2021-04-12 【Aiden in English】 〖Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.〗 Shielding my eyes from the scorching sunlight, I walked past a dusty soccer field, watching young, barefooted children kick around a battered leather ball, straps flapping around the dirt. Situated in the goalpost's shade, a mother sat breastfeeding a baby. Later that night, sinking into a fluffy, clean cruise ship mattress after indulging in pistachio ice cream served in a cocktail glass, I laughed at how silly my problems were. In the summer of my freshman year, I decided to do something about my life and make a contribution to society. I documented my travels through daily blog posts, introducing the world to those who could not see it for themselves, and developing my writing skills through the rigorous practice of running the page. As time passed and I saw other Chinese Americans struggling with their second language, I realized that I could do even more. This led me to start an English writing class for elementary students at a local Chinese school.
On the first day of class, breathing deeply to calm my nerves, I walked into a near-empty classroom. Even though a majority of seats remained vacant, the room felt ripe with tension. For many of the students, writing symbolized a Sisyphean task impeding their education. Understanding their predicament from my experiences in starting my blog, I often emphasized the fluidity of words and the beauty of creation— that anything is possible with writing and the only barrier is your imagination.
After a particular Sunday lesson, a student asked me to stay behind after class. I nodded, expecting him to demonstrate some wild concoction brewed from the ever-mysterious fourth-grade brain; instead, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a shy request for private lessons. Never expecting such enthusiasm for composition, I accepted, happy to help. In our short time together, I didn’t foresee such attitude shifts towards writing; this first student would not be the last kid who nervously asked for extra tutelage, and I complied with each request without hesitation.
My in-person tutoring endeavors ended abruptly at the start of 2020, as COVID-19 spread across the globe; however, I did not intend to let myself return to my previous placid state. I opened an online writing course, where I held private tutoring sessions and group classes for my students and any other aspiring writers.
During this period, I invested more time than ever before into my teaching. Some days, I would spend five, six, or even seven hours on Zoom calls with students, working until my voice became hoarse and my lips were dry from talking. In these profound times of disconnect, I asked my students to write on topics regarding life experiences and personal philosophies. One student detailed a traumatic memory of his childhood friend tripping him and accidentally breaking his arm. Feeling “betrayed by my friend,” he noted that the experience led to the development of severe trust issues in his early teenage years.
Over a private lesson, I asked if he was doing better now. He laughed it off and told me that it felt great to finally lift this weight from his shoulders. I laughed with him, happy for his recovery, only later realizing that I had been the first person he’d expressed himself to. That night, falling onto my fluffy, clean mattress, I began to truly understand the impact of words and expression. I discovered that every individual can help each other, and by reaching out to others and learning their stories, we can work together to make the world a better place.
【红霞译文】
〖一些学生的背景、身份、兴趣或才能非同寻常，成为申请大学不可或缺的组成部分。如果你感同身受，那么请分享你的故事。〗
炙人的骄阳挡住了视线，我走过尘土飞扬的足球场，眼见一帮孩童光着脚围着破烂皮球踢来踢去，泥地四周绳带乱舞，一位妈妈坐在球门柱阴凉处正母乳喂养婴儿。那天晚上，当饱餐完鸡尾酒杯里开心果冰淇淋之后，我躺在松软干净的游轮床铺上，不觉笑自己何其天真幼稚。
高一暑假时，我决定干点实事，权作为社会做贡献。在此之前，我曾通过博客形式发表过旅行日记，将环游世界的所见所闻介绍给那些尚无身临其境的读者，借助实践性严格训练加速提高写作水平。随着时间流逝，当发觉不少美籍华裔同胞深为二外苦恼，我意识到自己当该有所作为。就这样，我开始为本地中文学校小学生开设英语写作课。
开课第一天，我先做深呼吸用以缓解焦虑情绪，然后才走进空若无人的教室，尽管大多数座位都闲着，房间里依然充满紧张气氛。对于许多学生而言，写作代表永没尽头而又徒劳无功的任务，有损课业成绩，基于撰写博客的经历，我真切理解他们内心苦恼。我经常强调文字流畅性和创作美感——写作固然千变万化，关键之处还在于个人的想象力。
某个星期天放学之余，班上有位学生要我课后稍留片刻，我点了点头，揣摩着四年级小鬼到底会耍什么把戏，然而出乎意料地，他不好意思地请我做私教，这让我喜出望外，毕竟助人乃我快乐之本，只不过在彼此短暂接触中，我从未期待他会对写作转变看法，况且这个打破先例的学生并非最后一个难为情要求补习的孩子，我欣然接受各个要求。
随着2019年冠状肺炎病毒疫情遍及全球，课堂面对面教授传统于2020年初戛然而止，但我不想就此罢休。于是，我开设了在线写作课程，为学生及其他怀揣抱负的写手们实施私人辅导和举行分组补习班。
期间，我在教学上投入了比以往更多的时间，有时候花上五、六甚至七个钟头，通过“聚焦”视频对学生进行网上授课，直到我口干舌燥说不出话来为止。在这段保持社交距离的特殊日子里，我要求学生用文字探讨一些有关生活经历和人生哲学的话题，勾起一名学生创伤记忆，他详尽描述儿时朋友给他下绊，害得意外摔断了手臂，感觉惨遭“朋友背叛”，他指出，这种经历让刚步入青少年阶段的他失去了对外界的信任。 单独辅导课上，我问他心情是否有所好转，他笑着告诉我终于卸下了肩上包袱。我与他相视而乐，由衷地为其康复感到快慰，直到后来我才意识到自己竟是第一个知情者。那天晚上，我躺在松软干净的床铺上，开始真正理解文字表达的魅力所在，人与人之间可以互相帮助，只有加强交流才能了解对方。大家需要共同努力，让世界变得更加美好。
Today in History(历史上的今天):
2016: Courtesy Call @ Costco(好市多免费商品) 2013: 中年庆生(Mid-Age Celebration) 2011: 埃及首都开罗(Capital Cairo, Egypt) 2009: 春意芳菲(Sprung Spring)  Routine Dental Checkup & Cleaning @ North Penn Pediatric Dental
(北宾州儿科牙医诊所·常规牙检与洗牙 12/14/2020)
Crosslink(相关博文):
12th Grade(高中四年级) |
