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Published: February 22nd 2006
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Sox-Yankees goes global!
Can't you just sense the tension between us? (You may have to save the picture to your computer and to zoom in on the hats) Hello everyone in blog-land,
Today's entry will deal with our first few days at school. But first...
I can't believe I forgot to include the greatest picture from my trip to Jingshan park. I was standing at the gate when I noticed this elderly Chinese man walking by. Then I saw it...he was wearing a beaten-up Yankees hat. I had to have a picture with him. So...I yelled out "I need a picture with that guy!" I ran over to him as he walked by me, pointed to his hat, and then to my camera. Long story short...I got my favourite picture of China to date...old Chinese man with Yankees hat, and me wearing my Red Sox hat. Yellen has taken the baseball rivalry global!
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So this week has included the start of school. Sure, I had been to school at the end of the previous week in order to deliver my speech to the faculty...but classes for students started for real this week.
It is important to note the following. The views expressed in this entry are merely opinions as to the differences in Chinese education with the American system. While I am
Morning Exercises!
The blue uniforms are the high school kids, and the green the middle school. not passing judgment on the Chinese education system, I think it is fair to point out differences. Therefore you are free to draw your own conclusions based on my descriptions. That being said, both systems are far from perfect. In fact, the casaul observer, not to mention an educator, easily find flaws in both ways. However, this is not the time for a treatise on how global education can be improved.
Let's just say that school was full of surprises. Not what one might expect. Of course at the same time, there was a lot that was exactly as one might have envisioned. Let's take a look:
As an American teacher, I was expecting Chinese education to be the precise opposite of the US. I had visions of the ultimate discipline, rows upon rows of students crammed in a classroom so precise that one would not even think of saying anything out of turn for fear of consequence. Well....this is only partially true. There are rows upon rows of kids in a class. Anywhere from 40-50. However, with that many people in such a small space it is impossible to maintain complete order. I mean think about
it...your mind starts to trail off a bit....are you really going to pay attention if you're in the back? I know I wouldn't, and couldn't blame anyone who does the same. Now granted, my view is slightly slanted in that I have only observed English classes to this point. Since the students are all preparing for a similar exam, the lessons by each teacher are basically the same. They are out of a workbook, and are accompanied by the same dry audiotape played by the teacher. There is one topic for the day...such as telling time in one class....and the students are asked to fill in questions about the dialogue tape. It was difficult to tell if the students were all that engaged or invested in the material. I think that much like at home there was a varying degree of effort. Some students were transfixed on the workbook, attentively listening both to the tape and the teacher. While others in the class showed varying degrees...everything from snoozing to text messaging. (Actually I haven't seen those, but have been told by others this week what they have seen. I have on the other hand noticed a chatter....much like at home).
Student Speech
Site of the second Brett Yellen public Chinese speech. It is also difficult to tell how much a bond there was between teacher and student in the classroom setting. Much off American education is the ability of the teacher to create these connections in some way with his/her class. With so many people in the class, it appears understandably difficult for the Chinese teacher to achieve this. In fact, in classes observed today, many of the teachers did not know the names of many of the students. Simply calling out "Boy" or "Girl" when wanting for a student to respond to a question.
That being said...I would be remiss if I did not express a tad nervousness on my part about how my teaching style is going to play here. One class I am teaching is history. I am nervous about this for a bunch of reasons. No...not the material! I think I can handle that. (no snickering please). However, my teaching using movement, conversation, the occasional song, game, or play...well....its just not done here. My constant movement of desks to suit what we are doing that day (hey kids, you know what I'm talking about) is going to be as culture shocking as you get for the Chinese students. Notice I have not even brought up nervousness about the language gap...
I think this class will be the true test of "Is China ready for Brett Yellen?" That being said it was clear today that students are eager for Americans to teach them. Is it the style difference, or a perceived easiness I don't know. However, when one of the Chinese teachers told her students that one of the American teachers observing class (myself or my colleague) there was a low whispering of excitement. We'll see if that excitement continues when I debut "Yellen basketball" to Beijing.
One thing that was exactly how you would picture school in China is the morning exercises. I had heard and seen pictures of this daily routine before coming, but its something else entirely to witness it first hand. Picture several hundred kids all wearing uniforms doing 20 minutes of calisthenics after homeroom. I have great video I can't wait to show at home, but check out the pictures.
One thing that is frustrating to this point, and we were warned of this before coming, is the last minute nature of the Chinese culture. No more clearly has this manifested itself than in the fact that I have no idea what classes I will be teaching. (except for that one history class). Constant questioning for some idea yields no results...despite the fact that we are supposed to start actually teaching next week. Well....I guess we have no choice but to deal with the hand being dealt. I totally expect them to tell me to be in a class 2 minutes after it has started with the directions..."Go teach!" Bring it on I say!
Now I have many other things to share about school, but those will have to wait for an entry at a later time. I have to go practice the Chinese my host father taught me tonight. He is a great teacher! (To answer a question by one reader about what a host father or brother is. I live with a family who is hosting me during my stay in China. We refer to family members as host father or mother or brother. They are not our actual family, but our "host" family) On that note...my host father sat with me at the dinner table after the meal and very patiently taught me more food words,and then we practiced sentences using the words. I can't wait for tomorrow's lesson!
Wan an (good night) (That was one word we learned)
-Brett
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Jordanna
non-member comment
Nope, not ready
Brett, I don't think China will ever really be ready for you...go get 'em anyway! I'm lovin' the blog...sounds like you're enjoying yourself!