Stan_ITA3

Yesterday evening (7/26) I linked up with Yao for another conversation. We seem to have conflicting schedules, so I am happy that this appointment worked out. It was also definitely the most fluid of our conversations yet. We started with some general small talk, and then she asked me some question she had prepared for me as her teacher had requested. The questions were regarding my experience as an American student. 


There were seven questions...let's see how many I can recall...

What are some challenges you face as a college student?

Have you ever had a foreign teacher? If so, what was your experience?

What expectations do you have of an instructor?


Ok...it's five in the morning and I get hit in the head a lot, so that's all I got! If I remember some others later I'll "edit" them in...


It seems as though ever since I have I began the TEFL program I have been constantly undergoing an interview process by all through all this cultural exchange. This has been a great process of self-inquiry. At a young age working in sales I learned that when someone asks you a question it requires you to do 3 things...think, decide, and respond. I think it also enables you to do another; affirm (perhaps this is synonymous with one of the other steps). Yes, I feel that every time I am asked a question, it has forced me to think, decide, respond...and that decisive response either affirms what I am feeling, or acknowledges my uncertainty. Again, what a great period of self-reflection. I can only imagine what my future travel adventures have in store for me.

I digressed a bit from my ITA session....

Yao and I also talked a bit about nutrition. She put me onto this Taiwanese formula called "GREENMAX" and though I am sure it's not "RAW," it still looks pretty dank. She likes to keep our conversations to a punctual hour, and at an hour and ten minutes she reminded me that it was running a little late! She said she would make it our for conversation on Tuesday and we wished each other farewell for the time being.

This skype session went much better than the last; in fact it proved to be a valuable conversation tool because we could send eachother links on the subjects we were discussing and we could also type through any language difficulties. So maybe this skype thing isn't so bad after all...