The beginning of any new academic semester is fraught with inevitable required adjustments. The post-graduate students (pgs) are no exception. They are required to take one semester of oral English with a foreign teacher. Most pgs have had prior undergraduate experiences with this inconsequential course where the grade does not count and more often than not, the foreign teacher has a guitar and only knows how to teach English songs. The pgs have a very strong preconceived idea of what to expect from their oral English class.
As the pgs approach their 4th floor oral English classroom they are confronted by a 200 cm x 200 cm banner.
They have no idea what “Chingland” means and “Chinglish Spoken Here” goes directly against and is directly opposed to their prior teaching that Chinglish is no good. This is the pgs first indication that something may be different.
As they approach the classroom door they look puzzled and double check the room number.
As the pgs open the door, their jaws drop, they freeze in position and get a “deer in the headlights” look. Again, they double check the assigned classroom number.
As they slowly enter the room there is a Chinese buzz. The foreign teacher actually looks like a real professor. The professor loudly announces, “This is an English class and this is an English classroom. Why am I hearing Chinese? If you want to practice your Chinese leave.”
A hush falls over the room. The pgs ask permission to be seated. The professor advises that those pgs who have brought their books and a writing utensil may be seated. All others must leave and never return unprepared again. Those who did not bring their books or writing utensils are told to leave but they remain frozen in time and space. The professor explains that coming to a pg class at China’s #8 most famous university is intolerable kindergarten behavior and the guilty students are ordered to leave.
Sometimes an entire first class must be cancelled and rescheduled at a punitive time.
On the very first day of the semester the professor draws the line in the sand and demands that the pgs act like mature, responsible, serious students or get out. They have never had such an experience in their prior 16 years of education. They are in shock!
Fortunately, the professor knows how to bring the pgs out of shock and within minutes the classroom is filled with laughter as everyone settles down to begin their semester of fun with English acquisition.
Read the download page article First Day Student Culture Shock
I have a very funny and unforgettable time in my first oral English class. Today, when entering the classroom, I was really shocked by the red hat, tea and coffee on the desk. It let me thought that I was not having lessons, but putting on my hat and going to traveling. During the class, I felt relaxed and comfortable. It was very enjoyable to listen to Martin’s pure English which was easy to understand. Thanks for Martin’s hard work because he creates a new atmosphere for our post-graduate students. He is a humorous, responsible, respectable teacher. I think I would improve my oral English in his class. I will try my best!
Our first oral English class begins with a group of people being expelled out of the classroom, because they haven’t taken the Holistic English Workbooks. At the same time, we were somewhat afraid that we may do something wrong which may lead the same results, but then Mr. Wolff give an very interesting presentation to us! I found one of the key words is ‘self-confidence’. I was ashamed of talking with others in English, because I thought my pronunciation is not very standard. But Mr. Wolff taught us that we should have self-confidence to speak out in English, no matter if we say ‘Chinglish’. I think it’s very correct!
On September 24, 2009 I experienced my first Holistic English lesson.
Before I got to the classroom, I had been told that our English teacher– Professor Martin Wolf was a strict person. To be honest, I felt somewhat of nervous. When I saw him, I found that I had seen a video in which he gave a lecture on “Not English learning but English acquisition” or “Create an English learning environment by yourself” to a crowd of students. At the beginning of the class, he eased our nervous soon by playing a joke on himself, “My name is Not Father Christmas!”, and we laughed with understanding. I think Professor Martin Wolf is a pleasing teacher, it’s unfair to define him a harsh person. However, at the first lesson Martin proclaimed several laws of class. Some of them seem like stringent ones, but I think it was necessary to give an advance warning. My English is poor, I hope that with Martin’s help I can improve it in the following time of this semester.
In fact I have never been taught by a foreign teacher, so I look forward to the first class although Professor Martin is said to be a harsh man. After I enter the classroom, I find it very different but comfortable. I’m very surprise that everyone has a red hat with some vivid yellow words “SPEAK ENGLISH”. I feel shocked and somewhat of horrible when Professor Martin shouts at the students “out” who don’t bring their textbooks. Anyway, he’s one of the most responsible English teachers I’ve ever seen. I appreciate him for making up such wonderful atmosphere of learning English. It’s really a good chance for us to improve our oral English.
