As students were preparing for their final exams and anxiously awaiting a much-deserved Winter Break, Dr. Virginia Garnett was traveling to Harbin, China to teach an accelerated section of English 0104. Her class was comprised of sixteen freshman at the Northeastern Agricultural University (NEAU) who plan to pursue their degree in Business Administration in the United States; many will join our campus this summer and stay for two years.
When asked what motivates them to study English, the students collectively expressed a desire to learn more about different cultures. One student offered a more poetic insight: 鈥淓nglish is my bridge to the world.鈥 To aid them in their study and to prepare them for their transition to an American university, Dr. Garnett led discussions on U.S. customs and culture, campus life at 麻豆社区P, and outlined strategies for success in an American classroom.
In addition to completing a number of small writing assignments designed to strengthen skills needed in a Composition classroom, the students wrote their final essay on three adaptations of Dickens鈥檚 A Christmas Carol. Mr. Magoo鈥檚 Christmas Carol (1962) was a definite favorite, in part for its silliness, but also for its faithful representation of Dickens鈥檚 dialogue.
When asked what tips she considered most useful for the students, Dr. Garnett replied, 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to make mistakes or to ask questions, as there鈥檚 no other way to learn. And don鈥檛 pack your long underwear.鈥 For students accustomed to temperatures well below zero, that final piece of advice was met with welcome laughter.