Tao

I have begun teaching downtown at a place called TEC (Todd's English-Learning Classroom). Last night was my first VIP lesson. I have been having one-on-one lessons with Erin each week, but the atmosphere at TEC is much different than at the university. The majority of TEC students are from very large businesses who wish to further develop their employees' English skills. I enjoy having a very informal classroom at the university, but the atmosphere at TEC is much more formal and business-oriented.

Tao works for a company that develops and builds aircrafts called Airbus. Airbus has offices in Germany, England, Spain, France, and China. In order to create continuity within the company, each employee is required to speak English. Tao (like most Chinese people) was taught how to read and write English in elementary and secondary school, but has a great deal of difficulty with spoken English.

Tao controlled the entire lesson and we covered a variety of topics. He was most excited to talk with me about his travels in Europe. "What is that thing that you buy to remember your travels called?"

"Memorabilia?" I said.

"Yes yes. I have many pieces of memorabilia from my travels around Europe." He spoke at great lengths about the necessity for each person to see the world. "Abbie, you must promise me [that you will] go to Germany. Go to Prague. Even Finland. But, I don't think there is any need to go to France. There is nothing but mean people and terrible foods."

I laughed and promised him that I would would visit Europe soon.

We spoke at great lengths about his job. He finds it very difficult to understand English when it is spoken in different accents. Unfortunately, he must listen and understand English spoken in almost every accent imaginable. "French people trying to speak English sounds like a bird to me. Very fast and hard to understand."

I taught him the phrase "the blind leading the blind".

He asked me what I liked to do for fun. I told him about my new pastime. "I walk outside, pick one direction, and walk until I get tired. Then, I walk home."

He laughed and said, "Very good!!! Do not stay at home while you are here. You must experience everything. I love your pastime!"

I must admit, it was nice to feel a bit of validation from him. I feel so foreign here.

I then asked him about his favorite pastime: badminton.

"Oh, I love it very much, but I must not play anymore. While living in Germany, I tore a tendon in my knee and had to have surgery. My scars are my new pieces of German memorabilia."