A student told me last week that she had used “a variety of benefits” and “cultivate healthy habits” during her PSLE Oral.

Another student had previously informed me that she had said something about “strengthening bonds” for her Oral exam. Today, a third student told me that he employed “strengthen bonding” — alongside “spend quality time”.

Sometimes, students sit down there so impassively, like zombies, that you wonder if anything is going into their heads. And there are other days like this — they tell you that they applied what you have taught them. It’s the slow burn of teaching. It takes time, but once it ignites, I feel good.