place is in the back seat, so enjoy the ride". Then every time I felt my heartbeat raising, I would take a step back and talked out loud: "Don't worry Fear, I don't ignore you, I do reckon you. You're a part of me, but you're not all of me. And you will have your fair share, so be calm. Of course we will make mistake, of course things will not be perfect. That's okay. Now don't alarm me about that, let us find the way to eliminate the mistakes".
What I found out was that this technique really helped me. We usually say: "I'm afraid. I'm so nervous". We think we are coward and shy and fearful. But we are not. That's just Fear inside of us who is speaking up. But don't identify Fear as ourselves. Inside of us there are also Joy, and Creativity, and Courage, and Confidence, and many other characters that we can think of. So when Fear speaks up, just recognize it and calm it down. And another thing I figured out that we're often panicked because we're afraid of failing, of mistake. But of course we will make mistakes if we try new things. So if we recognize that and just do it anyway, then things will be alright.
The whole day went so fast and in the twinkling of an eye I was in front of the class. At the beginning of each class Vu would do something fun to boost the energy, but I didn't really know what to say so it was a bit quiet at first. Then I started some small talk and the atmosphere was a bit better, then I began. My face was hot, I knew I was blushing but I couldn't help it. Some students looked at me with curiosity, and I went a bit wary. But I continued and told my students some traveling stories relating to the topic. And people were more engaged. Then before I knew it, I became more and more fluent and lively, and people started to laugh, and I asked students to join the discussions and raised many questions, and the students shared their stories and contributed their ideas. At some points, they were so excited and engaged into conversations. My mom was especially very lively and talkative, and was more childish than any other student. I had to stopped her sometimes. But in general, I found the students really like my stories, especially the story about my childhood, how I went from a public - confident person to a shy coyly one.
Two hours went and I ended the class with ease. I thought that if I talked for two hours, I would be exhausted, but it turned out that I was not very tired and I actually really enjoyed the whole time instructing. At the end, Vu gave some adjustments, differences between habits and cultures. He also commented that he was so surprised with my performance and felt proud of that. Everyone gave me a big applause and we exchanged free hugs and went home.
Vu has noted down my program and commented there. He also helped to give me a detailed feedback for me to improve. He said that I did a good job, easy to understand, clear structure, good interation with the class. Performance 8/10, my voice has good volume, stress and pauses, good stories and examples.
Of course my class was not perfect, and here are some points for me to improve:
- Needed a better start. Find more ways to begin the class.
- Sometimes my body language was quite stiff, one hand under the other's elbow.
- Reduce time looking at the program.
- I didn't react and handle some of the students' questions very well. For example: Tram told that she yawned so many times, more than she wanted. I should have suggested that it would maybe because she didn't exercise much so she didn't feel very energetic. Or the part in which Tu asked for the motivation of the habits.
Vu's comments:
- Class management. Sometimes other students and my mom interfered too much.
- Feel free to continue the class when it's in good flow regardless of the time.
- More examples than necessary.
But in general we both felt good, I was confident and conveyed the knowledge well. I just need more experience then my skill will improve.
Then we went back home, Phan Phi called me and told some people of the trekking group were jamming near my place. So I went there and joined them. We drank a bit (they drank beer, I drank water), and had some porridge, and sang together while Khoa was playing guitar. The atmosphere was so cool, good friend, good food, good songs. Uunder the yellow light, near a bush of green trees, and the smell of Chinese honeysuckle, my favorite flower. A perfect way to end a busy day.
On Monday evening, before the first class, Vu told me that the part that we were going through was not very complicated, so after he taught the first class, perhaps I could try teaching the second one. I was not prepared for that so I was a bit surprised. But I knew that he was trying to help me. So I took note seriously during his class, and jotted down every information that I found useful.
As the second class would take place in the next evening, I spent the day following preparing the program for my class. The topic was about habit change. I had a lot of experience in this, so we both agreed that I could provide the students with interesting stories and examples. Vu already gave the program, so it was easier for me. But I also did some research, checked again my materials to see if anything I could supplement to this topic. Then I searched and noted down the tips for first time teachers, then tried to think of the relevant examples for each point in the class.
