Teamwork at Xia Da!

Shortly after our mid-term exams, our Foundation Chinese teacher was starting to become anxious as she believed that we wouldn't have time to finish the lessons prior to the final exams in mid-January. Rightfully so I suspect. She keeps telling the class that "you must work harder." Our class falls into these categories, ones that get it, (parents or relatives of Chinese descendants), ones who care, work hard and still struggle, ( my category) and others who simply don't care.

During break, she came back with good news. She went to her superior who informed her that we did not have to finish the entire book if it was too much for us. You could see the change in her face. She was very relieved to hear that. In fact she was almost giddy with delight, knowing that she no longer had to stress about finishing the curriculum.

Being the kind, considerate students that we are, we assisted her with the timeline of course. A few of us suggested that due to the Christmas holidays, many students would not be attending classes and to schedule the review during this time period. She was most agreeable. A few of us continued giving her a timeline for the rest of the lessons and for the final reviews, pushing back the exam date. It works in everyone's favor including Chen Laoshi. Such teamwork, she declared. As it stands now, I would only miss one lesson instead of four.

Chen Laoshi did inform us that we had another week of classes after the exams and that we would be able to complete the book during that time period.

Who ever heard of more classes after your final exams?