It was the second week of school reopening at Nanjing Foreign Language School Xianlin. My Grade 1 students with curiosity, shy smiles, peeking from behind, their eyes wide with a mixture of apprehension and wonder welcomed me in their classroom for our first lesson. It is in this beautiful, tentative space that the most magical part of my day begins always.
The initial shyness is simply a prelude to their incredible courage. It melts away during our ‘ice-breaking’ lessons, replaced by the most wonderful sounds: the joyful gasps of understanding, the triumphant shouts of a new English word mastered, and finally, the uncontainable laughter that fills the room through fun games. This transformation is my daily reward. To see a child who was once too timid to say their name suddenly beam with pride and offer a spontaneous hug, is a feeling that fills my heart to the brim.
Their enthusiasm is my greatest motivation. The way their faces light up when I walk in, their eager cries of “Teacher, teacher!” and their genuine willingness to learn fuel my passion. Each day, they look forward to our lessons, and that excitement is contagious. I find myself counting down the hours until I can see them again.
These little sparks in Xianlin, with their boundless joy and affection, remind me why I love teaching. They are more than just students; they are a daily dose of happiness, and I am so grateful to be their guide.
