We Put the Stars in Your Eyes

Having now been here for four months the idea well is starting to run dry. I've been trying to do lessons on American culture that are informative as well as interesting for both the students and myself, all while trying to work within the boundaries of their vocabulary. This is no easy task! For the last couple of months I had been debating having the students write a fan letter to an American celebrity. I was afraid that they would be disappointed if no response was received. We have a two-week break coming up so I decided to give the lesson a try, figuring it was a good way to go into vacation. I think this has been the best lesson yet! Some of the students have gotten really involved in the process. Each class is allowed to vote (this is a democracy after all!) on who they would like to write to. In some cases, two celebrities are chosen since not many of the boys are interested in writing to Brad Pitt. Besides Brad Pitt, who makes the list with French kids? Jennifer Aniston, Johnny Depp, Vin Diesel, Eminem and 50Cent. Brad wins overall, however, having been chosen by 2 classes.
Some of the students are rather lazy and put the minimum effort required into their letters. Many of the students pose the question, "How did you get started?" since it was one of the examples I put on the board. Others, however, have really embraced the project and their English level shines through. I have been proofreading the letters to make sure nothing inappropriate slips through and I have been impressed with the maturity of some of my students. A few commented on the lies published by journalists concerning the divorce of Brad and Jennifer and expressed their sympathy for the couple. One student writing to Eminem touched on how real his songs are, how they talk about real-life experiences, and how touched she was by his film because it was a life style she doesn't know. I think my favorite letter, however, comes from a student writing to Jenifer Aniston. He describes himself as a "very beautiful boy" with long blond hair, but not "too long." He also describes himself as being a 24 year-old (obviously changed from the original 14 year-old) millionaire businessman. Gotta love it!