Storytelling

It's been a very good week indeed with a few, albeit fewer, obstacles being hurled in my face.

I've offered to organise interest classes/activities afterschool and during holidays, so I'm really fired up about that.

Went to visit the Igo Club, it's been a couple of months, and met two absolutely hilarious boys. I don't always understand what they're saying, but it's always hard to keep a straight face. My igo 'skills' have seriously deteriorated, but all the members (3 boys) have been helpful if a little unserious and totally lacking in English speaking skills.

Last week I was invited by the school library for the first time to read today. Resources were inadequate, I had to make do with this tiny collection of aging children's books, and the best I could find was a retelling of Brothers Grimms' Litttle Red Riding Hood... which to me, wasn't a confident choice. I was afraid these Junior High School students would think it was below them, that it was elementary school level, for babies, but I had no other alternative. It was so difficult choosing a book, it had to suit the low English level of the students and it had to be of interest to this age group. Today, before the reading, I had butterflies in my stomach, I was extremely nervous, and it was my first time reading to young adults, and I was going to read to them as if they were in kindergarten... but it went surprisingly well.

The response was beyond expectation. Out of 35 listeners, I was specifically mentioned in 26 of the feedback sheets, and they were all positive responses. Obviously, the majority of students (and teachers) did not fully understand, but the fact that they found it interesting and enjoyed my story-telling has seriously made my day.

Now off to Japanese lessons ;)