I was shocked by our classroom. Desks were put together so that we could talk to group members easily. There were many English sayings pasted up on the wall which reminded us it was an English classroom. We should and must speak English here.
I was shocked by our teacher Martin,too. He was totally different from other foreign teachers. Martin, who described himself strict or even harsh, was really strict but humourous. He told us about himself, his children and his students. Because of his strictness, they are successful in the society. As the Chinese saying goes, a great teacher produces a brilliant student. We should learn not only English but also the attitude toward life from Martin this semester.
My first day experience in English class
English has been my biggest weaknesse for a long time, which makes me do not like English classes. But I still hope to improve this subject, so I am not only afraid of it , but also with big hope to manage it. I wish that my English teacher is an experienced and responsible one who has strict requirements, but also can make the class very active and funny. After your first lesson, you are the dream teacher I want. In fact, in the first class,I was really a little shocked by your teaching style . You are such an eccentric, changeable, smart man that will make your class interesting. I’m looking forward to the next class!
On the very day,when I opened the door,I saw a scene that have never existed in any other class that I’ve experienced:Lots of banners on the wall,classmates who were sitting around some tables,a foreign professor with a shaggy beard.The professor,who introduced himself “strict,even harsh”,showed his power to all the students.As I know,no chinese teachers do things like him on the class,but I don’t think it is uncorrect.Perhaps,we students are too idle, no direction in life.We must be shocked,so we will be awake.Afer this lesson,I make up my mind to promote my oral english.And I think,I’ve met a good teacher.
To tell the truth, I felt nervous in an English class for the first time. Martin is so strict and he is certainly not Father Christmas, just as he said. But meanwhile,I saw his humor and responsibility, which made me relaxed and moved. “I want to prepare for your future!” I have not heard this from any other foreign terchers. So I believe him. I believe he will not only teach us oral English, but also how to be a mature and serious person!
Certainly, I will practise “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” again and again for California Hotel. ^_^
It is really unexpected that my first holistic class will begin in this way. It made me tense, worried and even a little scared. However, I have liked this old man when he begins the speech, which is more like a lecture. He said he didn’t come to teach our how to speak English but tell us how to use our brains. Maybe he meant that people must try best to success and do it step by step. What’s more, face up to yourself and prepare to lose your face. All these are about pursuit and attitude of life and English here is just a tool to communication but not the topic of the course. Anyway, I like the professor, I like his style and I like the course but sometimes it may give me a big pressure and cause an aversion. Come on.
I like working or studying with people who have a good attitude (serious but facetious). Yes, here in the classroom I find a man with a little white full beard who is just this kind. Martin, a New-York retired man now is our oral english teacher and friend. I am happy because he has American’s facetious and German’serious while a bit tense for the progress. As going of the class, I get a note that we should take the class as a chance to show our mistakes in oral english. The story Martin delivering to us makes sense. It is the attitude of deciding to do and must do best that let everyone harvest. However, I like the ambience of the room and the style of class.
What I most want to say is that the class is so regular and completely different from that I have ever had. The classroom is decorated with signs on the wall and potted flowers on each desk in the room. And there is still a watering trough on the back desk for us to drink. It is positive and full of humanity. It will make everyone free and relax. And the professor, Martin, is humorous, but not so amiable as his appearance. He is a strict man. What he requires us to do is asked us to be more serious and make more effort. However, I like Martin’s teaching. In my mind, most people are lazy and not self-conscious to make a progress. But we are more possible to go further and success under the strict teaching of Martin.
It was an unforgettable day when I spent in the Holistic English Lab! First, the lab is quite different from those classrooms where we usually have classes. In it, slogans are put up all over the wall; every six of us are seated around a table, so we can discuss with each other conveniently. Second, the teacher is quite out of the common. He is very strict but humorous; he made us laugh again and again during class. He gived every student a red hat with “SPEAK ENGLISH” as a present, and told us something about his family, his students, and his own. And what impressed me most were the long word and the tongue twister, which I had never spelt or said before.
Before I went to the holistic class, I heard some news about Professor Martin and the class.
Many a students said that he is strict and his class is wonderful.
When I went into the classroom,I was attracted by a lot of sentences on the boards attached to the wall.
And I saw a man stand on the platform , I Know that is the Professor Martin.I quickly find a place to sit down and then the class began .
Professor Martin told us that each one should get a english name which was write down on the paper .Many students including me make some mistakes.Professor Martin give each one making mistakes another paper to rewrite the name.
Then He told us some stories about his family and his student ,the stories are short but wonderful.He is humours. Professor Martin distribute everyone a red hat and give us a password . That’s great.
I never had such an experience about english class.But I enjoy it.
This was my first oral English lesson with a real foreign teacher, Martin Wolff. It was very very very different and funny. When I entered the room, I found it was completely different from the traditional classroom. Banners pasted on the wall, red hats on the table and the layout of the tables, all made me felt pleasantly surprised. At first, the professor looked very strict with us; but later, I found him was a lovely humorous man. I like the kind Martin and the way he teach us. I also like the free environment in the class. Within the help of Martin, my oral English will be better and better. This semester I will have a very pleasure time in this class.
Honestly,I was shocked when I entered the classroom which was labeled as “Holistic English Lab”.In this room,the chairs and desks were orderly divided into parts and the red caps were so conspicuous.It seemed unbelieveable for us to have classes here, as there was so fanciful and amazing. Our oral English teacher is not Father Christmas,not KFC,but Prof Martin, a gentleman with a huge sense of humor.According to his words,I realized that it was really hard to prepare all these, which is of great benefit for us to learn English better.I’m so much obliged to Prof Martin for bringing us to a new English world.
What an unforgettable day ! My first holistic English class came at last ,which I had expected for a long time .When I entered the classroom,I was interested and excited in the decoration of the Room 416. In my view, he is a kind,strict and humorous man.I am attracted by his teaching style and stories.Thank you,Mr. Martin！I had a good time and learned a lot . I believe I will be happy when I communicate with others in English . I’ll go all out to improve my spoken English and to be a self-confident person!
Put it in an easy way, my feeling was changed from nervous and curious to relaxed and excited. I got nervous when I sat down. I just sat erect, avoiding the eye contact with Prof. Martin Wolff because he seemed harsh. Meanwhile, the slogans on the wall caught my eye. I like them, trying my best to read every one. They made me think more about myself and get more confident. Besides, I also like the room-layout, it pays to sit around the table in groups for developing teamwork spirits. However, after a few words said by Prof. Martin, I respected him for his enthusiasm about teaching. Also, Prof. Martin is just like my friend, sharing his success with us. He is a humorous and amazing teacher. I enjoyed a lot something novel, just like his class.
I have an unforgettable experience when I first enter into the holistic english class . Everthing is special for me .This class is completely different from that I have ever experienced.
Fistly,the classroom is beautiful which is not accord to the traditional one .There are full of english mottos on the wall and also decorated with flowers on each desk.Secondly,The professor is a foreign teacher,he required us not to speak Chinese in this classroom.I was tense at first.Gratually,I begin to adapt to the environment because of Pro.Martin’s humor.
NOW, I am looking forward to next oral enlish class.
None of my teachers is foreigner, I have no idea how they teach, and maybe they are just like Chinese teachers. When I walk on the aisle, I found it was different, there was “welcome to Chingland” on the wall, and the classroom was full of proverbs. At the beginning I felt professor was very strict, being late was not allowed, and he didn’t stand in front of us, what a difference! Then I found he was humorous enough, not rigid, he always made us laugh and laugh, he was amiable, and he gave us confidence all the time, he was so kind and I thought he was not only a teacher but also a father.
I like him, I like the way he teaches, and I want to speak English here and there. By the way, I like the red hat.
Miya-16
We took our first holistic English lesson on thursday morning this week. When we get into the room, we must speak English. It is the rule. In the class,we can express our personal idears in English. Because of my poor spoken English,I only speak a few of words during the class. The professor is a humorous man who always tell us the interesting experiences he has gone through. He requests that we should answer the phone and chat on the QQ in English. It is very difficult to me, but I will try my best to do that.In this way, my spoken English could be improved gradually.
It is difficult to find the classroom of holistic English course, but I believe this course should be very interested when the big word “CHINGLAND” on the wall jumped into my eyes. Actually, Martin is my first foreign teacher, it is a pity there have been no one who was singing foreign song with playing a guitar. Martin is so interesting man especially his teaching style is a new thing I never see before. It is valuable to us that learn study attitude but some English glossary in the class. Ok, I admit it is a shock to me when somebody was kick out from the room because they did not have a textbook.
My first oral English class with a American teacher is not so good. For my pore English lever ,I can hardly understand what he had said .I am afraid of it , no matter how a comfortable surrounding they made. But I like Martin Wolff, for his some one worthy of respect. You make me learned that you must take it Serious and you must learn it by hard. I can not make a promise to do it well, but I will do my best and what I need to learn is to learn how to learn.
The first holistic English class! I felt excited and nervous. when I entered the holistic English classroom,I was shocked. We student sat face-to-face, and teacher sat in the middle
of the classroom. It is completely different from what I have ever had. Wolff-our holistic teacher came in. He looks like Christmas Father! And he gave each of us a red hat as present. The class began, he asked we each wrote a English name on a blank sheet. Then wolff shared his experience with us. The most impressed was wolff had sent several students
from his class for they wrote a improper name on the sheet. When I wrote my English name on sheet I prayed it is OK ! Thanks to God, my name is passed! What I want to say is wolff is a very strict man!!
I got quite special experiences when I went to Holistic English Lab for the first time. There were too many things shocking me a lot. Now I just want to say something about English names. When Mr. Wolff asked us to write down our English names on papers, I wrote Sky at first, for I had used it as a name all through my undergraduate period. But Mr. Wolff told me, “Sky is a place, not an English name”. So I had to think about a conventional one and make a change. What’s more, I was even puzzled that Mr. Wolff named one student with his father’s name, that maybe unprecedented in China.
There is quite a huge cultural gap between China and western countries. So totally understanding western culture is far form straightforward. It’s high time for all of us to know more about it.
I have never met a forergn teacher during my English my study.I can understand the teacher only a little.I didn’t have a English name before the class.So when Martin asked us to use our English name ,I was very nervious.Ten minutes later ,I found a English name -Jennifer for me.I like it very much.To my impression,first of all,we sit face to face,so we could communicate very well; next,Martin prepared the tea and coffe for us,so we feeled relaxed;the last,Matin was a humour and harsh teacher.
Ｉam very surprised at the first sign of our English teacher.He looks honorable,friendly as the Santana.His humour made the whole classroom relaxed and full of laugh!He tole us his family,his ten chidren.I can feel his proud of his sons and his satisfaction with his life!Also he showed his passion of teaching and the access to the young people.He is very strict with the people around him,especially his chidren and his students.I am a little afraid of him .He gave very one of us a cap.I am very appreciate of him.
Generally speaking I like our teacher.Wish he happy everyday!
General speaking, I have no idea what is holistic english when I have a look at our holistic english workbook.. I was really shocked when I was entering in by the disposal of classroom. I hardly believed that is a classroom, there were red hat signed “SPEAK ENGLISH”,flowers and tea. In fact, I felt nervous because I had never talk to a foreigner. Professor Martin Wolf –our English teacher played a joke as the beginning of the class. Mr. Volf is a very humour man and speak very clearly, but I feel sorry that I could not fully get the idea of the teacher’s. So I think I should do more from now on.
I think my first day’s oral English class is interesting and unforgettable,although I just said few words of English.Professor Martin Wolff,my first foreign teacher, told us many times that he is a very strict person.At the first sight of professor Wolff I believed that he can change my attitude of English,because of his positive attitude about study,work,and many other things.I think this attitude is what I need just now.So,I think what I got during my first lesson was not just how to improve my oral English,but also how to overcome our life by a strict and positive attitude.
After the class I make up my mind to improve my attitude of English and positive attitude of what difficulty things I must confront.Now I’m looking forward to the next class.
