#86 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (A visit to Xinghua Wenzhong Middle School)

One of my great joys as a "Foreign Friend" at Taizhou Teachers College is when I am invited to rural schools in neighboring towns for a day-long visit, and I have the opportunity to interact with excited youngsters of all ages, who make their home on the campus. Such visits are usually made possible on weekends, and they provide me with unique opportunities to understand more clearly the system of education in China, and the expectations of students and teachers. The visits also become a unique resource and reference for my class-room instructions at TTC, since almost all of my college students are the future teachers of China. The visits also expose these young, rural, Chinese students, especially in the smaller towns and cities, to a Western faces, their culture, and their mannerisms.

Unfortunately, few native English speakers or tourists venture into the country-side, and the majority of young and eager Chinese students here never have the opportunity to experience an encounter with people from other countries. Their only knowledge of the West is gained from two-dimensional media-sources such as TV.

These charming village-youngsters hear about China's new openess, but they really don't understand its true meaning, until their first encounter with a person from "beyond".

Most of the teachers arriving from the West prefer to settle in the larger, more historic cities of China, where they have opportunities to be with other ex-pats and have access to some of Western luxuries, restaurants, and "other" diversions. They forget, that the true China-experience is found beyond the large cities, and miss-out on unique places, where they truly would be appreciated and could make a significant difference as "educators". What missed opportunities, what missed adventures!

For those who might consider a similar adventure as mine, do ponder the possibilities that are offered "on the road less traveled" in China, where life is not changing so rapidly, the pace is still in first gear, and the experience becomes one to cherish.

The youth of China yearn to meet foreigners and are thrilled to interact with them, but they have few chances to share those moments and practice some of their acquired English, which they find difficult to learn, but are eager use.

This international exchange of friendship, however short, will be talked about by these Chinese youngsters for weeks, and will surely give them impetus to know us better. Even a minimalistic exchange of English words will be remembered as their first great moment in their struggle to understand English as something useful, something that will enhance their future, and offer possibilites in their years yet to come.

They begin to understand, that learning English successfully may bring them international possibilities. For a child, this moment of saying "hello" and shaking hands with a Western visitor, is the first proof-positive, that the doors to China are truly open to the world. They will remember this first meeting all of their lifes.

In China, beginning with "Grade One", all pupils are now required to study English, and some are more successful then others. But each is eager and zealous in their enthusiasm to show-case their accomplishments. The slightest interaction coupled with a few English words give them an intense dose of self-confidence.

The younger students are less inhibited then the older ones, and they shout a friendly, "hello, how are you?", at the sight of any visitor from the West walking or visiting. Even the sight of a "handsome" face like mine on a campus enhances the reputation of the institution, and employing "good" Western teachers raises the school's standing.

It is customary throughout China, that students of all ages, from middle school to high school to college/university, live in the dorms of the school they attend. The number of students in each dorm-room varies, but usually ranges between five to ten boys or girls, of course in separate dorms.

My own college students at TTC tell me, that parents and the grand-parents are responsible for the youngest years of growth and development for a child. When they reach school-age, unless they live near the school but few of them do, the education and discipline of the youngsters will be taken over by the school authority, as students begin to make their way toward higher education.

Most students in China attend a public schools, where only academic achievement (or money) enhance their chances for the next better school.

They are bound by and must adhere to the rules of the school-authority, for the teachers are now responsible for the child's continued development, and they take this role very seriously.

China also has tens of thousands of private schools for those who can afford them. As with public schools, these private schools are structured similarly, more like boarding schools of the Western countries.

Here they will be divided into groups that study, play, and sleep together as units. The units are monitored by selected peers, who answer to their head-teachers. These teachers will take a close interest in all aspects of a student's life in their care, and they become their surogate parent.

The student's course of study and subjects are assigned by the school administration, and discipline is enforced by the school authority. Students are now responsible to the consequences of their school rather than to the repremands of their parents.

The school's daily schedule and routine is adhered to by everyone, 7 days a week. Parents lose control over their "one treasure" when they say good-bye to their child at the gate of the school. They will not see them again for weeks or months.

Mobile phones for the older students have made it easier to communicate with their loved ones at home. I have the feeling, the most use for mobile phones comes when the child runs low on money or with a kindling, secret love affair.

Students will be re-united with their parents during vacations, to be spoiled and pampered. This ends abruptly on their return to the school-campus, where once again they become part of their unit.

The campus of the schools are sprawling and many of them are of recent contruction. They house massive, modern, concrete buildings, that are open, and use the natural flow of wind-ventilation rather than the AC in the summer.

In the winter, the buildings are much colder with no heat, and students and teachers must dress in heavy winter coats to brave the hours of learning in the chilly classroom.

The campus consists of faculty and administration buildings, the class-room buildings, large dining halls, in-door/out-door sports-facilities which can double as an auditorium, and the student and faculty dormitories.

Most of the teachers also make their homes on campus in dorm-style apartments as part of the school-community. (To live in dormitories as part of your place of employment is normal in China, whether as part of a school community or workers employed by business and production companies.)

The "key-room" on campus for the students is their class-room. They will not only study and learn here, but during the day they will take their naps here, because it is the quiet place. Silence is expected in the class-room. If you wish to play or socialize, the dorm-room is the place.

It is the class-room where they will spend most of their time, overwhelmed by courses from morning to night and often into the weekends, supervised by a teacher. They are always pre-occupied by studies, and each fears falling behind, and not making the best score on their next examination.

The quality of their high school is determined by successfull scores in the middle school, and the high school test scores determine their place in the "quest" to gain access to a "quality" college or university.

This process of selecting the "cream of the crop" from among the students and fostering their promotion has been an educational tradition in China for centuries, and date to times of early dynasties and of Confucius. Then, students would endure strictly supervised examinations to promote only the best among them to administrative positions in the government.

This system of "Imperial Examinations", by which candidates were recruited into the ranks of the civil service, had its origin some 200 years BC, during the time of the Han dynasty, one of China's earliest and greatest dynasties. During this time, the government of China grew more complex, brought about by the unification of the empire.

An established, NON-hereditary corps of officials and administrators became the accepted basis of political organization, of great benefit to the emperor's successors and for the smooth running of this newly unified empire called China.

The competitive examinations tested knowledge of: economics, philosophy, and administration. Later, the principles and interpretations of the Confucian classics formalized the syllabus in studies for the "Imperial Examinations". Increasingly orthodox responses to the questions in form of a complicated essay limited originality and creative writing.

During the Ming Dynasty beginning in the 13th Century and throughout the Qing Dynasty these competitive examinations selected from the ranks of even the children of peasants.

The "Imperial Examinations" were finally abolished in 1905 by Empress Dowager Cixi, as her infamous reign brought on the decline of China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing Dynasty.

The "Royal Examinations" were held not only in the capitol, but also in provincial centers during autumn. By March, thousands of hopeful candidates would be assembling for the final examinations, held in Beijing every three years.

For nine days they would be confined in row upon row of tiny cells. They were fed meagre meals brought in from outside and were closely guarded by teacher-monitors.

They would write their complicated, "eight-legged essays", the success of which brought them the greatest of rewards. Success meant being received by the emperor in the Forbidden City, where they would join the ranks of the ruling elite.

For centuries, the examination was the only guaranteed means of entry into the imperial service. Corruption was minimal, though teachers were found to be bribed, and cribs were smuggled in, sometimes in the form of minute embroidery on the cuff of a robe.

Many talented sons of peasant families in this fashion were located and served brilliantly and found political advancement in the royal court.

The ideal of the loyal scholar-official has remained a figure of awe to the Chinese to this day. Stories are still frequent of dutiful ministers, who by gentle reminders, that an emperor's mandate to rule depended on a "government by righteousness", would often curbe the worst excesses of arrogant sovereigns. Over time, this system of competitive entry to the civil service was adopted by countries outside of China.

The "photo-journey" in this entry of the TravelBlog took me to a new private school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. The school is headed by the former President of Taizhou Teachers College, Mr. Cao Chunlin He graciously invited Sue, Steph, and me to join him on his campus and we were happy and pleased to accept.

He had us picked up in a school van, and after a scenic drive through the country-side near Taizhou, we first found ourselves being wined and dined in a restaurant by Mr. Cao Chunlin and some staff.

Fully satisfied on delicious morsels of local food and some wine, we were off to his school to meet the wonderful children, who had been waiting for us patiently. On arrival, we received star-treatment by faculty and students of this beautiful school. It became an event I hope to repeat.

We know we will always be welcome on the campus by Mr. Cao Chunlin, the principal. The day was very special, and I am so happy to share the time with you in these photos.

*****I hope the 51 photos of this TravelBlog will give you some additional insight into life on campus in a "private" middle-school in Jiangsu, China. I might remind you, that Jiangsu is one of China's early success stories. The province is one of the most industrialized, fastest growing, and most prosperous in the PRC.

Enlarging the photos, will offer you greater details. I hope you enjoy them and I wish you a happy "Mid-Autumn-Festival" from Taizhou, China. I'll tell you more about this important day, and the feasting on the famous "Moon-cakes" at a later entry.

This week everyone is preparing for the National Holiday Vacation, which will begin on October 1st. It is also called the Golden Week, and tickets for traveling on planes, trains, busses, and ferries will be at a premium, and hotel-charges will often double.
Happy 57th Birthday, China.******

Of course your comments and thoughts are always appreciated, thank you.

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