Began teaching English to Chinese students

so this is what we're here for . . . the teaching has begun.

Timetable

We are pretty lucky with our timetable in that we don't have too many lessons to plan or indeed teach.  There are 6 Grade 7 classes, 2 Grade 12 classes and 2 SAT classes totalling 9 hours teaching time and three separate lessons to plan.  We also have office hours (when we plan or write blog entries . . .) and an extra class of Korean students on Wednesday night which we teach at another school for some extra pocket money.

First Day

As we waited outside a classroom on our first day, some Grade 7 students would peer around the doorway, make eye contact with us and then run away giggling with excitement.  The Grade 12 classes just about kept their emotions in check, giving us a round of applause as we both entered and exited their classroom.  It all made us feel very special and important.

Students

Most of the students fit the stereotype.  They're well behaved, intelligent, hard-working and full of respect for the teacher.  Some students can be quite challenging but they are all good kids.  When we walk down the corridor we are always greeted with "good morning teacher", "hello teacher", "laoshi" (teacher) etc etc.  Sometimes these greetings are coupled with a bow and other times a one armed 'wave' which is dangerously close to looking like a Nazi salute.

One of our Grade 7 classes.

Discipline

We haven't needed to discipline any of the students yet, and I personally haven't seen any other teachers disciplining the students, but we have heard stories of teachers hitting students and I have been told by our mentor that "You shouldn't touch the girls, but you can hit the boys.  Sometimes you can even kick them!".  I think he was joking.

Students being shipped off for military training.  I think it's like going to a fun camp, but without the fun.

Teacher's Day

Every year on September 10th, the Chinese have a day to celebrate the teachers.  Students give the teachers presents and sometimes even perform skits/songs for them.  At the end of the day there is a big talent show where a lot of the teachers take their turn in performing acts.  We sat for about 2 hours watching these acts, not understanding a word, as the audience fell about laughing. 

Next up was a big feast and a karaoke competition.  Naturally we were asked if we would perform Auld Lang Syne as it is a very popular song in China.  The other teachers enjoyed our singing so much that they began to dance (see photo).

We ended up coming third in the competition and won some hand towels!  Banging.

Culture Shock:  During presentations, meetings and performances it is perfectly acceptable to speak to your friend, answer a phone call or just generally make noise.
Ice Cream Cost:  An ice lolly costs 30p, a Magnum 50p and a Haagen Dazs £7!?!?  Something's not right there.  Still want to get one though.
Dialogue Used:  Wo bu hui shuo Zhongwen.  Ni hui shuo Yingwen ma?  (I do not speak Chinese.  Do you speak English?)