For the last week of class, I taught my students about Christmas traditions and had them make Christmas cards. I collected all the cards and brought them with me to America. While I was home for the holidays, I distributed these cards to local nursing homes in New Jersey. These cards put a huge smile on the patients' faces and my students got such joy out of doing a good deed for others. They really put a lot of effort into these cards and their hard work shows. Here's just a sampling of their thoughtful wishes and artistic masterpieces!
 |
| Hilarious. Sorry we didn't wait for you! |
 |
| Beautiful leaves!! |
 |
| Rabbits!! |
Regardless of English ability level, every class worked diligently on this project. My lower level students made beautiful and creative cards, while my higher level classes showed off their broad vocabularies by writing long and detailed letters. Admittedly, my A-level students didn't have the prettiest cards but I was so impressed by their extensive writing skills. Below are a few of these mini-novels.
Being that it's Korea, my students, of course, drew adorable pictures and cartoons all over their cards. I wish I could've kept some of them for myself. So many of the drawings were absolutely precious.
Here are some more amazing cards. My students' creativity and artistic ability never cease to amaze me. I adore how one student made herself into a gift!
Sometimes, it's the simplest messages that deliver the most powerful messages.
More beautiful cards.
Even more beautiful cards.
Even even more beautiful cards!
Most of my students have never written to a foreigner before. For this reason, they took this project very seriously. Even though they didn't know who they were writing to, they made their cards extremely personal. Some went so far as to draw their "mystery friend" on their card.
Even funnier is the fact that several students wrote down their phone numbers, email addresses, and Twitter usernames, in hopes of connecting with their new friend. I reiterated the fact that the recipients of these letters would likely be old, sick, and technologically inept. Nonetheless, they went ahead and eagerly shared their personal information. Maybe next semester, I will try to set up a pen-pal program with students from America. Just based on the overwhelming success of this card-making project, I think that my students would really enjoy it.
My students are certainly not short of personality or humor. Some of the cards made me literally laugh out loud. Here are a few of my favorites.
 |
| It's just a kidding! |
 |
| National pride |
 |
| Haha, I can see the resemblance! |
 |
| Hahaahaha |
When asked what they want for Christmas, my students will typically respond with one of two answers: 1) a boyfriend, or 2) acceptance to a good college/good job. Can't blame them for setting high goals for themselves.
While I can barely draw a stick figure, my students are capable of making incredible works of art. Here is a selection of the most artistic ones. I still can't believe that my students drew some of them.
Danielle Teacher also made an appearance on few of the cards. My students certainly know how to melt my heart. The feeling is definitely mutual. Especially when things get difficult, it's nice to be reminded that I'm making a difference in my students' lives.
Here's a few photos of me, delivering the cards to patients at Briarwood Care & Rehabilitation Center, a nursing home in South Amboy, New Jersey. It was such a hassle to pack several hundred of these cards into my carry-on and lug them with me on a 14-hour flight to America. But when I saw the patients' faces light up, I knew that it was all worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment