My cousin’s son, or my nephew, Jack is poor in English. He has started his Primary 1 in SG, where English is very important. So, I offered to help him by giving him tuition every weekend.
I was giving him spelling test. But he’s too slow to learn those words. Then, he started to cry because his uncle said “You is stupid” to him.
Well, who is stupider? If he does not have a proper grammar, he should not tease the little boy. Poor Jack.. I quickly encourage him by giving him a cute animal pen.
I am not sure why I want to do this. Without pay and have to scarify my weekend. But I do want to help. When I had this decision, I was so happy and excited. I went to buy some vocabulary and exercise books for him. Also, I am giving him my dictionary that had been with me since my primary days (hope it is still acceptable up to date).
Children’s emotion is very important that will stick to him the rest of their life. I do not want to see him being teased and laughed at school. I would really hope that he can follow up his studies and do not end up like his parent or my other not-well-educated cousins.
Some may ask that there are so many cousins staying in Jack’s house, more than 10 I guess. But there are all working in factory due to lack of education in young age. It is not that their families are poor or not allowing them to study. They normally give reasons that they are not gifted with a good brain or “study skills”. I do not believe in good brain, I only believe that there is no stupid people in this world, only LAZY people.
That is why I am giving Jack a dictionary, so that is he has any problem in his studies, my cousins can look into it and help him when I am not around. I really wish that he can cope up with his study and have a bright future.
He will be very grateful for being blessed with your selfless guidance and unconditional support. It is true that nobody is born stupid.
Comment by narrowband — 16 January, 2008 @ 12:19 am
well bie as “fierce” as u could be sometimes (or to some ppl), pretty sure u are a good one when it comes to teaching jacky zai, spread some love around him when u teach him and i bet he will absorb english much more tender..
Comment by Jian — 16 January, 2008 @ 4:48 am
narroband - Now we agreed at the same thing. Thanks for your compliment too.
Jian - I’m not fierce to kids. Only to some “wu liao” ppl. Haha, I spread my love everywhere I go ^__^ Thanks for your support
Comment by Cybie — 16 January, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
Now i risk to look like a skunk in the party. I beg to differ. There are people born smart, born stupid, born lazy etc.
It is very kind of you to make time to teach the young boy, kudos to you! But don’t expect too much out of Jack though.
BTW, you also can use some help from the grammar & vocab book - constructive criticism
. It will be good for yourself as you get into more senior position in your career and Jack’s English homework can only get tougher (trust me on this one ok?).
Good luck! and BTW, make your last goal in your new year resolution to be your first one!
Comment by nic — 30 January, 2008 @ 10:57 am