Cec mini collection (1)

CEC MINI COLLECTION

For Teachers’ Day

COMMUNITY ENGLISH CLUB SHARING KNOWLEDGE- CONNECTING COMMUNITY

“This is a collection of candidates’ writings in the writing contest held by

CEC on Vietnamese Teachers’ Day” ____ November, 2012 ____

CONTENTS Introduction………………………………………………………….….03 You saved my life! ……..................................................................04 “Sat thu”- My dear teacher………………………………………………..05 You are my best friend forever! …………...........................................06 The teacher from poetry………………………………………………….07 My young Dad …………………………………………………………..08 About writers ……..…………………………………………………….09

Introduction What CEC writing contest? CEC writing contests are held monthly by CEC- Community English Club. This activity is carried out in order to promote a competitive environment for all students of Faculty of Foreign Languages to improve their writing skills. On the occasion of meaningful days of a month, (Vietnamese Teachers’ Day, Women’s Day, etc.) this writing contest is held and lasts for a week. There are three winners in CEC writing contest with the prizes which are equivalent to their places.

Who are the judges? CEC writing contests are held by CEC. However, CECers are not the judges of this writing contest. In order to help our contest to be fairer, the judges of CEC writing contests are teachers form Faculty of Foreign Languages. Normally, there are three teachers are the judges. The final results of writing contest are based on the scores of all three judges, which ensures that our competition has a perfect basis in terms of evaluation.

Why CEC writing contest? CEC writing competition aims to promote an environment for all students of Faculty of Foreign Languages to improve their writing skill. Additionally, it encourages students to exchange their ideas with others and share their abilities with the world. With a comparison of their writing quality, candidates have a chance to see where they are and what they need to improve.

How to take part in? CEC writing contest has no limitation about candidates. Candidates wanting to take part in this writing have to

only wait for the announcement on our channels. Then, send your writings to our official email: [email protected]

Why CEC Mini Collection? CEC Mini Collection consists of all writings of candidates taking part in the competition. With this collection, we hope that it can keep all candidates’ memories and their contribution to this contest. Moreover, it helps others to understand more about our contest.

________Have a good time with CEC Mini collection!___________

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- Hey, you can do it

- How do you know?

- Just close your eyes and believe in yourself!

She smiled as usual. This smile had a special power. Whenever I saw it, I felt like the whole world was watching and supporting me. I stepped out and started writing the first line in my poems:” Nothing but the images……Feel with your heart……….”.In my mind, her far-away voice kept me focus on the natural images. When the judge announced the result, so silent was the participants that my heart sank down and it seemed to hardly pound. But then, it was relieved when they burst into clap. I could see my teacher’s face in the crowd, full of rejoice and proud….

Five years ago, I found myself completely lost. There was no body. Life didn’t appear to have any meanings, just grabbing the books, running to school on time, doing my homework, and listening to my parents

telling me what to do. They always wanted me to be top of the world but in their ways, not mine. After going to school, I had to attend some extra classes, just to raise my scores in Math, Physics, and Chemistry and so on to satisfy my parents. But I was not really good at those things. No matter how hard I tried, I could not catch up my peers. I felt disappointed about myself. Another miserable thing: I did not have many friends with anyone for fear that I was not as outstanding as them. People called me “introvert” because I rarely said anything to them, just burying my head in books.

“It would be better to keep your mouth shut and let the whole world think you’re a fool, rather than open your mouth and prove it”. That “proverb” set up obstacle in my mind; stop me from talking to anyone. And then she came. She was my new teacher, taking over from the old one who was on maternity leave. I

didn’t know why she always paid attention to me. Perhaps I looked like a fish out of water. During the first few weeks, she tried to get close to all members of my class, asking about personal interests, family background, learning difficulties and so on one by one. The girl who always sat at the corner of the class-me-was the last one she interviewed

- I want to talk with you after class, ok?

- ………yes!

- It’s your choice. I just want to know you

better.( She smiled)

That talk seemed to be unforgettable. I could remember exactly her every word – How do you feel about our class? She asked. I pondered for a moment and then took a glass, pouring water into it until it was full.

- Our class is like this glass. There is no place for

me. Pouring anymore water just makes everything

worse. She smiled. To my surprise, she took a

petal of a rose on the table, and then put it on the

glass. The water was still.

- You see, you can make this class better. Let’s

embellish that life with some pink colour rather

than monotonous white.

She knew I had a remarkable talent for literature. Not only did she give me some tips to learn more

effectively, she also encouraged me to make poems and participated in the literature contest of our school. Had it not been for her encouragement, I would have never won the second prize in that contest. One day I asked her how to make friends with other people, and how to make how a good friend was. She smiled and said: “Open your heart and give them a chance. Sometimes, you have to build a wall around yourself, not to isolate you from other people, but to find who are brave enough to break this wall, to care for you.”

Now she is married. I know she has found the one who broke her wall to care for her. Although she is not my teacher anymore which means I don’t have many chances to talk with her, I often ask for her advice when I have to decide something important. This 20/11, I will visit her cozy warm house, to thank for her meaningful advice, which helps me much a mature” me” as today.” Thank you very much”. Happy Vietnamese Teachers’ Day!

