School TV has proved to be useful for the students to watch the disaster unfold in Sichuan, yet, as the local teachers say, do they students really care? Sure, give money to help those homeless who survived, but what about the re-building? Will the same thing happen again? Will shoddy work and cost-cutting ( making money for someone) still continue? Most newspapers carry articles about the questions being asked about “bean curd construction”. Will we really know the truth? Having spent some years in China, mainly from 1991 to 2000, there is a huge difference between what the right and left hands do! (metaphorically speaking) Well back to the grind - F5 exam preparation and proper exams.  More later…

Hot days are here again, and the temperature has slowed down the brain activity of the F3/F4 students to a level not seen before. However one teacher did get a response to when he showed Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ music video to help explain the meaning of that word (thriller). From my spot on the wall, this guy is using films and trailers to make his oral English classes more interesting.  The class choose their own trailer from www.apple.com/trailers for a presentation on which film  they would recommend to the rest of the class. However, most presentations had to be repeated for various reasons - a bit disturbing for me up in my cool corner, but I’m used to it. Been a few days since I got in front of the keyboard, and as there’s a holiday coming up (next Monday) may I take this chance to wish any readers all the best.  If you want, drop me a line or too about your classes, I’ve been hanging around schools here in Hong Kong since 2000, so have quite a few experiences to share. Until next time

Since I last posted what I had seen and heard, the activity at one of the schools I pass by has increased. The English department is planning a half day trip to Ma Wan Park, and having been there [last year, shortly after it opened] I do suggest that you and yr students do the same! The F4 at the same school had an English Test and the mutterings about student’s ability was quite loud in the staff room. Despite a problem with printing the test - a page was missing - it all worked out well from what I could see. The temperature is rising and so is the number of ’sleepy’ students. Pressure is also building as the dear students start various exams - so extra care seems to be the flavour of the month. Some interesting comments have been placed in the SCMP re the ESF, and quite a few us are watching with interest re the salary increases. The staff room here is buzzing with chat about the differences in teachers [local & ‘NET’ ] salaries. Some ‘flies’ I know are keeping a low profile whenever they find themselves in a different school to the one they are used to. How’s the food in your schools canteen? Some I’ve seen and tried are pretty awful - poor kids! More soon.

At my first school this morning, from my usual place on the ceiling, I observed some students being taught the meanings of ‘a local call’ and an ‘international call’. It wasn’t as easy as you might think! You would be surprised what I have seen and heard in classrooms around this city; and I look forward to sharing some of my experiences with others. Anyway, the students at this school are, from what I have seen over the time I’ve been visiting, pretty well disciplined, and the atmosphere in the staff room is good - unlike some others that I have heard about from other flies on the wall. Schools are worlds of their own, full of things both good and bad, tedious or interesting. Strange teachers, strange students, clever people, dumb people. Anyway, this is just a quick entry as a test. More tomorrow, only if I can find a safe spot on the wall.

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