My students here are outstanding. My class is called “Oral English” and the only rules for Oral English are that I need the students to speak English . . . Orally. Basically, I’m allowed to teach whatever I want, as long as the students are actively engaged in speaking because, unfortunately, the education system currently is based on reading and writing English, and so most Chinese students study English throughout their entire education career but cannot speak or understand oral English at all. When I first started teaching this class, I was assigned 27 students. Now, because of word of mouth, I have about 35, and every day more join. We are having a blast, and I love my students! In China, it’s okay to befriend your students, and is actually expected in some situations. This is convenient for me, because it allows me to have Chinese friends, and it also provides me with Chinese language tutors! My students love to help me with my Chinese before/after class (as well as anything else they can help me with! “Can I help you write anything on the board, Valerie?”, “Do you need me to sort your papers, Valerie?”…). Some of the very eager students come to class an hour before class starts just to chat with me, offer to help me with language, with class preparation, to teach me about Chinese customs, or to ask me advice on things. It’s amazing how much they think my opinion matters here…my students ask me for advice on very personal things, and they take what I say very seriously. It’s intimidating, especially because I know the advice I would give students asking the same question in America has to be very different from the advice I give in China, because, for one, here my advice is taken VERY seriously, and two, our cultures are so vastly different and what might work in the states doesn't necessarily work in China. It’s an interesting situation to be in, and I do my best to help them come to their own decisions by simply asking questions and letting them talk (it's also great out-of-class oral English practice!). I think in most cases students just like that they can vent about their problems in a foreign language to an outsider who they know they can trust. Regardless, I love our relationships. Before and after class, my students and I are friends who talk about anything. The minute class starts until the minute class ends (and I shout “See ya later!” and they yell, in unison, “See ya later!” back), I am professional and taken seriously. It’s amazing how this relationship works, but it does, nevertheless. :)
This week, we had “College in America,” and focused on learning about American colleges compared with Chinese colleges. It’s been such a blast! I divided the class up into 6 different groups, and each group gave themselves a team name, team mascot, team cheer, etc. We’re working on “school pride” and throughout the week they’re competing to get the most points (the winning team gets American candy) by volunteering, helping each other, not getting caught speaking Chinese, etc. They had a mock freshman orientation, had roommate interviews, role-played roommate drama/fights, learned and taught each other about extracurricular activities, acted out a play, and even did some critical thinking. It’s been amazing. :) I’ve had quite a few people come in and observe my class and every day I’ve been told something along the lines of “I heard great things about your classroom,” and “wow, you have a great teaching presence! What a cool lesson!” which is always great to hear, especially when teaching in a foreign place where I cannot even define the subject matter (Oral English is what, exactly?).
As of this coming Friday, I was supposed to be finished teaching and hand my class over to Jessica, who has not yet gotten the chance to teach (we divided up our weeks). However, today (after a successful Chinese test!), I was told that Washington apparently asked that, instead, I take half of the students and create a new class with another PC volunteer, Kristen, and continue to teach next week. I’m so excited to get to continue teaching, although now I’m bombarded with the question: what to teach next week?! I certainly hadn’t planned on it, don’t have a lot of time to prepare lessons, and I’m a bit worried about throwing something together too hastily. Any advice you’d like to give would be great! :)
In the meantime, know everything is feichang hao (very, very good!), and I love China. The few things I thought I found stressful in the beginning of training have now been replaced with sheer gratitude. I am SO grateful to be here, I am SO grateful for the experiences I’m having, the people I’m meeting, and the training I’m receiving. I couldn’t be happier.
I’d like to leave this blog with a hug and a kiss to my mom and brother, who are traveling to Wyoming right now (good for you, Brave Woman, you are my hero!), to my dad, who is working extra hard at extracting honey (you’re a rockstar, Daddy, and I love and appreciate everything you do!), and to my cousin Colin and future cousin Crysta, who are getting married this weekend. :) Congrats, and welcome to the family, Crysta! I wish I could be there for your big day!! I’ll be thinking of you both!!
XOX
P.S. I decided to use a different online photo album, and put a link to it on the side of my profile ("My China Pics!!"). I update it pretty frequently so feel free to check it out!! :)
http://picasaweb.google.com/ValerieFlynn
Me teaching a "College Life" lesson
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