Hello Cafetalk Community!

How are you? I'm happy to correspond with you again. Today, I experienced a deeply touching moment in my life, and wanted to share it with you! It's nothing monumental or anything, but my student's gesture made me feel a sense of accomplishment and utter joy after our lesson! A student named, Riku whom I met online, gave me this amazing piece of mosaic artwork shown above as a gesture of "thank you"!

Riku presented me with the artwork because he successfully completed his classroom assignment. Essentially, the assignment required a guardian/teacher and Riku to go outside the school premises, find a foreigner on the street, and interview them in English. Due to a lack of foreigners outside at the time, combined with the scorching heat, they decided to call me online.

However, when Riku first came online, he immediately became shy, and afraid, and quickly ran away. However, his teacher told him to return to the lesson, and he did. Luckily, he rejoined the call promptly, and we communicated briefly but meaningfully in English.

[Artwork: Topic - Omatsuri] - Japanese Summer Festival

*Please observe the items in the picture. They are items that represent a Japanese Festival or "Omatsuri." The artwork contains a wind chime, yukata, and goldfish in a bowl depicted in front of a bright blue background. I loved receiving this awesome gift with a great big "thank you" written on it, made my day and I felt like crying happy tears!

[What I learned from this encounter:]

Before I was given this wonderful picture, I didn't realize that such a brief and seemingly insignificant encounter could impact a child's life so much! Perhaps, he will become curious about learning more English from now on.

Never underestimate the words you say to children and how you treat them. In short, the more they feel valued, accepted, and encouraged by you, the better the child feels about themselves. These feelings relate directly to their self-esteem, confidence, and sense of worth.

I believe this special and priceless gift was just a small token and compilation of the work I've been doing to help so many of my Cafetalk students--from children to adults of all ages. Teaching is rewarding especially when you witness your student's growth and progress rapidly.

I encourage all of you to keep learning English and one day, you will be fluent before you know it! My best wishes with your English journey among other things! Thank you for letting me share my small happiness!

Warmest regards,

Lady Ayame
(Patricia Ayame Thomson)