And she is officially a teacher. Oh yes.

On Sunday night, we were, at about 9pm, taken to our twelve classes, each with over seventy seventeen to twenty year old students. What a kerfuffle we caused. On entering each room, students cheered, clapped, looked in awe, took photos, whispered and nudged one another. Mr Zhang introduced us to them all and prepared them for their week to come with us as their new english teachers. He asked them to be our friends and drummed into their tired minds that they must embrace this opportunity and study extra hard. Scary shizzle.

My week began with Class 11 at 9.20am. Nerves invaded my stomach; banana porridge suddenly didn't seem like such a good idea - but it's ok, there was no vomming of any form. On entering the classroom, the students greeted me with their usual uproar, disturbing the entire senior two block. After class, I waited outside my senior two block for Zoe, who is teaching senior one. I turned around to face this four storey building to see each block lined with endless rows of students all gazing open mouthed at me. Waving soon returned them to their classrooms!

I loved every moment of my lesson, although was concerned by the confusion caused on asking students "what is your name?" They have been studying english for over five years and I have met many a student who can only say "sorry" or "hello". All of their lessons are in chinese, but I assumed that, by the standard of their written english, their speech would be relatively good, even if it was at a basic level. Alas, the challenge is far greater than anticipated. Plus, I have come across the ever-so-delightful naughty students, who insist on winding fellow pupils up, interrupting my lesson plan. Ironically enough, these are not the students who are bored through lack of understanding, their english is often rather good, meaning that their intention to sabotage class fails when students realise english can be fun!

Yesterday and today have been my hardest days; the standard seems to slip as the week progresses. I had one boy who, when asked "how old are you?", actually vaulted his desk and sprinted out of class, followed closely by his friend. Today, I was covering the same topic: introductions and conversation, only to be confronted with empty looks after saying "hello".

I'm enjoying it all though. I love walking out of lessons and been crowded by pupils, eager to know about me and my life, some taking photos and posing stupidly with me, the "HELLOs" that are shouted endlessly from all directions, the giggles when I respond, the enthusiasm of some, the excitement when I produce a bag of sweets in class, the joy at seeing an english coin for the first time - a penny being solid gold out here - the "WE LOVE YOUs", "YOU ARE BEAUTIFULs" and "WILL YOU BE MY FRIENDs?!" screeched from buildings. It's such a fantastic environment, so caring, so easily pleased, so happy. It makes me wonder what's happened to our society back home...

...these students work from 6.30am till 10.30pm, they have so much homework, they stay up until the wee hours of the morning. They are in school at weekends, they are in school all evening. Their whole lives are so busy, so hectic and yet, they are so welcoming, so happy and so eager to learn. We in England work for a mere six hours or so a day and we moan. Come out to China and you'll understand what hard work and determination to suceed is.

Before I delve any further into the depths of the world, I shall expel my excitement about the Haikou gang's visit this weekend. How much am I missing them?! As much as a fat kid misses chocolate cake when on a diet, that's how much! Next week, we shall return to the hostel to visit them and the newbies and, of course, the sacred Allen's bar.

The bell is summoning my presence in class.

Off I dash!