Traffic. What can I say about the traffic in China? The worst traffic you have ever been in doesn't come close to China. Where we see 4 lanes of traffic, the Chinese will see 6 or 7 lanes, maybe even 8! It takes a special person to drive in China: nerves of steel and a desire to be a NASCAR driver who believes in togetherness.
You see, traffic sign, lights, lane lines, directions are only suggestions. You can choose to 'obey' or even notice then or not. It is also required to stay within 12 inches of the nearest car, bus , truck or motorcycle. By the way, I mean 12 inches in all directions.
The motorcycle drivers amaze me. They will be weaving through crazy traffic with 4 people on the bike along with assorted packages.
Can you remember back to a time when pollution controls weren't standard equipment on cars, etc? That time is still now here. The blue-grey exhaust, with a slightly sweet burning petroleum smell, hard to forget if you grew up during those days.
Let's add into this mix pedestrians, bicyclists and push carts.
This is where I come in. The school that I teach in is in an older inner-city neighborhood. A little rough (I do avoid walking by the 911 Bar any time). The Head Master has mentioned that I should always be safe. I agree! Safety is very important when in a foreign country and you don't speak the language.
So, yesterday the school bought me a new bike to ride from my room to the school. Sweet! It's a blue Pantech with a bell (out of my way, walking people!) a basket (don't make fun, it's already came in handy bringing food/water to my room) and a book rack. Number of gears, speed you ask? Well, this horse will go as fast as my legs want to go!
Now we have to consider the traffic. The good news is that Xi'an has less traffic than Guangzhou. The bad news, the same guy taught everyone how to drive. (License? Auto tags? Again, merely suggestions)
I do my best to keep with the other riders and avoid the busses! All-in-all, it really makes a difference in the time spent walking back and forth from the room to the school!
You have to understand, teachers report at 8 am and work until 12 noon. We then break from noon to 2 (reporting back at 2) with class starting again at 2:30. The school day ends at 6. So, everyone leaves from noon 'til 2. Riding beats walking!
Again, can't see the blog so if you have a comment, jefhntr@yahoo.com.
see ya!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Week 2 Teaching
The real work has begun. I have an office (really a desk in a room with 9 other members of the English Department), complete with a chair and a view of the Big Goose Pagoda. I have also been given the use of a laptop while in the office. I feel a little awkward about it, I am the only one with a computer so I've offered it to any one in the department who wants to use it!
Being a native speaker has made me the resident English language 'expert'. Have I ever mentioned that I am a Natural Science major? None the less, I can usually answer the questions raised by the English Department (ED) staff; sometimes can't quote the rule but I explain as best I can.
My students are 7th grade level. I have 6 classes each with about 55 students. Most of the students are excited about a 'foreign' teacher and I am different from the norm. Not just in my dashing good looks, but also in presentation style. My experience in observing my peers here is that they stand on the stage (front of the room is raised about 18cm.) and present the lesson. Very traditional. My style is to be animated to keep the students attention, move about the room and use anything in the classroom as a teaching aide. So, there have been many wide eyes as we got used to each other.
The biggest challenge is the vocab level of the students. The book we are using was developed in Hong Kong and really is too advanced for the students. So, I develop the lesson plan, implement it and change it on the fly. Don't get me wrong, the key information doesn't change, but the words I choose and the amount of explanation will vary beyond what I had imagined.
This week I'm using both Powerpoint (PP) and the chalk board in order to keep the key points in view as I define, describe, draw or act out other words or terms.
I have had many observers in the classroom. Most of my ED peers, the Director (Mr. Zhang) and the vice-principal Mr. Liu. Tomorrow several senior level English teachers will observe me as well.
Long post, so this one must end! I am writing the blog 'blind' (can't access the blog myself) so if you have followup questions or suggestions send them to my e-mail jefhntr@yahoo.com.
See ya!
Being a native speaker has made me the resident English language 'expert'. Have I ever mentioned that I am a Natural Science major? None the less, I can usually answer the questions raised by the English Department (ED) staff; sometimes can't quote the rule but I explain as best I can.
My students are 7th grade level. I have 6 classes each with about 55 students. Most of the students are excited about a 'foreign' teacher and I am different from the norm. Not just in my dashing good looks, but also in presentation style. My experience in observing my peers here is that they stand on the stage (front of the room is raised about 18cm.) and present the lesson. Very traditional. My style is to be animated to keep the students attention, move about the room and use anything in the classroom as a teaching aide. So, there have been many wide eyes as we got used to each other.