Diem Thi Thu Thuy

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You saved my life! First Place

Second Place

Always deep in my mind is the image of a teacher with the gentle eye sight which contains the love for all students in his career of education and training.

He was our former teacher for three years at high school, from grade 10 to grade 12. At that time, our classmates used to call him with a special name: “Sat thu” one scary name. It has the same meaning with the word “murderer” in English while it is Nguyen Duc Duong, a name that makes us think about a friendly teacher, not a hunter. Why did we call him like that?

It was because of the reason that he was ready to forget his lunch to be in class in order to control and correct our class style of work. It was an explanation that we were often out of the school gate at about 12:45 every Saturday although the class finished at 11:30. He spent his free

time entering the games center to draw some games addicts of our class out and sent them home. It was until now, we even could not understand why my teacher, “sat thu”, knew that some truant boys were absent to play games though he did not go to school. After the first lesson, he led these bad students to the classroom and gave them strict punishment. He seemly controlled all of factors of each student from the smallest problems to the most troubled ones. No matter how hard his work was, he spent his free time to talk and discuss with the parents to solve our problems in any aspects. My teacher took care of all members of our class as if we were his sons and daughters. He knew clearly about the condition of each

one’s family. That was why each problem in studying and in daily life was solved appropriately through his help.

He always gave us necessary advice, which helps us to solve our problems because at this age, our understanding and thinking about life were not sure enough to get over all troubles; however, that we did not hate him, on the contrary, we admired his good knowledge at Mathematics and his teaching skills. The most important thing that made me proud of my teacher is my small story that I will never forget.

Once in the contest is held, I also registered to take part in. Before, I claimed to my friends that I was sure to get the highest mark (because I was the best students at English in comparison with others).

Therefore, I was too confident to take that and I finished the paper in half of time without going through it carefully any longer. As a result, I was rank just the third position after two others who were not as good at English as I was in the comments of others, which made me disappointed about myself and extremely felt shy of what I had said to my friends. So

I did not want to see my friends, and often kept silent in English class, even I quit some English extra lessons. Secretly, my teacher met me and gave me a book and a saying that: “Being confident is good but being too confident means you will loss all”, He gave me a book and asked me to talk with him when I master its meaning. Returning back home that day, I read and thought about a story that my teacher had told to our class about my teacher mistakes when he was a naughty boy. He was also an unlucky student in examination and even failed because of his carelessness. I could not help crying while reading stories in that book, and I found

that no one was perfect and I should change myself so as not to be “defeated” by this small problems. Now, I choose to be a teacher as what my dear teacher did, love teaching and the career of educating and training students to be the good citizens for the goal of building as well as developing our country. I find that, being a good and beloved teacher is extremely difficult but it does not mean “I am not able”, so I am trying my best, day by day, to improve my knowledge and teaching experiences so that I am skillful and experienced enough to teach my students.

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say thanks and my love to my dear teacher.“I, your stupid student, thank you very much and wish you are always healthy and continue the career of educating students”.

Quach Thi Thuy Thien

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“Sat thu”- My dear teacher

“He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”

____ Anonymous ____

Third Place

The teacher from poetry

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There has been a poetry reminding me of a teacher. When reading this poetry, everyone can realize easily that the character

mentioned in it is the teacher- great persons who play an important role to help their students become good citizens. I also have the same emotion. I don’t remember exactly how many times I have read these verses, but I’m sure that anytime I read them, I just remember about a teacher– my second parent. I have been taught by many teachers, and each of them has influenced me strongly. All of them are my great teachers, and I love them so much. However, if anyone asks me that who is the

most impressive to me, I will answer immediately that person is my English teacher- Mrs. Tinh. She is my English teacher as well as the head teacher in my class in three years at high school. I still remember the first day that Mrs.Tinh went in my class when we were grade 10. She looked very strict. She always gave punishment to lazy students, so everyone was afraid of her. Even the laziest students who rarely did homework of other subjects also tried to finish exercises which

she asked. I was one of the best students at this subject so this subject was not a trouble to me. There is a truth that thanks to her strictness, my class was always in the top rank of our school. She not only taught me good knowledge but also shared her own experience in teaching. Hence, I decided to become an English teacher like her. “I treated you seriously for only reason that I want you to become good citizens and contribute your talent for our country’s . Although I know that many

of you dislike me, I can accept that bad thing.” said her. I heard these honest utterances when I and my classmates visited her at the first year in occasion of Teacher’s Day. She was very friendly and close to us.

In addition to that, it was the first time I had ever seen her smile. She asked one by one about our study, and I could realize easily that she was

very satisfied when all of us had good result in study. Unfortunately, I was busy with my study in this occasion later, so I didn’t have chance to visit her. Instead of this, I made a phone call to give my wishes to my dear teacher. I was really touched that she just heard my voice, and she could realize who is talking to her. An Teacher’s Day is coming again, and I can’t visit her; therefore I only show my gratefulness to my teacher by the assistant of telephone, she didn’t forget asking about my study and my plan for my career in the future. At that time, I only

wish that I can meet her immediately. Right after graduating from university, I will apply for teaching in my old high school where I had many wonderful memories with my friends and I have a chance to work with my dear teacher too. However, I am sure that though I can become a great teacher, Mrs. Tinh is the greatest teacher forever.

