Monday, August 24, 2009

Grace goes to Chinese School

Well as you know Grace is also now attending the local Chinese School. I wasn't sure what to expect. Grace really seemed excited earlier in the week when I told her. I thought this is good, going to go great! No problems.
See still full of smiles as we were preparing to leave at noon! Notice the smile in the car.

(ashlee gail, see how comfortable and safe looking she is)


Once we arrived I was not sure if we were in the right place or not, until I seen two other cars arrived and they were Chinese. I'm really not sure what I was expecting, really I'm not.

Once we got inside the church, there was not alot of direction as to where to go or what to do, and no one seemed interested in really helping. Looking yes, helping no. And I kinda expected English, again, I dont know why. Out of the 150 ish people/kids I saw, everyone was Chinese except four people, I felt like I was back in China. Now don't get me wrong, I love the people, my daughter is Chinese, I just felt a little out of place. Finally someone registered us, then told us to stand over there and she would take us to our class. Her English was semi understandable. The conversations by the adults were in all Chinese. Anyway, she passed me onto a man who then passed me on to another lady who took her to her class. Still no books at that point. At this point Grace has wrapped her little hands FIRMLY around my next, I'm not sure what she thought was going on. The teacher, Ping, was very nice, I really liked her. She allowed me to stay for the class so that Grace would be comfortable. However during the recess, she informed me the principle said I would not be able to stay after today in the classroom. I'm considering asking if I could pay and join the class, but that depends on me finding some more money. Its not very organized. There were six kids and one adult in the class. This is the beginner class and I discovered, some take this class 4 times. It is not just learning to speak Chinese. They were writing the numbers one through six and pronouncing the words, so she will (if she stays in the class) be able to speak, write and read Chinese. We'll have to see how that goes.
Two of the children and their family had just came from China and did not speak nor understand English. One little boy, was bored out of his mind and she had to keep getting on him.
I'm pretty sure that Grace understood some of what she was saying, which is a good sign I think.
Well class was not over until 330 and then we had to get groceries. I felt too bad to do it Friday or Saturday. Well it was nearly 7 by the time we got home.
Does she look a little tired to you?


1 comment:

Carrie said...

I feel for ya! we don't have Chinese class here! Only at the college and its not for kids!