Dear He Lina

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me through your action research report. It is good to see how you have integrated the insights of others in your paper through critical engagement with their writings (referenced in your bibliography) This way of contextualising your reflections in the writings f others is something that some of your group in Guyuan could usefully learn from your work. On the other hand, I do recommend you look at the eloquent abstracts that enable the reader to get their bearings as they engage with a piece of writing - do take a look at Ling Yiwen's abstract for inspiration ...

What a wonderful celebratory way to engage my attention where you write 'I believe I'm one of the luckiest to choose what I love and love what I choose. I am proud to have chosen English as my major and to become an English teacher in 2003'

That is wonderful and I wish you all the sustained joy in teaching I have experienced in thirty years as a teacher - and much much more! You will be a standard bearer, an inspiration to other teachers! Your conclusion in your outline carries such determination and hope - you are more confident and you have grown not only professionally but personally too - now you can enable others to do so too.

I feel so excited to share your perceptions as a beginning teacher - your first class is so special - do remember to video them with you so you can enjoy their company in years to come and they can too!

I would like to suggest you talk to Ling Yiwen about her insights into why students have come to be so retiring in lessons - I agree with her that it is a reflection of the teaching methods previously used as well as a natural reticence to speak out - in my own research as an MA student at the Institute of Education at the University of London I enquired into the apparent lack of motivation among my students as foreign language learners. I found that they had a fear of success as well as a fear of failure - if they succeeded they were concerned they might not be able to live up to the praise they earned. Gradually we learnt how to work together just as I see you doing with your students - I do wish I had had Jean McNiff's and Jack Whitehead's wonderful writing and presence to guide me back then ...

Do reconsider how you have expressed the ways that you stimulate your students to speak - I think this is an area of your writing that merits more explication - can you explain how you differentiated between the students you identify so they are engaged in a learning journey with you, as individuals? I am sure this is what you have done - but I don't see you write about it in the account you offer.

It is wonderful to see how you have used praise (when it is merited) to stimulate motivation. It is ironic that too much praise, and not enough challenge or praise inappropriately given, can de-motivate the students we teach.

Your work is crucial as a teacher researcher not just in Guyuan but beyond - your passion for equality of opportunity shines out of your writing and like a beacon can draw others to ensure this occurs. I see evidence in your text, especially where you write about crucial events like when Jin Guoliang stood up and asked a question that your efforts to enable all students to master English and grow as learners are bearing fruit. I love the way you write 'I called Guo Xiaomei, who was looking at me now ...' I can imagine the students attention fixed on you as they enjoy your teaching ... how about some photographs of you engaged in teaching in your classroom with your students so that I and the 1000s of others who will read you account can experience what you are saying visually and in writing?

In my opinion, you communicate such an affirming spirit as you work with your class - 'When I asked whether they'd like to continue doing it. they affirmed with a loud and joyful 'Yes". Superb!

Might I suggest you look at some of the Pathfinder books I have identified in my notes to your group in Guyuan - I think you will enjoy them - and you might decide to write a guidebook yourself ..?