> THE NATURE OF THE BEAST (CHINA)

> Some readers may have heard the expression that attributes bad or
> good behaviour. Its the nature of the beast. What does that
> translate to being a ESL teacher in China?

> There are a number of perspectives that help us understand the
> complexity of human behaviour. There are the sciences of psychology,
> sociology, philosophy, theology even mythology. All are attempts to
> reach the apex of human knowledge in all domains imaginable and
> predictable.

> The keyword to mention at this point is CULTURE and to elaborate on
> the contrast foreign teachers will experience when they arrive and
> attempt to adapt and recover from their culture shock of landing in
> China.

> The approach or perspective taken in this article is based on the
> research into cross-cultural psychology: a branch on mainstream
> psychology that specifically examines culture and social behaviour.
> In other words its attempts to study the subjective aspects of
> behaviours, beliefs, attitudes, values and the perceptions and
> resulting behaviour of people who have been born into, or cultivated
> by a society that is significantly unique from any other. This from
> of socialisation is also referred to the process called
> enculturation. This article will focus on China hereafter referred to
> as a Collectivistic Society (CS) and a number of Western societies
> (U.S.A, Canada, Australia, and England to name a few) are grouped
> together under Individualistic Society (IS). The comparative review
> of China and the groups of countries mentioned is chosen because in
> majority of advertisements for teaching vacancies in China it is
> these English native speaking nationalities that are preferred by
> Chinese educational institutions. This article will not address the
> objective aspects of Chinese culture such as food, clothing, tools
> and festivals etc.

> Key words and their definition (cited in Matsumoto (2000), Culture
> and Psychology: people around the world. pp. 41-42).

> Individualism-Collectivism (IC) refers to the extent to which a
> culture encourages, cultivates, and assists in meeting the needs and
> values of an autonomous and unique self over those of the group. Lets
> look at (IC) in a practical context.

> Individualism: In the United States of America and Australia the
> individual perceives themselves as having autonomy over their choices
> of lifestyle, career path, relationships and just about any behaviour
> that is within the constraints of the law enforcement of their
> country. The most important consideration is given to the fulfilment
> of the individuals desires and they themselves construct their
> unique self-identity. This behaviour is not to be synonymous with
> greed, self-centeredness or acting selfishly. No man is an island and
> even in an individualistic society there is the overpowering need to
> form meaningful relationships with others or form in-groups for
> support and security.

> Collectivism on the other hand has the individual perceiving
> themselves as forming part of a group family, workforce, community
> and nation. They have a group identify that overrides their
> self-identity. Unless they can assimilate and feel bonded to the
> group their needs are not met. To be alienated from the in-group be
> it their class at school, their nucleus or extended family or the
> wider community brings with it a feeling of shame and dishonour. If
> they lose intimacy with the group they have difficulty forming a
> strong identity or sense of belonging.

> No doubt the reader is starting to fill in the intellectual gaps
> themselves and they are coming to their own understanding of IC and
> how it relates to their experiences in China. Or, some readers may
> begin to have a hunch of what to expect when in China.

> A quick example of how to apply this knowledge to teaching: As a
> foreign teacher you should try and avoid singling out students in the
> class and to have them feel different from the rest of the group. A
> teacher can use this to an advantage for controlling the group by
> simply having the disorderly student stand up and leave the
> classroom. I have seen this happen and the child in question will act
> paralysed unable to move and if forced to leave they will fall to the
> floor.

> The frustrating aspects of this collectivism is that you will not see
> an individual competing or striving to do their best as this might,
> in the context of the classroom, have them risking being exiled from
> the in-group. However, it can also be a driving force and
> motivational stimulus to cause the student not to fail an exam or to
> avoid being the focus of the teachers disapproval.

> Since teaching in China is not only dealing with students but also
> with other teachers and officials at different organisational levels
> let us now look at how collectivism influences the human behaviour in
> this arena?

> It is here that the article introduces some new terms used in
> cross-cultural psychology: Power Distance (PD) or Status
> Differentiation (SD). Also, in-group and out-group which have already
> been mention but not defined in depth.

> Power Difference is the degree of inequality in power between a less
> powerful individual and a more powerful other. In the context of ESL
> teaching in China you represent the less powerful and the other
> being your employer.

> Chinese society is a culture that rates high in PD because of the
> following reasons:
> Parents put a high value on childrens obedience - parents being the
> more powerful and the child being the less powerful. This value of
> obedience is carried over to the teacher and the student
> relationship. Students put a high value on conformity and respect for
> authority is the social norm. In organisations, managers are seen as
> making decisions autocratically and paternalistically. Employees fear
> to disagree with their superior (Hofstede, 1980a cited in Matsumoto,
> 2000 p. 452 Table 17.1)

> Whereas in America and the other countries already mentioned, parents
> put less value of childrens obedience; students put a high value on
> independence, respect for authority is a matter of individual
> personality. Employees or subordinates have a preference of managers
> who are more consultative in decision making (Hofstede, 1980b).

> In regard to the in-group and out-group aspects of the two cultures:
> In the CS context of China people are very loyal and attracted to the
> in-group to which they belong. So if your co-workers are Chinese
> teachers and they have strong ties to the schools in-group then
> their loyalty is to the school and not to the new foreign teacher who
> is distinctly considered as belonging to a out-group. What that means
> is that there will be a transition period before the new foreign
> teacher is accepted as a member of the in-group. It is during this
> time that the newcomer will have to show his or her willingness to
> conform, take what adversity comes their way and to forsake their
> accustomed individualism. Even this does not secure in-group
> membership because the teaching position is not permanent in that the
> contact will terminate and the foreigner will more away. In China it
> is the survival of the in-group that takes precedence over the
> individual. So you are expected to behave in ways that safeguards the
> school against defamation or lost of public integrity. In laymens
> terms you tow the line.

> So the point made by this comparison of Chinese and American cultures
> is that the two entities are poles apart especially in those areas
> that impact on a foreign ESL teacher.

> So you can choose to ignore the signs and differences in cultures and
> turn up the volume on your hi-fi to blast out the theme song I did
> it my way or you could play a different tune Try a Little Kindness

> Oh, there is one other option, the one that is always taken too late
> dont go to China to work as an ESL teacher unless you are very
> flexible, you have a personality that is submissive to authority and
> be also introverted will go in your favour, and if you are content to
> have every decision made for you, and you are prepared to suffer in
> silence when the occasion arisesAND be qualified to do the job your
> employer demands then my all means enjoy your new employment in
> China (as a fly-byforeigner).

> PS Can anyone find the word 'specist' is this article if so can you
> point it out to me and quote it in context. Thank you.

hello Paul, by agreeing with you we are humans, by disagreeing we are beast. Sounds like a cult from hell the one you are promoting.