I was terrified to hear that I would teach Reading & Writing class first time two years ago. Seriously, I didn't have a good background about reading and writing from undergraduate period but as we know, most of the students are better at writing and reading compared to listening and speaking. I think that's our assumption. Do they really know about them?

I would like to be positive on that but I can't. The students are not very good at writing and they usually do not have reading habits. The situation is not a catastrophe for sure but when you have higher expectations as a teacher, the situation looks not so great. Don't worry, it won't be a negative topic and I won't make you think I am desperate. Not at all! Because I can see the difference on junior students. They have improved themselves so much thanks to the classes and their personal efforts. That makes me hopeful as I am starting a new class of writing and reading.

Last year, in my first lesson, I asked students to write about themselves (by informing them that they don't have to write anything they don't want. Sometimes it may be disturbing for students in their ages). I asked them to write about their expectations and goals in general. When they finished and gave me the papers, I told them I would give these papers back in their graduation ceremony :-) You should have seen their faces! Some of them felt embarrassed but they loved the idea. I keep those papers in a safe place and hope to show them before they are gone.

I believe such activities or 'excitements' refresh the class and help teacher to have a better connection with their students. Now, they have something common and a kind of a deal. Maybe this was the reason why I didn't face one single problem with this class. I hope to repeat this activity with my first-year students as well. Let's see how it goes.

We live in a town which has a spicy cuisine. Why not have a spicy class? Extra taste is always good but be careful. If you make it too spicy, not every student may enjoy it :-)