A good thing throughout the preparation is that I was not nervous. Previously before any public speaking events or programs, my heart would bound crazily and be filled with anxiety every time I thought about the time I went on stage. But this time I found myself calm and relaxed. Because I found new technique. It was really useful. The morning before the class, I made a speech to myself about the reasons why I needed to conduct this class. Then whenever I felt afraid I would whispered: "Okay Fear, listen. I am going to do a new thing, to get out of my comfort zone again. And I know that you're gonna join me. But I am not going to let you drive. I will be the driver on this journey, and Story - Telling, and Confidence, and Joy will be the navigators at the front seat with me. You are only allowed to take the back seat. If you take the wheel then you will drive us all to hell. I know you want to warn me, to give me the caution. And you will sometimes trick the brain and do silly things. But your place is in the back seat, so enjoy the ride". Then every time I felt my heartbeat raising, I would take a step back and talked out loud: "Don't worry Fear, I don't ignore you, I do reckon you. You're a part of me, but you're not all of me. And you will have your fair share, so be calm. Of course we will make mistake, of course things will not be perfect. That's okay. Now don't alarm me about that, let us find the way to eliminate the mistakes".
What I found out was that this technique really helped me. We usually say: "I'm afraid. I'm so nervous". We think we are coward and shy and fearful. But we are not. That's just Fear inside of us who is speaking up. But don't identify Fear as ourselves. Inside of us there are also Joy, and Creativity, and Courage, and Confidence, and many other characters that we can think of. So when Fear speaks up, just recognize it and calm it down. And another thing I figured out that we're often panicked because we're afraid of failing, of mistake. But of course we will make mistakes if we try new things. So if we recognize that and just do it anyway, then things will be alright.
The whole day went so fast and in the twinkling of an eye I was in front of the class. At the beginning of each class Vu would do something fun to boost the energy, but I didn't really know what to say so it was a bit quiet at first. Then I started some small talk and the atmosphere was a bit better, then I began. My face was hot, I knew I was blushing but I couldn't help it. Some students looked at me with curiosity, and I went a bit wary. But I continued and told my students some traveling stories relating to the topic. And people were more engaged. Then before I knew it, I became more and more fluent and lively, and people started to laugh, and I asked students to join the discussions and raised many questions, and the students shared their stories and contributed their ideas. At some points, they were so excited and engaged into conversations. My mom was especially very lively and talkative, and was more childish than any other student. I had to stopped her sometimes. But in general, I found the students really like my stories, especially the story about my childhood, how I went from a public - confident person to a shy coyly one.
Two hours went and I ended the class with ease. I thought that if I talked for two hours, I would be exhausted, but it turned out that I was not very tired and I actually really enjoyed the whole time instructing. At the end, Vu gave some adjustments, differences between habits and cultures. He also commented that he was so surprised with my performance and felt proud of that. Everyone gave me a big applause and we exchanged free hugs and went home.
Vu has noted down my program and commented there. He also helped to give me a detailed feedback for me to improve. He said that I did a good job, easy to understand, clear structure, good interation with the class. Performance 8/10, my voice has good volume, stress and pauses, good stories and examples.
Of course my class was not perfect, and here are some points for me to improve:
- Needed a better start. Find more ways to begin the class.
- Sometimes my body language was quite stiff, one hand under the other's elbow.
- Reduce time looking at the program.
- I didn't react and handle some of the students' questions very well. For example: Tram told that she yawned so many times, more than she wanted. I should have suggested that it would maybe because she didn't exercise much so she didn't feel very energetic. Or the part in which Tu asked for the motivation of the habits.
Vu's comments:
- Class management. Sometimes other students and my mom interfered too much.
- Feel free to continue the class when it's in good flow regardless of the time.
- More examples than necessary.
But in general we both felt good, I was confident and conveyed the knowledge well. I just need more experience then my skill will improve.
Then we went back home, Phan Phi called me and told some people of the trekking group were jamming near my place. So I went there and joined them. We drank a bit (they drank beer, I drank water), and had some porridge, and sang together while Khoa was playing guitar. The atmosphere was so cool, good friend, good food, good songs. Uunder the yellow light, near a bush of green trees, and the smell of Chinese honeysuckle, my favorite flower. A perfect way to end a busy day.
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