Teaching

Our first day with the PHD students, yesterday we had our Freshman. I only have 11 Freshman but 34 and 35 in my PHD classes. Learning names is going to be a real issue. Some of their name choices are interesting. California, Pots, Rain, LeBron etc. etc. My freshman class is going to be great. I wasn't particularly pleased with my first class with them, I would have formatted differently for them, but I will just push forward and it will fine. My first class of PHD's I was pleasantly surprised at how well they spoke and understood English. My second class much of the time looked like deer in the headlights. even as I continually modified down. Dad has a greater appreciation for his children who are teachers and the amount of energy that is required. Most of tomorrow will be spent in preparation and entering student information
Student information is going to be a challenge for a while. I finally had to insist that they choose and English name even if they don't want one. I named one of my students Monson, I told him looked very distinguished and this was a very distinguished man.

I had my first question about religion today, I had to think for a few moments if it was something that was appropriate to answer. I decided it was not so I told the class I had committed not to speak of religion while I was in China I thought better not to answer the question.