(Written by a former high school physics teacher in Shanghai)
Mr friend Liu had an accident three weeks ago. She suffered a broken leg after a car hit her while she was crossing the street and her head was severely bruised. Her English teacher and I were concerned about the injuries, as there was a possibility that her memory might be affected. So yesterday, after her transfer from the hospital to a nursing home, we visited her.
Liu and I have both studied English in a Learning Center at a church in Portland. She had a one-on-one tutor named Kathy who was very patient with her. She is a very nice lady who speaks very slowly and carefully. On several occasions she didn't feel all that good, but she never failed to appear for class. During the summer, most of the English teachers took a vacation for three months, but Kathy didn't take a break; she continued to work with Liu.
We got the address of the nursing home from the hospital and I didn't know what bus to take so Kathy said she'd pick me up. She told me she wanted to bring some flowers, but I said, "You are going to see her. That will make her very happy. You don't need to take anything." She didn't know if I was correct about that and said that she and Liu were friends. She wanted to know that if it was acceptable for teachers and students to be friends in China. I responded that sometimes they are, but that I knew that Liu appreciated everything that had already been done for her, as she knew that it came from the bottom of a very generous heart. She wouldn't want to accept anything more.
It's true that Kathy is Liu's good friend, and so am I.
When we entered Liu's room, we found her lying on the bed studying English. I wasn't surprised, as I knew that she was very worried about taking the citizenship test in December. She told us that her leg had been placed between two steel bars that were held together with screws. She was unable to move her leg. When she first was in the hospital, she had bad headaches, but she was feeling better. We were glad to hear that her memory was still good.
Kathy volunteered to go to the nursing home once a week to continue the English studies, but Liu really insisted that Kathy not put herself out in that way. She felt she would be able to make progress studying alone.
We had a good time visiting with Liu, but when I got back home I couldn't stop thinking about the tutors who help us learn English. I just couldn't get to sleep. Memories of how they'd helped us raced through my mind like scenes from a movie that I had watched over and over.
When we had begun studying, they had spoken all the words clearly and slowly to help us understand.
When we mispronounced English words, they patiently corrected us no matter how often we made the mistake.
When we were ashamed of forgetting words we thought we'd learned, they said that was common, that they had done it, too.
When we were upset about having to study so much, they explained that we already had learned Chinese and that is much more difficult than English so we should be proud of ourselves.
When we made a little progress, they were quick to repeat the beautiful words - Good Job!
When we lost interest in studying, they encouraged us to continue.
When homework wasn't submitted on time, it was assumed that you had other troubles.
When you wanted to write a good article and editing was needed, it was provided.
When you felt like cancelling class because of sickness or other things that needed doing, you remembered that the tutor never took time off.
When you had a bad mood, you were always reminded that there's a silver lining behind every cloud.
When you had personal problems, there was always someone to listen and try to help solve them.
When you had an accident, you had a friend who provided support.
When you.....No, I won't go on; there are far more ways that tutors help, as they become our good friends. I've always felt that we're very lucky to have the opportunity to receive their help. It makes me want to do my best, and I suppose that in essence that's the best way to thank them and show my respect.
I've often wondered, however, why tutors choose to do that type of volunteer work - why they want to spend so much time and energy preparing lessons and working with us. And I think I have the answer. It's because they understand that people from other countries urgently need to learn English so that they can participate fully in American life. They know that acquiring that knowledge will bring the student happiness, and though the tutor isn't thinking primarily of what the experience will mean personally, they benefit by learning about the other countries. In becoming friends with the students, they're reminded once again how small the world is that we live in today. Not thinking of themselves, they help others. That's a good path to follow, and with the knowledge I've gained through working with tutors, I'm going to be looking for opportunities to do as they do, too.