Today was a day when many students had their graduation photos taken. Unless I suddenly decide to become a mature student there is no chance of my featuring in a picture wearing a gown and mortarboard unless I am taking part in a play. However during the break between lessons this morning I observed a group of “our” students gathered at the front of our teaching block in full regalia getting ready to pose for a group photo.
I watched from above as a few shots were taken and then when they did that thing where they all cheer and toss their mortarboards in the air in unison I found it extremely poignant. Back in class after the break, we had just commenced my activity for the class when four girls still wearing their robes interrupted my lesson. They wanted to take photos with me. I asked when and was told now. My class of freshmen erupted into applause and cheers and the odd thing about it was that I had never taught any of the four girls - they must have been Kevin’s but he only has classes on Friday afternoons.
I obliged by stepping outside for the shoot and found myself incredibly moved. On returning, one of my female students asked why I was crying. I wasn’t but I am man enough to admit I was a little misty-eyed. I told the truth - that I thought it was sweet of them to ask for a photo with me and that I was nostalgic insofar as these were young people at an exciting time in their lives, education complete and about to scatter to the winds and carve out new lives for themselves. Like many of the older generation I would love to be 22 again and whilst it is part and parcel of this job to see kids come and go and I am happy to see them embark on a new life journey, I am always a little sad to bid them farewell. God knows if they understood the sentiment but sometimes I think I give them less credit than they deserve.
Tonight there was a foreign language corner at which I was the only foreign teacher. Kevin is always busy on Fridays but although Ollivier was invited, for some reason he never attended. I understood about a quarter of what was going on but have no complaints at all because all five languages (Chinese, English, French, Japanese & Korean) which are taught here featured at some point and I impressed myself by being able to at least recognise which was which even if I couldn‘t understand. I was also tasked with making a speech to bring it to a conclusion, following which there was an exodus. Panic-stricken, a couple of students begged me not to go as they also wanted photos with me. I wasn’t going anywhere because I hadn’t long pulled the tab from a can of Snow beer!
One of my girls came and muscled in so she could stand next to me for the group picture and informed me she loved me. Assuming she was joking I asked if she wanted to marry me. Yes, she said. I advised her that she really needed to consult with her parents first as I doubted they would be pleased. Her response? I don’t care! She's the one singing the theme song to Titanic solo.
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