HI I have a friend in Shanghai! I told her about you and she suggested that you guys meet up if/when you visit there -- you could have a tour guide! Her LJ name is "lastimpression" :) Tell her I sent you!
Spilling the Beans! My sister-in-law works in a kindergarten in a small town in the county. The kindergarten she works for splashed out on some super toys for the kids. However, after a while the pile of toys became non-existent. A desperate measure was called for. All the kids were told to sit down in a big area and the best, most effective method for getting the truth out of children was employed: the police! The children were told that some of the toys have gone missing and if any child has taken them, the police were going to come to their house. There was a short silent pause, and then a lone voice said, “I’ve taken a toy home.” Followed by, “I’ve taken two home.” “I have a green one.” “Xiao Xin took one home too.” Before long just about all the toys were returned, but this story makes my wife and I laugh, mostly because our sister-in-law is the gentlest person you’d ever meet and the though of her being so serious and the kids spilling the beans so quickly is funny.
Your students sound absoutley adorable. I think the idea with the stuffed dolls in an amazing one. Have you had formal teacher training?
Oh wow thas a hard poll....I think Id vote Shanghai or Nepal.
Thanks for the pics.......Really gives 'us' a better idea of where you are.....I have been printing your blog for Betty and Carole to read because even though they say they are going to log on and check, neither one of them spends much time on the 'puter......Carole suspects though you are enjoying yourself you are immersed in challenges and may at time 'feel far from home'.......Keep smiling, and enjoy the adventure......
Holidays I would go for Nepal for the month, and Vietnam for the week. But try to time it so you're not there in rainy season.
The kingdom of Nepal is a fascinating place!
Good to see you're doing well, honey, and coping with the life there.
It sounds so great working with those kids. :)
Holiday - maybe you can ask people who've been there a year or more what they do for their holidays; you might find it's possible to take affordable trips to other parts of the country?
Btw, I had the same thing happen with the photo last week as mumsisdaughter for some reason!
I'm glad you're having such a good time! If you need anything for teaching purposes, my mother has a lot of stuff left over from her 28-year run. And if you have trouble finding a tea pot with a built-in diffuser, let me know and I'll get a diffuser for you as a "Yay, Shannon is teaching kids in Wuhan!" present.
Wow..... Sounds like you are totally engaged in a challenging and fun situation.....It is always a process to learn how peolple want things done......Cheers for enjoying the kids and trying to work it out with your fellow teachers!
It sounds like you're having a fantastic time!
I'm sure you'll find something like a tea diffuser around. You can just find out how the Chinese prepare their tea.
If you need visual aids for teaching english (colorful alphabet, phonics stuff, whatever) maybe I can find something here and send it with a care package?
Take care!
about tea pot and teaching Enjoyed your piece about teaching.
Talk to the Chinese teachers about what you need about tea. I know there are tea pots there that you can use. Just asking them, they are very eager to help. There is a kind of tea pot that keeps the tea leaves in a small container and you dip that container into your tea pot so you don't get loose tea leaves all over the place.
About teaching, Chinese students prefer a more structured teaching method, unlike in the US. You co-teacher knows this; that is why she insists you follow her schedule.
In my English learning experience, Chinese teachers are very good in grammar, but sometimes their English is too stilted, and sometimes it's strange how they use certain phrases. Sometimes it's straight translation from Chinese to English.
Wish you great success in your teaching adventure in China.
I am a Chinese living in Dallas, Texas
Welcome to the teaching profession. As I contemplate retirement in 2009 or 2010, you are starting out in the best job in the world. It will have its moments of disillusionment, but generally is the most satisfying profession there is.
The lining of a cow's stomach? It's called tripe in UK (a Northern dish), is usually poached in milk and served with onions. My Dad loves it. I have survived 55 years without trying it! I don't blame you for going with the shrimp.
PS Your photo link didn't work for me. It took me to a deleted Travelblog (also Wuhan but not yours). Strange.
I'm a twenty-four year old woman, teaching English at Wuchang Experimental Primary School, in Wuhan, China. I've been living in China for a little over a year so far, and I still love it. Here you can find my (very sporadically updated) adventures living and traveling around China.... full info
bridge!
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HI
I have a friend in Shanghai! I told her about you and she suggested that you guys meet up if/when you visit there -- you could have a tour guide! Her LJ name is "lastimpression" :) Tell her I sent you!