One of the things I encourage all my students to do is keep a diary and try their best to write one entry per week. Unlike conversation, which is the focus of Smith’s conversation school (英会話), writing demands time. We are able to take the time to check vocabulary, spelling and grammar. Most students talk about the trips they took but I get a whole variety. Just before X-Mas one student shared with me his diary entry and I was impressed so I thought I’d share it with some of you to show that we don’t need to take a trip to some exotic land or have an amazing adventure to write a good story. I hope you’ll find it as intriguing as I did. The title is “A Winter Day.”
Pt.1
When I left home, it was completely light outside. I squinted because of the bright sunshine, and shivered with the cold wind .I could see people wearing scarves and heavy coats. It was a perfect winter day.
People in the morning walk with quick steps. Why ?I don’t know .It might be because they don’t want to be outside or they try to exercise for their health. I also walk with quick steps because if I don’t, I’ll miss the train.
I walked though a park. I always go though the park when I go to the nearest station. In the park, some old people regularly exercise as if they are parts of the park. After passing through the park, I finally reached the station.
Pt. 2
I always take the same car of the some train. I don’t have any special reason, for example, the nearest to the station exit where I get off or the car is my rendezvous with my friend, it is really nothing. I got into the habit without noticing it. Now, I arrived at the platform. I fumbled in my pocket for my cellphone and took it out. But I couldn’t operate it well because of my shaky hand, so I put back my cellphone, and blew my breath to my hand for warming my hand. Soon, feeling in my hand returned, I took out my cellphone again and opened it. Since I didn’t get a new mail, I tried to check my schedule. Then, the train arrived at platform.
I just love the way my student took the time to go into such detail of what was going on around him and it was very obvious to me by his choice of vocabulary that he used a dictionary. I can’t wait for the continuation.
Keep up the great work.
Adrian
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