 |
So much has happened since my last report! Nanjing has ceased to be the exotic locale it was when I first arrived and now has simply become home. Life here is oddly relaxed and comfortable in the hustle and bustle of big city life.
My daily routine consists of studying Chinese and trying to stay current in Spanish and Russian. I actually find myself experiencing a little anxiety if I haven't study for the day, which I must admit, is something I never experienced while actually in college. I have found a Chinese partner with whom I meet once a week. I am becoming more confident in my progress as a speaker and have started taking a more active role in using my skills in my day-to-day life. I have also started teaching at a primary school near Nanjing University, which is frustrating in its own way. I have no authority over the kids partly because I don't speak Chinese, but I feel any regular contact with westerners my students have now, will only help them feel more comfortable speaking English in the future.
There are a couple highlights I would like to talk about from last semester. The first one that comes too mind was the Christmas party we had with all 300 of our students. The enthusiasm they showed made it a truly spectacular and enjoyable event. The kids took their class skits very seriously and even though they really weren't Christmas related in the slightest it was clear to see how much effort and pride was devoted to their presentations. Christmas here is really just a codeword for "big super-sale" at every store in town. As soon as it is December 1st, every place in town is fully decked out in Christmas regalia. With that said, it didn't feel like I was missing anything by not being in the States, there was such a different vibe about Christmas, it didn't feel the same.
I spent my winter break traveling to Taiwan to visit Lingling Yang '07 and then Thailand and Cambodia with the Grinnell Corps Macau Fellows Becky Mwase '07 and Nissa Mattson '07. It was interesting to see how Southeast Asia compares with China in terms of modernization, as well as to see such fascinating historical places like the Killing Fields.
The spring has been like a breath of fresh air. It's a great feeling to get done with work and still have sunlight left in the day. I don't recommend this program to anybody who doesn't like the cold. It is a long and persistent winter, and as you may have seen on the news this year, it also snows. You teach in your coat, hat, scarf, gloves etc. and the kids do the same. It is the same with restaurants, which will even keep their doors open in the winter, as it is a sign of being open and inviting the customer inside. A great bonus is that the dorms at Nanjing University have central heating.
The hardest challenge I have in the classroom is apathy. Sometimes it's like pulling teeth trying to get the kids to talk. It's so frustrating trying to get the kids to realize that even though the grade in this class doesn't matter to their GPA (which is all they care about), their time with me is the best chance for them to really practice and learn English. Of course it is harder with the senior students whom are much too "cool for school" than with the junior students. One way I try to combat this is by making my classes relevant to what the students are learning in their normal classes, so they can see how my class is applicable to their learning.
I try to focus on the skills of language acquisition the kids lack in their formal schooling with special attention to listening and speaking. I teach them to use context clues to discover the meaning of the word, rather than ask me what it means. My students have no confidence when it comes to attempting to pronounce a word they don't know. I try to show them that this is simply not the case; they can pronounce the word, and hearing the sound usually makes them realize they know a similar word that will aide them in discovering the meaning.
Now that I have let out all this pent up frustration, let me assure you that there is more comfort in the classroom on both sides - the kids and mine. They are accustomed to my teaching style and they know my expectations. I have started to use of Chinese in the classroom because it makes them more comfortable with me. They see I am also a student. I am thrilled that they have started to set aside their inhibitions and ask me questions.
My English is steadily going down hill at an increasing rate. I am stumbling over my words in class a lot more this semester and forgetting the name of things in English. I remember I had to stop and think about the word "airport" once, much longer than it should have taken me. On the upside, I am becoming more cognizant of how language works and affects our thinking, and I think I am able to explain grammar points better to the kids than I was at the beginning.
I'd like to thank Grinnell and Professor Andrew Hsieh for this wonderful opportunity. This fellowship has allowed me to experience so many different things that I never dreamed about when I first applied to Grinnell. I can't think of more engaging way to spend my first post-graduate year. Thanks to Andrew and Todd for bringing the laptops, as well and Doug Cutchins and ITS for supplying them.
I have enjoyed my past year here so thoroughly that I have decided to stay for a second year. And if anybody knows where I can find a job I would greatly appreciate any leads.
|
|
