Messages my Students Taught Me

From one of my previous blogs (A Day in the Life of Fei), some of you are aware of the trouble I had trying to teach my sophomore Public Speaking and Debate class. One of my biggest issues with this course was the class size ; 63-78 students per class. I have had these students before and I absolutely adore them, but by the end of the week, I was exhausted and my voice was gone from using all my energy to make this class enjoyable.

For my students' final exam, I wanted them to be able to deliver a speech using the techniques I taught them in regards to public speaking. In order to motivate and create ownership in their work, I gave my students 4 choices of topics they could write about for their final They had to deliver the speech in the front of class, pretending as if they were really delivering a speech. Below are the choices for their final exam (culminating assessment) .:

1)   Write a wedding speech for your best friend's wedding. 

2)   Write a speech to the people of China explaining why they should vote for you as the next Chairwoman / man of China.

3) Write a eulogy for someone you love (who has either already passed or what you hope to say to someone who will leave you one day.)

 4)  Write a letter to your future baby.

Each choice had specific questions and outlines for how they would write the speech and what I wanted them to think about when writing and reflecting. I spent about 2 weeks hearing hundreds of speeches and each one touched my heart. Each speech was personal, thoughtful, charming and completely individual to the person. I learned more about my students in the last 2 weeks with them  than I ever had teaching them on a weekly bases for 2 years. In the End, they taught me more than I will ever teach them. Below are some of the messages they shared in their speeches :

For my best friend's Wedding :

Do not give up your career at any time. Married life is a part of life, it is not wise to let it become your whole life.

To those who have passed:

I will be living life, not only surviving it.

In a dream, you came to me and I said I was sorry for letting you down. I thought maybe you blamed me, but you said, '(I have been) holding your hand for 15 years, how could I be willing to ever let you go? '

Messages to their future children: 
As the saying goes, happiness is the soul of life.

Helping others is helping ourselves.

The moment we come to this world, the first thing we should learn is how to love. Love is the basic virtue of human beings ... Sometimes people may hate you, but do not hate them back. Hate can not fix anything, it can only bring us a miserable life ... When I was your age, your grandpa told me, 'as a man, you have to take responsibility for whatever you do. Admit every mistake you make and take whatever you do onto your shoulders. 'Remember, you will never say ' I am not responsible for this because ... 'These words belong to cowards.

Yes you will find cruelty and suffering in your journey through life, but do not let that close you off to new things. Do not retreat from life, do not hide or wall yourself off. Be open to new things, new experiences, and new people. You might get your heart broken 10 Times, but  find the most suitable  person on the 11 ^TH time. If you shut yourself off from love, you will miss out on that person.

Females are the most important part of my life. One of the first (women in my life) is your great-grandmother. Then it is your grandmother. I'm her son. The other important person is my wife. You look like her.

The most important thing I want to tell you is about love. Love is the most wonderful thing in this world. In the future, you may be a teacher, engineer, or an actor. You can choose your life and you may learn all kinds of knowledge. But the first skill you must learn is how to love. 

Your identity will make you beautiful.

Appreciate tragedies because they will enrich your mind.

We are born in love, we live by love.

The whole world is a village and you are a member of it.

At last, your life is decided by yourself, so enjoy it.

This activity and many others are a constant reminder that my students are experienced and their advice comes from their life and what has happened to them. It was beautiful to watch their stories come together. What was even more beautiful was their willingness to share their personal thoughts with me. For this, I am forever grateful and honored.