The biggest challenge is the vocab level of the students. The book we are using was developed in Hong Kong and really is too advanced for the students. So, I develop the lesson plan, implement it and change it on the fly. Don't get me wrong, the key information doesn't change, but the words I choose and the amount of explanation will vary beyond what I had imagined.
This week I'm using both Powerpoint (PP) and the chalk board in order to keep the key points in view as I define, describe, draw or act out other words or terms.
I have had many observers in the classroom. Most of my ED peers, the Director (Mr. Zhang) and the vice-principal Mr. Liu. Tomorrow several senior level English teachers will observe me as well.
Long post, so this one must end! I am writing the blog 'blind' (can't access the blog myself) so if you have followup questions or suggestions send them to my e-mail jefhntr@yahoo.com.
See ya!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Connecting again!
Finally an internet connection I can call my own. It is really surprising to me how adrift one can feel without a way to send and receive messages. Gee, what did we do before e-mail!
The first week spent in Guangzhou, the old city of Canton, was a blur. Our schedule was packed with places to visit. There was no time to rest let alone miss everyone back home. As a matter of fact, I don't remember a time when I walked as much as we did. Oh yes, and eating.. If we weren't walking we were eating. And eating. Did I mention that we were eating?
Our hosts were very gracious and wanted to be sure that we experienced all of the good things China has to offer. The New Year's celebration was overcome by jet lag. After having dinner and making dumplings (and eating dumplings), the travel caught up with us and we had to return to our apartments and sleep. I remember a huge cannonade of fireworks around midnight, but it didn't keep me up.
We enjoyed traditional New Year's excursion to the mountain (Baiyun) to walk up to the top and back. Enjoyed the rock (reflexology) path you had to take your shoes off to walk on.
Oh yes, let's not forget the weather. Imagine if you will palm trees, orange groves, flowers in bloom. Beautiful, right? Well this is the typical site, but the weather was cold! Layers of clothes and a coat, sometimes a knit hat to stay warm. Very strange combination!
Many of the cultural sites were entertainment oriented, vendors right and left. When you came across an artifact, it was worth seeing. One park was of miniatures of many sites in China. Kind of strange until you think about the fact that China is a huge country and travel is very expensive for most citizens. This approach is the only way for many citizens to be able to see or experience any of the historical sites. Still felt like Godzilla , though..
Now in Xi'an. Some difficulty with the housing situation. Mostly resolved now. The weather is like a typical Ohio winter, perhaps less than you are having this year!! I still must live in my coat. The room I have is heated, but any public building, store bank is not heated. The school is not heated, classrooms are often open to the air. I still remove the coat to teach, after, I move around alot! The dining hall and restrooms aren't heated either! BBRRR!
The day I arrived at the ShaanXi Normal University Attached Middle School, was my first day to teach. Jump on in!
The first week spent in Guangzhou, the old city of Canton, was a blur. Our schedule was packed with places to visit. There was no time to rest let alone miss everyone back home. As a matter of fact, I don't remember a time when I walked as much as we did. Oh yes, and eating.. If we weren't walking we were eating. And eating. Did I mention that we were eating?
Our hosts were very gracious and wanted to be sure that we experienced all of the good things China has to offer. The New Year's celebration was overcome by jet lag. After having dinner and making dumplings (and eating dumplings), the travel caught up with us and we had to return to our apartments and sleep. I remember a huge cannonade of fireworks around midnight, but it didn't keep me up.
We enjoyed traditional New Year's excursion to the mountain (Baiyun) to walk up to the top and back. Enjoyed the rock (reflexology) path you had to take your shoes off to walk on.
Oh yes, let's not forget the weather. Imagine if you will palm trees, orange groves, flowers in bloom. Beautiful, right? Well this is the typical site, but the weather was cold! Layers of clothes and a coat, sometimes a knit hat to stay warm. Very strange combination!
Many of the cultural sites were entertainment oriented, vendors right and left. When you came across an artifact, it was worth seeing. One park was of miniatures of many sites in China. Kind of strange until you think about the fact that China is a huge country and travel is very expensive for most citizens. This approach is the only way for many citizens to be able to see or experience any of the historical sites. Still felt like Godzilla , though..
Now in Xi'an. Some difficulty with the housing situation. Mostly resolved now. The weather is like a typical Ohio winter, perhaps less than you are having this year!! I still must live in my coat. The room I have is heated, but any public building, store bank is not heated. The school is not heated, classrooms are often open to the air. I still remove the coat to teach, after, I move around alot! The dining hall and restrooms aren't heated either! BBRRR!
The day I arrived at the ShaanXi Normal University Attached Middle School, was my first day to teach. Jump on in!
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