James Martin <travelingwilbury@talk21.com> -- 26 January 2005

A recent post on this board made me angry. It suggested that most white English teachers only go to China to sightsee and complain. I think this is something of a rash generalisation considering the vast number of foreign teachers now employed in China. I worked at Kouan Middle School, near Taizhou in Jiangsu Province in the first half of 2004. I went to China to teach, not to complain that everything was so different to my own country. I also went with the intention of working with a professional attitude and sharing my ideas with the English teachers at the school.

I was the only white teacher at the school. During my first few days I thought that everything was handled very efficiently. I was given my timetable and coursebook, a computer was set up in my apartment and they seemed very keen to process my work visa application as soon as possible. Things soon started to go wrong though. The school took five weeks to sort the visa out, having earlier told me it would take a maximum of ten days. Many of my questions were answered with the customary “maybe” or with an answer that I wanted to hear, usually a long way from the truth. I think there is a fine line between wanting to gain “face” and downright dishonesty. One I can accept as a cultural difference but I’m afraid lies are lies wherever you come from.

The students were absolutely delightful. Some were very shy but I can accept that as a cultural difference. Having also taught European students I can say that Chinese students have great self-discipline. I failed to recognise the necessity to keep them locked inside school all day and every day. How can this be good for them in the long-term? I was keen to speak to my students outside of class. It soon became obvious though that the school had banned my students from approaching me before and after class. I found this upsetting. It’s possible that the school had done it to respect my privacy, however I think it was more to do with them not wanting me to hear about certain things. This didn’t last forever though, and eventually my students were excellent sources of information about the school and the “real” China.

I did some sightseeing. I thought I must see the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors while I was in China. I may never get the chance to do so again. I did all my travelling in official holiday time. I can’t see how wanting to see some of the sights of China is a problem if it’s done in your own free time.

I left China for reasons that any foreign teacher would find unacceptable in a job they tried to do professionally. The lack of forward planning, lessons cancelled at half an hours notice, poor communication. One of the excuses given for these was that “The headmaster cannot speak good English”. True, but the entire English department can. I also had a telephone. It can’t be that difficult. They managed to communicate perfectly well when they wanted something from me. Their idea of respect for my privacy varied from week to week. I could go for days without seeing anyone outside of lesson time, but also there were a couple of occasions when a camera crew turned up at my door with no prior warning given.

I never understood the spitting. A few of my students told me it was a cultural thing, although interestingly all of my classes were happy to respect my “spitting ban” that I insisted on during my lessons. I doubt I would get away with it if I wandered around town and vomited on people’s motorbikes and explained my behaviour as part of my culture. Then there’s the pointing, staring, overcharging, shop assistants putting things I don’t want in my basket etc. I prefer to call that rudeness, regardless of where you’re from.

I met some wonderful people in China. Some showed extraordinary warmth and generosity. Unfortunately there were a few too many who spoiled things.

________________

Me Too
Old Spice -- 26 January 2005

Your experiences in China sound remarkably similar to the ones I had there, but I was not able to do the sightseeing you were able to do.

_________________

Sorry to hear that,
Chunping Alex Wu <chunpingwu2001@yahoo.com> -- 27 January 2005

Hi, Jim & Spice:
I'm very sorry for the rudeness you've met. I was born and brought up in China. 33 years ago, I emigrated to Canada. Since 1998, I went back and taught in the last 6 years. The same happened to me, too. I don't think what happened to you was a cultural problem. It's an educational problem. Due to the lack of oral practice, most of the staff in schools would shy away. I usually suggested them to practice with us, but in order not to show their deficiency, most of them would try to avoid if it's not necessary. Among all the schools I had been, only one university offered me chances to lecture where I would introduce the necessary manners and courtesies that one supposed to observe in the public. But not all schools could afford. I do wish that we teachers from abroad should try to introduce the kind of good behaviors to our staff and students. They are also a part of western culture that we are invited to pass.

Alex Wu