Video activity - The Effort You Put in Determines the English You Get Out

 

Video activity

The Effort You Put in Determines the English You Get Out

Some students think, "This class is too easy. I don’t even need to do the homework or assignments to pass." And at first glance, they might be right. My grading system rewards effort—you get points for simply attempting the homework, even if your answers aren’t perfect. I do this because I want to encourage participation and practice, the two most important aspects of learning a language.

But here’s the problem: Some students take this as a free pass to do nothing. They assume that since the exams aren’t extremely difficult, they’ll pass without putting in real effort. And while that might be true technically, it completely misses the point.

Why Some Students Fail (and Others Succeed)

Last semester, I noticed something interesting. Some students who weren’t strong in English decided to skip assignments, assuming they could still pass. Others, however, took advantage of every opportunity to improve. One key example? The individual assignment. It wasn’t worth many points, so a lot of students just ignored it, thinking they didn’t need it.

The result? Some students failed by just one point. Those who had done the individual assignment received the extra point they needed to pass. But those who skipped it? I let their final grade stand as it was.

Did I enjoy failing them? Of course not. But I had to draw a line. If I let students believe they can do nothing and still pass, I would lose their respect, and the value of my class would mean nothing. More importantly, they would lose the opportunity to actually improve their English.

The Real Test: Your Future

Here’s the truth: The students who put in the effort now will be the ones who see results later. English isn’t just another school subject—it’s a key that unlocks opportunities. Imagine missing out on a great job just because you didn’t take your English studies seriously when you had the chance.

And that brings me to something else I noticed in class. I once played a video for discussion, asking students to watch and answer questions. When I looked around the room, most students were staring at their phones. Only two were actually watching the video.

No wonder only a few students succeed. Is it a lack of ability? No. It’s a lack of motivation.

That’s why I tell stories about success. Because success doesn’t come to those who wait—it comes to those who are willing to pay the price.

So ask yourself: Are you putting in the effort to succeed? Or are you just hoping to scrape by?

The choice is yours. But remember—your future will reflect the effort you put in today.

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 03 Mar 2025

Wechat (Weixin) Views

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Wechat (Weixin) Views

As September 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the start of this semester. With classes back in session, I’ve had the chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. It’s been especially refreshing to make friends with the freshmen—many of them are full of excitement as they begin their college journey. They’re easy to spot around campus, especially before their military training ends, since they’re required to wear uniforms that set them apart. As a foreigner, I seem to catch their attention quite often. Many have told me they’ve never had the opportunity to speak with someone from another country, which makes our conversations all the more special.

Li Xiaoyu (Freshman student with the military uniform)

My role as a teacher extends far beyond the classroom. Many of the friendships I form at the university are with students who never actually become my own. Still, when I connect with a freshman and help them believe that—with consistent effort—they can achieve strong English skills by the time they graduate, the impact is profound. The rewards of mastering English are both financial and social, and I’m here to support them on that journey. I’ve had the privilege of helping several students already, and it brings me immense joy.

Last week, I celebrated my birthday on Thursday, September 25. To my surprise, I received a cake on Saturday—something I truly hadn’t expected. It was such a thoughtful gesture that I ended up sharing the moment on WeChat. The response was overwhelming in the best way. Not only did many people reach out, but I also reconnected with old friends who had graduated years ago from the universities where I taught before moving to Zhengzhou. It was a heartwarming reminder of the lasting connections built through teaching.

Me and LouYike next to me and a cake

LouYike, pictured next to me above, was the one who surprised me with a birthday cake—and I truly appreciated it. When I first arrived in China back in 2018, I assumed my birthdays would feel lonely. I had no family here and didn’t know anyone at the time. But thankfully, there are always kind and thoughtful people like LouYike who make sure the day doesn’t pass unnoticed. I never expect anything—just a simple birthday wish would be enough—but more often than not, it comes with a cake, candles, and singing. It’s those gestures that make all the difference.

One of my old friends who reached out to wish me a happy birthday was XuRui, whom I met in Jiujiang back in 2020. We became really good friends during that time. He often joined me for walks around Lushan Mountain, which is near the university there. XuRui graduated a couple of years ago, and I still remember him as one of the students with truly impressive English skills.

XuRui and I recently caught up over a video call to reminisce about old times. We talked about many things—life, work, and how much has changed. He used to teach IELTS, but has since left that job to pursue a freelance career. He definitely has an entrepreneurial spirit, and while going solo can be challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding if done right. XuRui is a smart and capable person, and I’m genuinely cheering him on as he takes this exciting step forward.