Ngo Thi Thanh

Anyone finds for himself a particular direction. There are people who dream of becoming doctors, teachers, architects, etc; another dream how to have enough money to provide their families and others only expect a normal life with a happy family. When struggling on the path of choosing for my direction, I

have met her. She is both my teacher and my friend who give the way to me so now I have a little success. That day I was at grade six. I was shy by nature; therefore I chose a seat in the corner without talking with others. When our new teacher walked into class, everyone saw her with round eyes “She is so pretty!” the whispers were ringing in the class. Then she introduced her name – Le Ha, the whole class admiring again: “Her name is too nice”. My first day at new school began in eager like that. She not only taught us literature but she also taught us how to detect and avoid the pitfalls of life. She often took

care of our studying as well as daily life. One time, when reading stories, I saw that she was next to me; naturally I felt my heart beat faster with feverish, saying “Good morning” was not put into word. It seemed that she understood what was happening on my mind; she sat down next to me and smiled, “Are you reading?” she asked. “Oh, her voice is light”. Although I talked to her in only fifteenth minutes in the short break, it helps me to reduce the shame in the new learning environment.

Time passed over quickly, we were at grade nine. Next year would be the time we had to choose our high school, moreover pressures of the last year at secondary school made we feel stress. Miss Ha was at class more often, talked to us about our dreams and aspirations in the future and then gave us useful advices. In the class activity that day, Miss Ha said touching words to us: “Boys and girls! Everybody has to eat to live. Each person chooses a job, a direction to provide for individual life. I ever was at your age, I also had dreams and ambitions and I ever made

mistakes but thanks to my friend’s advice so now I can be here to share you my experiences. Each of you here will have your own life, a particular job, a passion to pursue; there is nothing bad at all. However, you sure that your choices are suitable with your ability and the most important thing is don’t give up your dreams. Do not lose yourself because of money or fame; everything can be recovered, however, losing yourself means losing everything. Miss Ha’s words have been following me in my whole life. Although it may take a long time to have results, it will be the most valuable.

Now, I am the last year student. I hope that I can become Miss Ha’s colleague in the future. For me, she is my best friend forever!

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan

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You are my best friend forever!

“I cannot teach anybody anything,

I can only make them think.” _____Socrates (BC 469-BC 399)_____

My Young Dad Wandering on the Facebook, so surprised I was to see the status of him: “HCM city from the sky!” It means he had just gone away from Thai Nguyen. There was a sadness passing my head. I felt that a very important person in my life went away. You may misunderstand what I have just said; however, that is my real emotion. I always consider him to be my young dad. I will not retell the old story which I used to share with you on CEC Bi-Zine. What I would like to share here is my strong respectfulness for his great personality and thought. Simply, he is a rustic teacher. Always appearing with a bright smile, never creating a strange distance with us; his friendliness, humor and curiosity always exists in our mind. I can also learn much from his calm. Even though when things become harder, he keeps quiet and gives expensive ideas, which are strong enough to defuse all our excessive fermentation. Up till now, I still remember a memory at Mid-Autumn Festival at Tan lap Primary School. When I didn’t do a good job as MC of that program, the

manager’s bad preparation. However, he was not angry with me, even a little bit. Gently, he only talked to us: “You did A good job! Being MC for about 10 times, and you will be confident and strong enough!” I really laughed after hearing that. Obviously, I understood that my biggest

mistake was the lack of experience and patience! It is true that, he influences me so much. Not mentioning about his admirable personality anymore, he may be very different from all people I have met in my life. Sometimes, I asked myself: “How can such a little and simple person like him think of big ideas?” Moreover, what he is trying to gain is not for himself, but for a community. It seems that he has a very far and broad vision. Sometimes, he also gives us many meaningful talks, but the ones I remember most are: “For a better education!” And: “I have a dream that people all over the world will study Vietnamese one day… …but to make the dream come true, we first have to learn English so that Vietnamese values and culture can be introduced to the world” All what he said is illustrated by all what he has been doing. In conclusion, he looks like a man opening all doors and dreams for his students. I, look just like a child in this huge world! So, having good directions for life is really important for my life. And I am so lucky to be a student of him! He turned my life to a very correct direction by both his broad knowledge and generous heart.

Bui Thanh Huong

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About writers

Diem Thi Thu Thuy English Education K33

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan English Education K32

Ngo Thi Thanh English Education K32

Quach Thi Thuy Thien English Education K32

Bui Thi Thanh Huong

English Bachelor K34

Photo credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/73907854@N00/513425346/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pensiero/3989957050/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035609331@N01/3828414/

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Thank you!

Curator: Phung Van Huy | [email protected] Designer: Tran Thi Hai Yen| [email protected]

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