#108 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Christmas Season Greetings-2008 from TTC, and the arrival of the "Year of the OX")

Asia » China » Jiangsu » Taizhou » Taizhou University
December 24th 2008

Published: December 24th 2008

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS HAS ARRIVED AND THE NEW YEAR 2009 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. FEW EVENTS IN ONE'S LIFE , OTHER THAN A BIRTHDAY, REMIND HOW QUICKLY TIME AND THE YEARS PASS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THREE YEARS IN MY SECOND HOME, TAIZHOU TEACHERS COLLEGE IN TAIZHOU, CHINA, (THE YEAR OF THE PIG, THE YEAR OF THE RAT, AND SOON TO BE THE YEAR OF THE OX). AS ONE'S AGE ADVANCES IT IS TRUE, THAT TIME SEEMS ... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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Christmas Greetings from my students, Photo #45

soon it will be Christmas day.

Two heads are better than one!

Justin and William will try anything and are best friends. They are buddies and were also the models for the next two photos of Santa Claus. I am grateful for the help they have offered me during this holiday season, when I had to buy so many presents. They were my great and successful bargainers, and used all of their skill against the formitable Chinese merchants in Taizhou.

Santa Justin!

You better watch out! You better not cry. Better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town.

Santa William!

He's making a list, And checking it twice; Gonna find out, who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #1

Staff and visitors to a private school in Xinghua, a neighboring city and administrated by the city of Taizhou. We had been invited to participate in their English Festival, anticipating the Christmas Season.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #2

The young students first entered in a march of the Chinese flag, and stood at attention while singing the Chinese National Anthem.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #3

In lovely red costumes, the young ladies performed a traditional dance for us.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #4

They were so eager to show us their talent.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #5

The school administration and Mike and I are an appreciative audience. Mike sits next to me, and is a new English Teacher in Taizhou at the Veterinary College.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #6

The school is combination of a Primary School and Middle School. The grounds provide wonderful recreational facilities for the students.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #7

I visited some of the classrooms and found them colorfully decorated, with attentive young students in their uniforms.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #8

This smiling face had never seen a living Western-face. She poses in her school uniform and around her neck the "red-scarf". It lets everyone know, that she is a young "pioneer", which bears similarities to our concept of "girl scouts".

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #9

They were so happy, that I took the time to visit their classroom. I apologized to the teacher for interrupting the concentration of his class.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #10

They made me feel like a movie-star, asking me for my autograph and wanting to pose with me.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #11

Mike and I were then invited to the school's auditorium where we taught the students a few Christmas songs.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #12

Mike comes from Ireland and now lives in South Africa. With his beard, he reminded the children of Santa Claus.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #13

The youngsters arrived in three large groups, each for a 45 minute lesson.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #14

These two you men showed the others how it is done.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #15

I was amazed how quickly they learned the song and thanked them for their courage to face their classmates. For Chinese students, this is not an easy task.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #16

Then came the time to say good bye to each of these wonderful Children, as we wished them all a very happy Christmas.

A Christmas visit to a school in Xinghua, near Taizhou. Photo #17

The school and these beautiful children provided us with very special day. We visited the school on a Sunday, and it was a schoold day, just like any other.

29th December 2008

William Stone
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Wonderful photos&interesting activities
You had a wonderful experience at a school in Xinghua. I sure that the children all like you a lot! You are always popular!:-) You had a Christmas in China again,and I hope you were happy(Although Christmas had past)! Don't feel homesick when you are alone,you have many friends who can accompany you,such as Justin and me! Your class seems so interesting that I can't wait to experience! I hope I have the chance! Happy everyday and enjoy it! Best wishes for you! William

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#108 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Christmas Season Greetings-2008 from TTC, and the arrival of the "Year of the OX")

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