Today I had my first Western Culture class. It has 60 students, about 45 of which are girls. Many of them have chosen fairly standard English names; Joe, Norman, Jack, Sally, Amanda, Penny, Jessica. Others names are less common, such as Ivy, Selma, Cherry, or Winter. Then there are the far out names; Shuttle, Easy, Twinkle, Fighter, Greeting, New River, Coca, Stone, Danger, Volcano Ice, and Jane. I was a little dumbfounded by these names until I discovered that many of them are direct translations of their Chinese names. Although.......Danger? Easy? I gave them an in-class writing assignment asking them what they would like to know about western culture. Here are some of their responses: "I want to know: 1: The most updated words and sentences using in America which we cannot study in our books and from our Chinese English teachers. 2. Some daily used slangs. 3. Something about American culture and Americans' habits." (So basically this guy wants me to teach them how to swear.) "I'd like to know something a
bout American Country music. I think it is relaxed and makes me comfortable." (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!) "First of all, I'm so glad to be your students. And I think we'll become good friends in the following days. In my opinion, I want to know something about the way that the foreign people communicate with each other. And How do they arrange their spare time when they have no work to do? What will they do? Then, I want to know about the interesting programs in the festival, for instance, Christmas Day?" "What does America economic contains? What do America women like? What kinds of clothes? Do they wish to be slim? What do America youths of nowadays worship? Money or Love or other things? Do they have beliefs, if any, wha
t's it?" (I personally worship and believe in food) "I want to learn something about American movies, because they are very famouse. Especially the Oscar. In China, a lot of directors want to get a cup from the Oscar." "1. The history about some famous historical universities. 2. What's people's daily life like in Western countries? 3. Do Americans like Bush? Like Iraq war? Like tradition? 4. What's the opinion of Americans' about Japan and China?" (I have been hearing a LOT about Japan, and hatred for the Japanese.)And one of my personal favorites: "Music. Rock. I know a lot British band. But I don't know too much about bands from U.S.A. Greenday is a so wonderful band. So would please introduce some good band as good as them? And I want to know t
he American Punk culture. (Do I write the "punk" correctly? I'm not sure.) And anything weird."(I'm totally going to teach a "weird" section this semester.) So those should give you all an idea of my students' level of English, as well as their interests. Looks like I've got a lot to cover! This class was actually better behaved than my first, even though it was twice as big. After class I ran into my new friend Tom, who decided to take me to the fruit and vegetable market. I'm glad he came, because I got a good price with him around. I've been getting pretty sick of all the heavy grease, so I was excited to get some fresh fruits and veggies. (Don't worry
Mom, I only got stuff that I can peel.) Tomorrow night is Lollapalooza, a huge party for all the foreigners in the city. JJ is the host, so he's allowed to come. Apparently only hard liquor is allowed, no beer. Should be fun and fantastic and a skull blasting headache the next day. Good thing I'm done teaching for the week. Adieu
Today I had my first Western Culture class. It has 60 students, about 45 of which are girls. Many of them have chosen fairly standard English names; Joe, Norman, Jack, Sally, Amanda, Penny, Jessica. Others names are less common, such as Ivy, Selma, Cherry, or Winter. Then there are the far out names; Shuttle, Easy, Twinkle, Fighter, Greeting, New River, Coca, Stone, Danger, Volcano Ice, and Jane. I was a little dumbfounded by these names until I discovered that many of them are direct translations of their Chinese names. Although.......Danger? Easy? I gave them an in-class writing assignment asking them what they would like to know about western culture. Here are some of their responses: "I want to know: 1: The most updated words and sentences using in America which we cannot study in our books and from our Chinese English teachers. 2. Some daily used slangs. 3. Something about American culture and Americans' habits." (So basically this guy wants me to teach them how to swear.) "I'd like to know something a
bout American Country music. I think it is relaxed and makes me comfortable." (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!) "First of all, I'm so glad to be your students. And I think we'll become good friends in the following days. In my opinion, I want to know something about the way that the foreign people communicate with each other. And How do they arrange their spare time when they have no work to do? What will they do? Then, I want to know about the interesting programs in the festival, for instance, Christmas Day?" "What does America economic contains? What do America women like? What kinds of clothes? Do they wish to be slim? What do America youths of nowadays worship? Money or Love or other things? Do they have beliefs, if any, wha
t's it?" (I personally worship and believe in food) "I want to learn something about American movies, because they are very famouse. Especially the Oscar. In China, a lot of directors want to get a cup from the Oscar." "1. The history about some famous historical universities. 2. What's people's daily life like in Western countries? 3. Do Americans like Bush? Like Iraq war? Like tradition? 4. What's the opinion of Americans' about Japan and China?" (I have been hearing a LOT about Japan, and hatred for the Japanese.)And one of my personal favorites: "Music. Rock. I know a lot British band. But I don't know too much about bands from U.S.A. Greenday is a so wonderful band. So would please introduce some good band as good as them? And I want to know t
he American Punk culture. (Do I write the "punk" correctly? I'm not sure.) And anything weird."(I'm totally going to teach a "weird" section this semester.) So those should give you all an idea of my students' level of English, as well as their interests. Looks like I've got a lot to cover! This class was actually better behaved than my first, even though it was twice as big. After class I ran into my new friend Tom, who decided to take me to the fruit and vegetable market. I'm glad he came, because I got a good price with him around. I've been getting pretty sick of all the heavy grease, so I was excited to get some fresh fruits and veggies. (Don't worry 
Mom, I only got stuff that I can peel.) Tomorrow night is Lollapalooza, a huge party for all the foreigners in the city. JJ is the host, so he's allowed to come. Apparently only hard liquor is allowed, no beer. Should be fun and fantastic and a skull blasting headache the next day. Good thing I'm done teaching for the week. Adieu
No comments:
Post a Comment