 | Teachers in Chinese classrooms are
generally expected to stand behind a podium and present rather formal lectures. Even though you may want to be very intentional in
introducing innovative teaching methods, it is best not to do so abruptly. Earn the trust of the school authorities, and the
respect of the students, and you will have many increased opportunities for sharing.
|
| Because of the strong emphasis placed
on learning the English language, your students may very well have a good to excellent
understanding of written English. They may have memorized many of the rules of grammar. However because they have little opportunity to
practice their speaking and listening skills with an English speaking person, addressing
their conversational skills will be your greatest challenge.
|
| Some larger schools may be equipped
with tape recorders in language lab facilities, televisions with video players, and
overhead projectors. Smaller schools will have less equipment. Be mentally prepared for
few pieces of equipment. Photocopying is sometimes quite expensive. It is best to check out your particular situation
prior to departing for China.
|
| Your school may have copies of the
“China Daily,” the English language daily newspaper published in Beijing. These
can be a resource for reading and listening practice.
|
Western
Style |
Eastern
Style |
1. The teacher is a facilitator of
learning, guiding the pupil in the discovery of knowledge. |
1. The teacher is the authority and
is the central person in the classroom. |
2. The pupil is the focal person in
the classroom and is the most important. |
2. The pupil is the least
important. |
3. The group is less important than
the individual. |
3. The group is more important than
the individual. |
4. Students are encouraged to ask
questions and usually do so. |
4. Pupils are not encouraged to ask
questions and are hesitant to do so. |
5. Students express themselves and
are encouraged to think independently. |
5. Students learn the approved
answer and are not encouraged to think creatively or independently. |
6. Group discussion is an important
way that pupils learn new information. |
6. Students repeat to the teacher
what the teacher wants to hear. |
7. Students assimilate information
and learn how to apply it in different situations. |
7. Pupils restate the new
information in the setting in which it is presented. |
8. Making mistakes is not taken as
failure, but as a way of learning. |
8. Students avoid mistakes because
it is related to losing face. |
9. Excuses tend to be realistic. |
9. Excuses are given to save face. |
10. Students may be polite to the
teacher. |
10. Students are always polite to
the teacher. |
11. Students generally respect
fellow classmates. |
11. Students may put down fellow
classmates. |
12. Teachers use the lecture as
one, and quite often the least important, of many teaching methods. |
12. Teachers use the lecture as the
only teaching method. |
13. Memorization is one of the
least important teaching methods. |
13. Memorization is the principle
teaching method. |
14. Teachers do not always require
tests. |
14. Teachers always require tests. |
15. Teachers are free to begin with
any concept and in any sequence in the book. |
15. Teachers always follow the
system and sequence in the book. |
16. Teachers often use additional
outside resources to enhance learning. |
16. Teachers limit themselves to
the information found in the textbook. |
17. Teachers respect copyright laws
and teaches the pupils to do the same. |
17. Teachers and pupils ignore
copyright laws. |
18. Teachers encourage students to
attend class. |
18. Students always attend class. |
19. Teachers guide students to
develop discipline. |
19. Students are disciplined. |
20. Students take tests in stride. |
20. Students are test-oriented. |
