# 57 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College-The Evaluation and Campus Capers

For those of you who actually look at the date on my blogs, you can rest assured that you haven't missed a heap of blogs! I'm back from my summer adventures and into my third week of my fourth teaching semester here at Taizhou Teachers College. It really is hard to believe I've been here for such a length of time and despite having a wonderful summer, it's really good to be back. I am especially relishing my own bathroom and not living out of a backpack! It's also great to catch up with friends, colleagues and students who all seem to have enjoyed their summer break immensely. Everyone seems relaxed, confident and full of energy, in marked contrast to earlier this year when facing the prospect of the Government Evaluation. At that time, everyone was working so hard and such long hours (and had been for many months previously), it seemed almost too hard to summon up the energy to be enthusiastic about anything!

Today it's a really wet afternoon (there's a typhoon drenching Shanghai and we're on the edge of it), so here's a great opportunity to "catch up" . In doing so I have discovered this blog that I believed I had already published! So let me share with you (somewhat belatedly!) some of my thoughts from earlier this year on the all important process of Government Evaluation that all government education institutions undergo every few years. In addition, I have included a few photos of some of my students engaging in various activities to show that it is not always such hard work to be a college student (or teacher) here!

After many months of hard work and preparation it was finally time for The (highly anticipated) Evaluation. The Evaluation is a process that occurs once every 5 years to thoroughly investigate every aspect of the functioning of an institution, from facilities to teaching and learning and administrative processes. A team of experts from all over Jiangsu Province spent the week from April 23-27 here and it was a nerve-wracking time for all but we foreign teachers, who obliviously went on as usual!

It was the first time we had been assessed since achieving the status of higher level college and also the first time since the Foreign Language Department was formed (about 3 years ago). Consequently, Dean Fan was feeling the pressure more than most, as it was inevitable the team would pay special attention to our Department. Many improvements had been made, both big (mainly in the quality of facilities and equipment, see earlier blogs), and also small (eg fine-tuning of organizational procedures). All meant to show case our little campus and to demonstrate our abilities, achievements and level of professionalism. An institution of which the Government could be proud. Everyone had worked so hard and were so anxious that "The Experts" would view us favourably.

Needless to say, the process went very well and to celebrate, an entertainment extravaganza was organized. It was nothing short of spectacular! Somewhat similar to the New Year Presentation but with much more pizzaz! We even had “fireworks” on the stage! It’s amazing to experience the breadth and depth of talent possessed by both our teachers and students. The whole event was equal to or better than any of the professional performances I have had the pleasure of attending anywhere in the world. One can only imagine the treat that is in store for us in the form of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games of the 26th Olympiad in Beijing next year!

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