Who's Teaching Who? (rc)

Responding to my shi shi, thanks, for the ride to school my taxi driver smiled and with a sheepish grin replied "See ya!" We both gave a chuckle in acknowledgement of our limited use of each others language. What a great way to start my first day of teaching "Oral English" in China. Tom and I headed to the north gate of campus bright and early, me to hale a taxi, Tom to get it on film. I felt like a school kid whose big day has finally arrived! A quick goodbye and the realization that 4 1/2 weeks after arriving in Hefei, the elusive first day had arrived.


Here I go!

Having made a trial run to my campus and building just two days ago, the worry of getting lost on the first day was behind me. I arrived with time enough to sit outside, review plans and garner a few stares from those making their way to morning classes. Heading inside and winding my way up to the third floor I was soon standing outside Room 307.


My building, whose name I can't begin to pronounce!


This is either a really lengthy description of my room or it has another purpose I'm unaware of (most likely that's the case !).

Forty-four students eagerly sitting in their desks began a round of applause that continued as I made my way across the front of the room to the podium on the far side. Thank goodness it's a narrow room! How does one react to a greeting like that? I smiled, uttered my second shi shi of the day which was met with a round of giggles, and introduced myself.

As you can surmise by the course title, Oral English, my purpose in being there is to have the kids ( too many years at the elementary level for me to use another word) speak as much as possible. Today it was about a 60/40 exchange, me being the 60. An audible gasp occurred minutes into my introduction when I said we had TWO kids. Telling of my own family with 2 brothers and 2 sisters brought another gasp. Mentioning Tom's 2 sisters and 3 brothers nearly put them over the top! This time the gasp was accompanied with wide eyes and comments to neighbors. Unable to relate to the concept of siblings but wanting to know more, they asked me in a shy manner if I could bring Dylan and Molly with me one day. Little do they know that both Dylan and Molly are my complete lesson plan for at least 2 of our future classes!


View from the front.

The room's electrical system is quite complex and serves a dual purpose. One, it furnishes us with light and cool air from the ceiling fans once you flip the two breaker switches mounted another foot or so higher on the wall. Second, it adds decoration to the very plain cement walls.


A bit tricky figuring out what switch does what.


Although a bit stark, the halls come alive at the change of class.

The formality in the students classroom behavior soon became clear. Any questions requiring a specific student response were met with them standing at their seat and waiting there until I motioned for them to sit down after the answer had been given. It became apparent once more when I hopped up to sit on the podium as we talked rather than stand behind it. Again, the gasp. I don't think they've ever seen that done before. Imagine their surprise when later in the class I actually stood on it!


Note the podium.

We discussed a variety of topics, among them places to visit in China, what we've been doing here, our jobs at home, typical school days both here and at home, music and food. We could go on for a week just on the food topic alone. They were enamored with the idea of eating cold hard boiled eggs with salt. Maybe a better way to say that is some of them were appalled at the thought. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to turn this class into a cultural as well as a language experience, I promised to come next week armed with 2 dozen hard boiled eggs and a salt shaker. In turn they promised to partake in the tasting party. It will definitely be an interesting day!

Wanting them to know I'm as interested in learning about China as they are about the States, I asked them to write one thing they thought I should know about China. Their language skills and kindness show themselves in some of the responses:

I suggest you to learn more Chinese words.
I think knowing Chinese culture will do good to you.
The culture in China is variety. You must be interesting about it.
To learn how to get on well with us.
Your Chinese is really a little poor. I hope you will not be unhappy.
I suggest you learn the history of China because it is very long and important.
I want to make friends with you. ( a little off topic but very nice).

Shock and a round of laughter filled the room as I started a game of Simon Says for the last few minutes of the day. Not sure what to think, they slowly joined in but only from the safety of their desks. A few brave souls did run a lap with me around the room when Simon said "run" leaving the more reserved kids watching in amazement. This was both fun and a quick way for me to assess their vocabulary. I learned for example that Simon can't say things like "STOMP your foot", "WIGGLE your fingers" or "SHAKE your hands" but can say things like "TOUCH your foot", "TOUCH your fingers" or "TOUCH your hands". With that simple adjustment made the game became a lot more enjoyable. We'll keep the rules simple for now, saving the advanced version for later in the semester.

Our 90 minute class stretched into 110 as they decided to forego the break and continue talking. That in turn went to 120 when they came flooding to the podium after class to take my picture and have me sign their textbook. Yes, autograph time had begun and I was surrounded by my own personal groupies! After being in China for 6 weeks now, or perhaps it's the wisdom that comes with being 46, I realize it's not me but the American they love. I'll offer these guys what I can and am happy to be the liason between our countries for this short time. I'm looking forward to a great semester with them and already wish we were able to meet more than once a week. Certainly no one can take the place of my 5th grade class I have waiting for me at home but these guys will easily tide me over!

My 35 minute stroll home took me through a China I'm coming to know and love. It's a culture that's opening my eyes to a world I know very little about. Interactions like the ones I've had today make it easy to tuck some of our daily frustrations away and absorb the beauty and kindness of the people. It was a pleasant way to wrap up an already enjoyable morning with my students.


The paths through the village on my walk home.




A bit of calm in the middle of the village.


Food experiences await you at every turn.


The market stands easily meet your daily needs, and then some.


Village street on my walk home.

Happy to have the ever elusive day finally appear and go so well I can now look forward to our next several classes with a focus that wasn't possible until today.