Another thing that stood out to me is that XuRui has been in a relationship for two years now. I shared some thoughts with him—these days, it often feels like many people only want to date someone who already has a stable job, a car, and a house. So when you're still a university student without those things, it can be hard to find someone who truly sees you for who you are. That’s why I told him: if she started dating you while you were still a student, that’s a very good sign. It means she values you for who you are, not for your money or success. A girl like that is rare to find, and it’s just one more reason I think he’s incredibly lucky. I’m genuinely happy for him.

I also told XuRui how lucky he is—not just because his girlfriend is very cute, as you can see in the photo, but because their relationship seems genuine. I shared a story with him about a couple I met here in Zhengzhou. I even taught a few classes at their English school, which they run out of their own apartment. They had converted several rooms into classrooms. The wife told me that her husband had lost his job, and it was her idea to start the school since she speaks English well. Now, they work together to support their family. If she had only been interested in money, she might have left him—but she didn’t. They’re still together, strong and united, raising two beautiful children. You can see the love between them. They’re a wonderful example of a happy couple who understand that marriage is a blessing when built on the right foundation.

His answer after sharing the story with him

 That’s why I believe XuRui is heading in the right direction. If you’re reading this, XuRui, I genuinely wish you all the best. You deserve it. You were a great student, and I’m confident that will reflect in your life after graduation. Don’t get discouraged—life always has its bumps, but those challenges can’t hold good people down.

Teaching as a volunteer at that couple´s school (from the story I shared with XuRui)

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 29 Sep 2025

 

Blood donation

Blood

🩸 Better to Give Than to Receive: Blood donation in Zhengzhou.

Today in Zhengzhou, China, I donated blood—and walked away with more than just a sense of fulfillment. I left with an umbrella, a drink, some crackers, and even a scale! Quite the haul for one donation. But gifts aside, what stayed with me most was the feeling that giving is always better than receiving.

My blood type is O+, one of the most universally helpful types. It’s a quiet superpower—knowing that my donation could support a wide range of patients, from accident victims to those undergoing surgery. And while I’ve donated blood in the USA, Canada, and of course in my own country, each experience feels just as meaningful as the first.

There’s something deeply human about giving. In a world that often measures success by what we accumulate, giving reminds us of a different kind of wealth—the kind that grows when shared. Whether it’s blood, time, kindness, or care, giving connects us to others in ways that receiving never can.

So yes, I received some thoughtful gifts today. But the real reward was invisible: the quiet joy of knowing that someone, somewhere, might be better off because of me.

If you’ve ever considered donating blood, I encourage you to take that step. It’s safe, quick, and deeply rewarding. And if not blood, then give in other ways—your attention, your help, your love. Because in the end, giving is what makes us human.

 

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 24 Sep 2025

 

Rain and mud

💦 Rain, Mud, Yogurt, and the Great Fall: A Tale of Two Slips.

Zhengzhou has been doing its best impression of a rainforest lately—rain pouring down for days, turning sidewalks into rivers and unpaved paths into slippery mudslides. Today, I witnessed a scene straight out of a slapstick comedy (minus the laugh track): a student, brave and determined, took a detour to avoid the flooded main road… only to meet his fate in the mud.

One moment he was walking, the next—splat!—he was down, swallowed by the earth like a soggy burrito. It was one of those moments where everyone gasps, then pretends not to stare, while secretly hoping he’s okay and also kind of grateful it wasn’t them. For him, it was a tragedy. For the rest of us, a reminder: nature has a wicked sense of humor.

And oh, how it brought back memories.

Flashback to January 2020. Zhuzhou. I was teaching, the skies were clear, but the ground still held the soggy secrets of previous rains. I was coming back from the canteen for lunch, as I always do (some habits are sacred),carrying a humble cup of yogurt—my post-lunch treat, my dairy delight.

Then it happened.

One misstep. One traitorous patch of wet earth. And down I went, like a majestic tree felled in slow motion. My clothes? A canvas of mud. My dignity? Left behind in a puddle. And the yogurt? Oh, the yogurt. It exploded on impact, splashing across my black jacket in a dramatic burst of white. I looked like a modern art installation titled “Despair in Dairy.”

I had to trudge back home, dripping and defeated, to change clothes. Fortunately I had have my Lunch already. Pride was bruised. And while I can laugh about it now, trust me—on that day, it was anything but funny.

So when I saw that student fall today, I didn’t laugh. I winced. I remembered. I empathized. Because once you’ve been baptized by mud and yogurt, you never forget.

Rain may wash away many things, but it never washes away a good story.

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 19 Sep 2025