Wednesday evening Danshui English Conversation Corner
December 1:
Topic: Thanksgiving Party
After hearing the story of Thanksgiving together, we had a name drawing game, the goal being to write a simple card of thanks to your lucky draw! From the eldest to the youngest, each person displayed kindness and heartfelt consideration through their card, whether homemade or store bought. We took some time to read some fun ‘Thanksgiving stories’ together, and ended with songs and words of thanks shared with each other.
December 8:
A Doll for Christmas
We started our evening with a fun game called ‘I’ve never,’ where everyone shares things that they have ‘never’ done, hoping to gain points through being the only person who has never done that specific act. We then read a story of a kind woman who gave some extra money at Christmas to a little boy who had recently lost both his mother and little sister to a fatal car accident. Reading this story impressed on each of us how much the seemingly unnoticed things that we each do for others can bring happiness and comfort to those in need. I was moved by the way each person who came tonight thought of ways that can personally bring kindness to their friends and families.
December 15:
Sean Quigley’s Little Drummer Boy:
After a short question and answer game, we watched a home produced you tube music video which has suddenly become famous over Christmas by a 16 year old teenage boy called Sean Quigley, where Sean plays the drums passionately and shares the message of Christmas in song. When asking for the students to react on this video, they said that they were impressed by him making this video all by himself at such a young age, and that they admired his bravery of drumming in the cold snow! It was a good sample of someone working hard to accomplish a goal.
December 19:
Topic: Christmas Dinner Party
Christmas spirit was in the air tonight! It was one of our 2011 highlights to see many friends from English Corner tonight to have a wonderful dinner together, exchange gifts, and sing happy carols together. We met several new friends tonight, and had a great time connecting with our old friends. Everyone felt warm and loved on this cold evening, and the pictures of this event have been put up on our Facebook Website with special affects added!
December 29:
Topic: Happy New Year!
The final days of the year are a great time to think about and be thankful for all that we accomplished last year, and then plan the new year with last year’s perspective fresh in mind. This year we used some props with meaning for our year end activity. I explained that we all have so much to give to others, so as we light our candles, we can remember that we each have so much ‘light,’ love, and kindness that we can give with others. Each person told us not only what were their personal highlights for 2011, but also what personal goals, whether physical or personal growth related that they have for 2012. We ended with a few songs about giving our love to others.
