Vesper Zephyr

    My eyes were wide open when I heard my English teacher’s request. She ordered four students to step on the podium and teach, four in which I had never expected to be included. In an instance, I felt dazed, as if the world began to reel－just for a short while, though. I soon gathered my wits and started preparing for my very own lecture.

    Although it was not the first for me to be on stage, it was actually my first time up there as a teacher. I kept thinking. What am I to say? What grammar, vocabulary…? Finally, I came up with some nice ideas and jotted them all down. I felt kind of nervous yet somehow excited as well. After all, though I was going to be the teacher, perhaps I would be the one who learns the most throughout this class.

    The next day, the class was mine, as I began my self-styled ‘‘special lecture. ” “ Good morning, class. Let’s take a look at the spectacular tunnel…” I was slightly nervous, which at all did not cause trouble to my speaking coherence. However, after going thru a few sentences, phrases and words, I was becoming anxious. Are they listening at all? The classroom is as quiet as a cemetery! I continued, still receiving no reaction. There were only dozens of pale eyes blinking at me sporadically. Gimme some response, you deadweights! Or, at least, write something down with your pens! “ Since we are talking about tunnels and mountains, would anyone like to tell us what kind of rock is the ridge comprised of? ” Desperately, I gave this question to them, hoping for a good laugh or whatsoever. Yeah, I know tons of rocks. Granite, basalt, gabbro, feldspar, andesite, rhyolite, peridot, aquamarine, opal, topaz, garnet, amethyst… wham! I could definitely come up with a fine answer if I were the student. Unfortunately, I was the teacher and none of my students replied. This silence did not seem so calm and peaceful to me anymore. It was rambunctious and obnoxious! I thought I had some good jests up my sleeves, but no one simply bought them! It felt as though I were a draconic geezer, talking to myself. Feeling frustrated and awkward, I had no choice but to end the lesson in brief and walk off the stage.

    Well, I’ve learned one thing for sure: being a teacher is one hell of a hard job. You have to face your pupils, whether they can accept your teachings or not; you must continue to teach, even if they think it’s tedious and boring. This experience, though a bit daunting and breath-taking, was with doubt an unforgettable and priceless one. It dawned on me that I was far too uninitiated and needed more training. Therefore, I have decided to keep practicing and learn from my teachers. Maybe one day, I will have the opportunity to teach on stage again!