Khan Sovann Borey is my newest student in class and this morning I got impressed on him. From the first time I’ve met him, I knew that he is not an ordinary student. He is more upbeat than his classmates and he is also an instant favourite within the boys. Borey also speaks good English meaning he can converse well, his grammar may not be perfect but it is forgivable.

Today, he came to school with a big plastic of books, when I asked him what are those for he immediately replied that those are for Neath and Houy (female classmates who also likes reading), he’s going to lend them the books so they can read at home. Curiously, I asked to see his collection and I am amazed with the kinds of stories he like to read. The 24 books he brought comprises of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, Charles Dickens’ stories, Edgar Allan Poe’s novels, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and many more not to count the rest he has at home! I can’t believe he had finished them all. He also admits that there are some phrases that he didn’t understand due to his poor English but after practicing every day he gradually improved his skills.

He likes to watch movies as well, and his faves are Jaws, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. For me, he is impressive! This is my first time to meet a student who loves reading like him, let’s admit that most are very lazy and don’t even want to bother reading the cover of a simple novel, adding to the fact that most Khmers are not exposed in reading especially in English. I have lots of students who are inclined in comics but never story books. Borey is extraordinary. I hope that he’ll continue with his good habits and improve more in his studies.

I am proud to be his teacher.