Washington Academy of Languages

Photo Credit: Debbie Chan

Recently, I was going to go to Bainbridge Island with a small group of WAL students as a Saturday activity.  But, due to some unforeseen reasons, my expectations were wrong.  The activity did not draw as many students as I thought it would, and the lone student who wanted to come, cancelled at the last moment.

So there I was…. at our usual WAL meeting spot at a Starbucks store in Pioneer Square, but with no students and no where to go!  What was I to do? Just go home, or go shopping in downtown Seattle to enjoy my free afternoon?  Nope, I thought. I decided that I STILL wanted to go to Bainbridge Island  – even if I went alone.

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Wow! I’m glad to say that our on-going student activity, called “Super Surprise Thursdays,” has really been new, fun, and different lately! What a great benefit to our WAL students, and for the guests that have come and graced the halls of WAL!

First of all, in March, we hosted Thom Harp, the director and co-writer of the upcoming feature film, Fortune Hunters (here’s a shameless plug by me: www.fortunehuntersmovie.com).

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january 15. [globe farm.]

Originally uploaded by misscaro

We thought we’d take this opportunity to share news from around the Seattle area of cultural events happening this season.

From January 24 – June 7, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture hosts the exhibit Coffee: The World in Your Cup. This exhibit looks at how world cultures, economies, and environments are affected by the coffee industry. There will be a number of events related to this exhibit, which you can read about here. The tastings and demonstrations look particularly interesting!

On Thursday, February 19, the Seattle Asian Art Museum will host a panel discussion titled “Playing with Power: States, Art and Patronage in Jodhpur.” The panel will discuss the cultural, historical, literary and social context of the works featured in the exhibition Garden and Cosmos: The Royal Paintings of Jodhpur. You can find more information on the Seattle Art Museum’s web calendar here.

The Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival comes back this year the weekend of April 17. From the Seattle Center’s website: “From the booms of taiko drums to the silence of ikebana flowers, the event is a feast for the senses. Delicious Japanese food, tea ceremony demonstrations and artwork present both a modern and ancient view of this complex culture.”

In May of this year, the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington will celebrate its centennial. Leading up to that celebration, the school will host a series of events on international topics. One highlight: “Monthly Centennial Lecture Series with the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle Featuring Resat Kasaba, Professor of International Studies. Topic: Middle East Roundtable - Politics and Economy in a Changing World.” This talk will take place on February 10.

More to come!

Some ideas are just more “delicious” than others, it appears.

I’m talking about our most recent “Super Surprise Thursday” at WAL. This is when there’s a “mystery” activity happening one Thursday every session, for our English students. It always happens during the lunch hour, but as usual, no details or information are given until the day before the event! Students are kept guessing. Sometimes, so am I!

For example, little did the students know that originally, I was thinking I would do something related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19) or even for the upcoming Presidential Inauguration of President-Elect Barack Obama (Jan. 20). But those ideas didn’t pan out. It just didn’t seem to work in my head creatively. Time was running short.

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At WAL’s Intensive English Program, we meet new students from faraway countries every 5 weeks. We spend time together as a group, and build a bond with them, and then POOF! Some leave right after their one-session stay, and we don’t always hear back from them or know how they are doing once they return home. It can be quite sad, actually.

But thank goodness for the internet and EMAIL!

In the past, we would have to send a fax, letter, or postcard to stay in touch. Today, there’s email, social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, blogs (like this one!) and yes – phone calls and “snail” mail still works.

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I’ve worked at WAL for many years as an activities coordinator with our English language students. At the beginning of each new term, I must plan a menu of things to do, see or play so that the students can enjoy using the English language skills they are learning at WAL.

But sometimes… I just need MORE time to think up something. Getting that perfect “idea” at the beginning of a session just doesn’t come very easily. There are times you just can’t get an old idea out of your head. How do I let myself think of ideas that are new and different for our students, and yet still have an excitement about it for myself as well?

How about by thinking of NO IDEAS at first? (Do I have your curiosity now?)

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As activities coordinator for our international students at WAL who are learning English as a Second Language, I have a lot of fun. Plus, a lot of “on the job” adventures to share. Let me tell you about one…

A few weeks ago, a small group of students and I went to Seattle Premier Outlets in Tulalip, WA, We wanted to experience American bargain shopping at its best! The one problem: this trip required taking 3 buses from downtown Seattle! For anyone who has spent much time in Seattle, you know how treacherous this can be.

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