Frankly speaking, it’s my first time to have an oral course, to say nothing of a foreign professor. It’s really a tragedy I couldn’t speak fluent Engllish, though I’v learned it for eight years. I’m eager to experience a larruping lecture. I was impressed tremendously by the classroom firstly, its professional name, its layout, its mottos, its coffee and tea, including the red caps. Our professor, Martin Wolff, his humorous opening remarks relaxed all of us. I like his pronunciation, however, I couldn’t catch lots of words, which made me depressed. His story about Bill inspirited me to improve my poor English. The professor is strict with us, a lot of regulations should be kept. There is a saying, Good pupils are to be brought up by strict teachers. I’m sure I can acquire more from this course.
Frankly speaking, I have paid no attention to the oral English class because I have experienced such courses before and found it a little tedious. Fortunately, I took my textbooks and was not required leaving out of classroom.
On getting into the classroom, I was shocked with the arrangement of desks, chairs and the striking mottos on the wall. It is novel, more like a romantic coffee room. On the contrary, the professor seemed extremely serious and speaks with a passionate voice. He shared his experiences in helping and encouraging Chinese students to learn and work. Gradually, I felt he was an attractive teacher and had his unique way to communicate with his students. What impressed me most was that he encourages us to speak out bravely, regardless of the incorrect pronunciations and solecism. I will try my best to get over the shyness.
Professor Martin Wolf is my first foreign teacher .I have never spoken to foreigners and seldom use English in my life. When I came our oral English classroom, I thought that would be a comfortable one. But Professor Martin Wolf is strict, which shocked me and made me afraid that I would mistake because my English is poor. Then Professor Martin Wolf’s humorous lecture made class relaxed, yet I was still worried about the disparity of English for classmates and me. I’m eager to catch up, and I will try my best.
Jane class 17
Before entering the Holistic English Lab, I did not think would be foreign teachers to us.on the way to the classroom, we have to guess who might be studying abroad has taught us. Have never been to foreign teacher’s class, I am very excited about to have such an experience. At first I was nervous, I always thought foreign teachers is difficult understand, but that day I can concentrate on listening to understand.Professor Wolff an introduction to his family since I was no longer nervous. I am sure that it is a chance for me to improve my speaking English .
We experienced a terrifying but wonderful day actually. We had heard from other students about Martin’s harshness, so we were shocked when we were locked out the door. The unique decoration told me it would be a formal academic lesson. Our professor with a Father Christmas looking is a strict but lovely person. The former moment we were scared to hell by his instructions, the latter moment we burst into laugher hearing his humorous stories. Martin was stricter than any of our teachers. He didn’t create a friendly atmosphere as we wanted, but he created the strongest learning English environment with his harshness.
Lucy class18
My first Holistic English lesson is very special .The moment I entered our class room, I was surprised about the room’s design. There were many beautiful plants and red hats on our desks. What’s more, there were some encouraging sentences on the wall.
Different from other teachers, Professor Martin didn’t tell us to open our books and turn to the first page .He just chatted with us and smiled. Through his talks I learned that he was a very successful professor. He has plenty of excellent students. He told us not afraid of making mistakes, just do our best. And he told us not to say “I can’t” at any time .I will try my best.
“Nothing can be accomplished without norms or standards” is the most profound feeling of the first class.
Being one minute late for the class, we were rejected by professor at least ten minutes; “the student who have not found place to sit down, come with me! Saturday morning, eight-o`clock!”; “I`m a strict teacher, or even harsh! ” These three events occurred before the class made me had an antipathy to our teacher! We are pgs now! We should have our owned liberty and “face”! But after listen to his story about his successful sons and the amazing change of his student Bill, I was totally infected by his philosophy and regulation. It’s really a good chance for us to establish the right philosophy and schedule our future.
It was really a unique experience–a classroom decorated like a cafe, colourful banners pasted on the wall, and, a particular teacher. I never had oral English class, also, never “formally” got to foreigners before, so I was looking forwards to this class very much. When I saw our oral English teacher, Professor Martin, the first word came to my mind is “Santa Claus”! But, possibly, he is the strictest teacher I have ever met. On the other hand, he had good sense of humor: told us some funny stories about his former students, used plenty of body language, etc..The atmosphere was both tense and lively, I have benefited a lot from my first oral English class. My roommates and me, we shouted the word ”supercalifragilisticexpialadoucious” loudly in our dormitory, listened and practiced this lovely song (it is really very hard for us!). It was an unforgettable class, and now, I’m looking forwards the next one!
