I have been wondering about the students I will teach since I arrived in Singapore. I heard from many sources that students here are industrious, diligent, and polite, which is probably the best combination an educator can dream about. However, it is one thing to hear such things and another to experience them yourself. This morning I had the chance to – so to say – have a glimpse into the future and see for myself what my student will be like.
Like every morning, I boarded my bus at the Boon Lay Interchange to get to NIE together with dozens of young people. I managed to get a seat, placed myself comfortably and listened to Bob Dylan singing “Hey Mr. Tambourine Man” when I noticed something I had not seen before. As soon as my travel companions arranged themselves, they all reached into their bags and rucksacks and pulled out a black book titled ‘Foundation Truths 2’. It looked like a course book with short texts, activities, questions to think over and some spaces for gap fill activities. To my astonishment all students seemed to be lost in revising / learning the material on the bus. This was, however, not some panic stricken last minute preparation for class as most of the textbooks contained notes, certain passages were colourfully highlighted in different colours, bits of text underlined here and there, which told me that these guys must have done their share of work at home and now they just like to grab the opportunity to deepen what they have already mastered at home. Anywhere I looked I saw students studying. A very nice sight, I must say.I hope I did not board a special ‘top-of-the-class’ bus this time and what I saw was the average, everyday student culture. If so, I am looking forward to a very delightful and fulfilling semester.
