Sunday, September 13, 2009
The reason I was hired to come to China was to teach oral English to University level students. Therefore, I prepared my tentative course syllabus with that in mind. It did not take me long to realize that even though they might be English majors, they are not that great with oral comprehension. The students are excellent with reading or writing- but not with thinking on their feet, which is needed when having a conversation. I thought as a way to get to know them we could play "would you rather" (you give someone two options and they have to pick one of them). It seemed like a good way to break the tension...
Me: Would you rather have a third eye or webbed feet?
Class: Huh?! ::quizzical look, scrunched up faces, disgusted shock::
Me: You have to stand up for one of them. Who would rather have a third eye?
Class: Huh?! ::no one stands, look to their neighbor::
Me: You HAVE to stand up for one of these two! You would all prefer to have webbed feet? Stand up if you would rather have webbed feet.
Class: Huh?! ::still no one stands, mouths open in shock::
Me: Oh never mind...let us try something else
Hypothetical questions... just don't ask them in this country!
From there I moved on to playing "2 truths and 1 lie" which they seemed to understand- THANK GOD! I gave them an example:
1) I have my pilot's license (lie)
2) I did a zipline on top of the tallest mountain in Europe (truth)
3) I was awarded the Presidential and Congressional Award for Volunteer Service to America (truth)
Then I asked them to guess which was the lie and a majority of them did not get it right, BUT at least they were guessing. I then asked them to write down 3 statements and as a class we would go around and guess. I told them to be creative and try to think of things their classmates would not guess-- "not to just say 'I am 20 years old' and in reality you are 19." Oh just an FYI: CHINESE PEOPLE HAVE NO IMAGINATION! I had so many "lies" that were "I do not like basketball"- they do, "I have a sister"- they have a brother, and "I am gay"- wtf?!
Thankfully, that little exercise took up the majority of class time or I would've been screwed. It is like pulling teeth to get them to talk and we are there for ORAL english.
Me: Would you rather have a third eye or webbed feet?
Class: Huh?! ::quizzical look, scrunched up faces, disgusted shock::
Me: You have to stand up for one of them. Who would rather have a third eye?
Class: Huh?! ::no one stands, look to their neighbor::
Me: You HAVE to stand up for one of these two! You would all prefer to have webbed feet? Stand up if you would rather have webbed feet.
Class: Huh?! ::still no one stands, mouths open in shock::
Me: Oh never mind...let us try something else
Hypothetical questions... just don't ask them in this country!
From there I moved on to playing "2 truths and 1 lie" which they seemed to understand- THANK GOD! I gave them an example:
1) I have my pilot's license (lie)
2) I did a zipline on top of the tallest mountain in Europe (truth)
3) I was awarded the Presidential and Congressional Award for Volunteer Service to America (truth)
Then I asked them to guess which was the lie and a majority of them did not get it right, BUT at least they were guessing. I then asked them to write down 3 statements and as a class we would go around and guess. I told them to be creative and try to think of things their classmates would not guess-- "not to just say 'I am 20 years old' and in reality you are 19." Oh just an FYI: CHINESE PEOPLE HAVE NO IMAGINATION! I had so many "lies" that were "I do not like basketball"- they do, "I have a sister"- they have a brother, and "I am gay"- wtf?!
Thankfully, that little exercise took up the majority of class time or I would've been screwed. It is like pulling teeth to get them to talk and we are there for ORAL english.
Labels: China
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
September 14, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Aaaahahaha!! I'd totally have webbed feet!! That's so sad/hilarious. Good luck with manners and etiquette!!
September 14, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Ugh.. Too bad that comment is from abbie. Stupid computers try to correct my spelling.
September 14, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Wait til you try to get them to understand idioms. Minding their P's and Q's etc. or raining cats and dogs.
Uncle M
September 14, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I just taught them: "Think on your feet" hahaha that was fun :) I wanted them to realize that conversation is supposed to be quick, natural, and spontaneous-- I hope they got it HAH
September 15, 2009 at 8:00 AM
that was so funny! and at the same time- frustrating for you
I see a book in the future....
Love Tootles
September 20, 2009 at 4:34 AM
Hello, honey! What you are talking about reminds me of what a friend from Belgium said to me one day--"Oh, look, Connie; a traffic marmalade!" Get it?!? He also told me he was "around the hill." I love you! Nonnie
Post a Comment