Jane class 17
Foreign teachers to give me a completely different feel. Former English teacher often speak Chinese, even if the did not understand the English language does not matter, but not now, I have to concentrate to listen to. He will talk about their families, children, it is I have not encountered before. I have never heard what the teacher in the classroom to talk about them.
The classroom also giving me a different feeling. Our previous classroom seats are row after row, the teacher in front of class, and this classroom the students sit face to face classroom.there are flowers, are free to drink water, tea or coffee, giving comfortable feeling. Really looking forward to the next class.
When I first come in your classroom,you give me a big surprise,your classroom don’t like those we have had .How we seat and the room’s layout is fresh to me.
we have our English name later,it make me excited that I have myself English name ,and then you told us more ,so we know you further and like you more.
While you ask us to lay down our faces when speaking oral english ,I make decide to practice as more as I can, But I still afraid that these year I have not speak any oral english.Although everything is hard in the begining,I believe I can do it well.
That is really an indelibility lesson I have ever had!
“I am a strict teacher, even harsh.” when this words came out from Professor Martin’s mouth, we people sitting around were really shocked, scared, even a little worried about our lessons. But the worry was proved to be inanition when the old man delivered himself of his stories about himself and some successful “sons” he taught before. Since my English was still so poor after twelve years constantly studying with no speaking out practice, advancement was expected in this classroom with this strict and responsible old man.
I am looking forward to the next class! A great lesson, a great man!
I have heard about you a little before I entered the holistic English lab.When I experienced your teaching style the first time on my own,honestly speaking it shocked me a lot because I haven’t met a teacher like you.In class,A lot about your wise wife,successful sons and cherished pupils you told us really means a lot to me,which wakes me up to acquire required characters of being a graduate student and gives me motivity and suggestions to successful career.So here I want to thank you for your strict even harsh methods of teaching,uncontrolled and comfortable seat arrangements,prepared coffee,tea and a lovely red hat.I believe we will know American culture further and better,love to speak English being careless about wrong pronunciations or expressions under your instructions.
It is really a “first day shock” to me and everything is unbelievable. On my way to the classroom with other guys, I didn’t know anything about the course yet. After all, this is just another English course like one of those courses before and I guess there’s nothing different. But when I saw that “Chinglish” flag on the wall, I said to myself, “Wow, maybe there IS something different.” And so it is. The so-called “classroom” was more like a tea house, with colorful papers on the wall. And I’ve never seen such a teacher like Martin. He’s so strict, yet passionate and humorous. During the class he told us many things, like his family and his experience. He even told us the content of final exam! But what’s that? A weird long word, a tongue twister, and a song I’ve never heard. How could these be exam questions? This is definitely the most unforgettable English course for me, and I really wonder if Martin would bring us more surprise!
Melody Class18
Before entering the Holistic English Lab, I have heard that our course is very special and interesting. With curiosity and expectations, I came into the classroom and see the layout of the classroom, I am a little shocked. Compared with the previous teachers, I found that Professor Martin’s teaching method is quite different. In this lesson, Professor Martin set a strict requirement in English learning. He talked about his family and children generously. He talked about his students’ successful stories to encourage us to learn English. The most important thing is that he taught us how to use our brains and how to be a man. Thanks for Professor Martin’s gift, it’s not a simple cap, it will always remind me to speaking English, do not afraid of losing face.
My first Holistic English lesson is very special .
Shock? Yes,I meant I was shocked by everything in the classroom that afternoon.when we reached the classroom I was surprised to see a very big red banner on the wall and the door looked like Luxury. I was puzzled by the door and I thought we mought go to the wrong place.In fact ,this is the room. I was shocked by the foreign teacher when we were seated.The old man whoes voice was loudy came in and he spoke to us just like a gun.Thought I couldn’t catch every words he said I started to laught when he asked us not to call him KFC.I felt a little fear as I couldn’t think a good english name. If you couldn’t do it,the professor would ask you to get out of the classroom.We all Immersed in the story which the professor told.I felt our professor was a good and kind old man from the story thought he was strict with his students. “Image where you will be ,and it will be so”.I hope I can improve the standard of English with the help of the professor.Thank you for your red hat,my professor!
