【食記】大安區 - akuma caca 可可設計人文咖啡 @ il Giardino Romantico

I had no idea what to look forward to until I arrived. This coffee shop is unique in every aspect. I came here with a previous student of mine, who had studied with me for over three years. She's now studying in the States, and I knew that she had come back to Taiwan for Christmas. I called her and set up a date to meet, but I left the venue completely up to her to decide. After having been a student a year myself, I told her when I met her, that I am no longer her teacher. I'd like to think that the relationship we have is pretty much like the concept of this coffee shop - finding a balance in a lack of proportion. I accredit the reason why we are still able to remain in contact with each other even until to day, to this reason.

天仙這天是在完全無預警之下來到這間無論是食物或是店內裝潢都非常具有特色的咖啡館的。原因是因為得知以前家教的一個學生因為美國聖誕假期有回到台灣，因此除了日期以外時間以及地點我都交給了這位可愛的學生決定。不過經過一年的學生生活下來，見面時我對他說：我現在已經不是你的老師了～其實我們平時的相處方式就很像這間店的設計理念：在不對秤當中找到一個彼此相處的平衡點。所以無論是在以前家教上課的過程還是我們雙方都遠赴國外繼續進修後，仍然可以將這段緣份一值維持下去。

This is the water glass that was served before we ordered. Once it was set on the table, I tried to grab it because I was afraid of it spilling. Until I realised that it was designed to tilt like this. I think this is also the impression that I used to give the parents of the kids I used to teach. If they did not have their full confidence in me, they would not have sought me.

尚未點餐之前，小姐送來的水杯。小姐一放上桌，我就很急忙的要去扶他。因為這樣的設計，產生一種"會打翻"的錯覺。其實我之前在家教的過程中，給家長的印象應該也是如此吧～所以對我沒有十足信心或是信賴的家長，是不可能會找上我的。

This is what the child ordered. The cup was also uniquely designed. The child also realised that it wasn't handy for left handers to use.

這杯是那孩子點的拿鐵。杯子的造型也是相當的特殊。那孩子還發現說，用左手不好拿～

If parents wanted me to focus the lessons according to what the kids were learning at school, the idea would always be rejected. Just like the design of this cup, I only used to teach students who were seriously looking to improve their English skills. I design the lessons to enhance all aspects - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. However, I NEVER used to teach the kids how to get high scores on their proficiency tests or their school midterms and/or finals.

如果有家長希望我針對學校的課程加強，一定會被我大力的拒絕。就跟這個咖啡杯一樣。我的教學理念，只針對真正想要學好英文的學生而設計。全方位聽說讀寫都兼顧。但是，我絕對不會去針對任何檢定考試或是學校月考段考去作課程的設計。

And because I was no longer a teacher, I did no refrain from ordering my booze. But this was also because the child was precocious enough to 'understand' what 'drinking socially' means.

既然已經卸下『老師』的身分，孩子也是特別成熟的個性，我就很不忌諱的點了我最愛的啤酒～

My idea of a decent teacher does not involve whether or not one has 'bad habits'. But a decent teacher must be able to guide their student towards the road on which they will be able to make decisions for themselves, and be aware of the consequences that come with each of those decisions. There is no point in keeping them away from the big big world, because they will eventually have to face it some day. I think it is better to give them some idea of what it's like out there, so as to better prepare them for it when the time comes. I'd never kept my weekend drinking habits away from this one, because she was responsible enough to understand. And because she was going to a much more open-minded society, I chose to 'educate' her in every aspect, so that she would be able to make the right judgement for herself.

在我的眼裡，一位老師稱不稱職，不是要看他有沒有什麼所謂的"不良嗜好"。而是在課程之於，引導學生如何做出對自己人生中的抉擇，並且讓他了解要對自己所決定的每一件事情負責任。大人的世界裡所接觸到的一些事情，不是完全不能讓孩子了解。而是要懂得如何讓孩子去理解。像這個孩子一向都非常負責任也相當成熟，所以即使在家教的時候，我偶爾也會提到週末品酒放鬆的事情。這些他們在未來都會接觸到的社會課程，我其實不太明白為何要刻意隱瞞或是避開不談。早點讓他們了解，用正確引導的方式讓他們在未來面臨到的時候更有萬全的準備不是更好嗎？(何況這位孩子又是遠赴社會觀念比我們開放太多的美國... )

Of course, there is also the food. This mushroom panini was absolutely delicious. Although the size of the meal was not very large, but the filling was extremely satisfying. I hope that the kids I used to teach felt the same way about my way of teaching, too.

當然，有了飲料也少不了輕食簡餐。這個蘑菇panini實在是有夠好吃。雖然panini的分量本來就不大，但是料很扎實，也很美味。希望以前上過我家教課的學生們對我以前的教學，也像我對這份蘑菇panini的滿意度一樣啊～

This was what the kid had ordered. Although I will never know what it really tasted like, this feeling is not unlike teaching. You will never know what your students really think of you and/or what you teach, but you will always be able to tell from their genuine and immediate expressions.

這份是那孩子點的燻雞panini。雖然我沒嚐到，不過其實這種感覺也像教學一樣。或許你永遠都沒有辦法聽到學生對你或是你的課程的真正想法。但是你從學生的反應就可以明顯的看出來，是滿意，還是掙扎...

And lastly, is the dessert. The learning process is difficult for both the teacher and the student. Although private lessons usually means higher hourly wages, the common misconception is that it is a sinecure that anyone can easily accomplish. However, when you're teaching one-on-one, it means you are designing a whole series of lessons to accommodate with each student. They have different levels to begin with, different speeds of learning, and different needs. Although it isn't exactly 'mission impossible' either, rest assure, it is definitely not as easy as you may think it is.

最後是甜點提拉米蘇。其實對學生或是老師而言，過程都是相當辛苦的。有些人認為家教很輕鬆。時薪一定比你在補習班兼課還要高，事情也會比補習班來的要少很多。但是因為是一對一，針對單一學生的程度、進度、需求去量身訂做一整個課程，雖然不能稱上是"不可能的任務"，但也絕非你想像中的輕鬆容易。