surprise

It's pretty difficult to not be around loved ones come birthday times. And although the usual gift giving, phone call/skype date would suffice, I wanted to really do something special for the BF for his crown birthday this year.

Sometimes in our schedule there are lot of changes leading to cancelled classes; sometimes so many cancellations that it doesn't make sense to start a new topic with the students since most of the classes would miss it that week - and therefore you cannot test it come exam time. On those weeks, I try to do fun lessons (not for test) with the students e.g. games, videos and drawing assignments. At my old school, I used the last week of lessons to allow students to create Christmas cards for their parents (in English of course). I gave them coloured paper (red/green/white), scissors, coloured pens and some Christmas carols playing the background. I saw my students transform from little monsters to delightful little angels. They were so occupied in those 45 minutes - I didn't know what to do with myself. And the work they produced was incredible. Pop ups, cutouts, some even created their own cartoon characters. I didn't realize how talented they were. Korean students work/study so hard that when you let them do something creative - it all comes gushing out :) 

So this year with some of my spare lessons, I gave my classes the same resources and asked them to write Birthday cards for the BF. I gave them a few suggestions of what one may write in a birthday card but gave them free reign (as long as it was in English). They were so excited - asking questions about what things he likes to do, how to spell his name correctly - I don't know if I have ever heard them speak English so confidently and enthusiastically. It was awesome - easy lesson for me to 'teach', lots of English being spoken, creative juices flowing and real life application of the language- its a win-win I tell you. These are some of the pics I managed to snap of them working :

And the final product

Aren't they just the cutest? Some of them were sealed so intricately I don't even know what they say inside :)
Was he surprised you ask? Of course yes and this has been dubbed the greatest birthday gift ever!!! Now how am I ever going to top this? Oh dear.....