At the first signt of Professor Martin, I really felt a bit nervous, because It is my first time to have a foreign teacher’s class. But soon I found everything is comppletely difefferent from what I had imaged before. It was really a memorable oral class for me, where a strict and kindhearted professor told us something different and shared his story with us. Here I find chinglish is allowed, just open our mouthes. I realize what is responsibility, when I saw the impressive room and the red hads on the desks, and when someone without book was expelled out of classroom. I learn how to be mature and confident from the story of professor Martin and his students. For us, Professor Martin is not only a teacher but a father who give us some useful suggestions when we are confused.
When I traveled to Chingland for the first time, I kept asking myself: are we in a wonderland or something? Maybe there is a bit of an exaggeration, but honestly speaking, it is a whole universe during my 16 years of English studying. Martin Wolff, our oral English teacher, comes from America. Looking like Father Christmas, he is kind and humorous. However, Mr. Wolff is the strictest teacher I’ve ever seen, making the most rigorous training for us. I believe it is very helpful to improve our English.
The experience in Chingland is really supercalifragilisticexpialadocious!
First class, what I felt wasn’t funny but nervous. Though the classroom was so special, which English sentences were all around us, I just felt nervous. Dr. Martin was so funny and often told jokes, but I was still nervous, even dared not to move a muscle.
The boy sat beside me at another table, his telephone shook nearly half of the class, but he just dared not to turn it off.
I think that most of us were afraid of Dr. Martin in the first class. Anyway, in my opinion, Dr. Martin is good teacher.
Red caps with ‘Speak English’ and banners with English mottos, which was my first impression of this special classroom, shocked me much. The big Martin looked kind and old-fashioned at first, but he is so strict even harsh actually. During his speaking, I know that he wants us to be better in future, which is the most crucial factor. It’s so sweet to construct such strong atmosphere to enjoy English. Of course, I’ll try my best to improve my English without excuses and to be another good girl of Martin’s. Something attempted, something done.
The first day I went to the oral English class is more like interesting rather than getting shock.
Everyone is puzzled by the “Chinglish” banner, the first idea comes up in my head is, well, it seems we’re going to have an English class with a Chinese teacher. So, I’m quite surprised when seeing Professor Martin standing right in front of class.
You know, I’ve seen foreigners, I’ve been in a class call English adventure run by some American teachers, I know what the right oral English class is, I know the environment dose have a great influence to our English practice.
And I’m not surprised by the professor’s saying, he’s only a little bit strict instead of weird, I’ve seen more Chinese teacher who is eager to show their personality. But I believe what the professor said is with the best of intentions, which is really helpful for our English and our lifetime.
“I’m very strict, even hash! ”these words were proved to be the truth when Mr. Wolff shouted at the students who were late for the class and with no workbooks to get out of the classroom. Mr. Wolff horribly terrified everyone in the classroom. All of us could hardly take a breath and just sat where we were. After informed us the requirements and instructions when having holistic English, Mr. Wolff shared his family stories and life experiences with us. Because we were so terrified, each one focused to listen to him. Gradually we were greatly amused by “the wolf” and couldn’t help laughing. We recognized a really harsh old man who is enthusiastic, accountable and dedicated to his work. It’s much more efficient to learn English when immersed in a friendly environment, not an academic atmosphere.
Yes ,the first Holistic English lesson was really a shock to me.It was fresh , unique ,active,inspiring and also unforgettable.I was very curious about it before the class ,because I had been told that our oral English teacher was totally differient from all of the teachers we had ever been taught by .Yes, I knew that they were absolutely right from the first scene that spreaded out before me when I entered the totally westen class that I had only ever seen in some western movies.I was very suiprised at the gifted red hat with two words “SPEAK ENGLISH”on it .I was also suiprised that my former English name “season” which I had been used for several years was just not approriate as a name.So I had changed it as Katherine .From the first lesson ,I felt the culture differiences in my own person and I also learnt that English was so useful that we all should pay highly attention to.And it was the first time that I knew “chinglish”was also welcomed as long as you open your mouse.I was more passionate and confidence about English learning.