chinese students

[two_spoons]

despite empty promises to post, i am posting because i am angry (stupid reason, i know), but basically i feel like i shouldn't be upset, but in essence i am, so i am posting. sorry

Comments

[r0ng5]

tiffy,

i'm so happy for you and your position at the school. i'm sure as time passes, the students will learn your "style" and expectations. i think it's so terrific you're teaching a whole bunch of people a skill/language that will sure be beneficial to them =)

[two_spoons]

thanks for your encouragement. SO the other day, i was trying to give this one guy an English name, and i tried to give him "Larson" but he refused. i thought you might appreciate this story <3

[r0ng5]

hahah, he probably wasn't cool enough anyways. whatevs =)

[two_spoons]

my students are 20-28 years old. i'm in xuzhou, which is sort of between beijing and shanghai. too bad i can't hang out with your uncle!

[chuckieduckie]

Hey which university are you teaching at? I think my boss teaches at a law school in Xuzhou over the summer!

[two_spoons]

hi! i'm at the china university of mining and technology. i know of 2 other universities here (i'm sure there are more, though) - there's the xuzhou institute of technology and a normal university close to where i teach. do you know which school your uncle's at? (most of the schools here have "technology" in their name, which is misleading, but offer a lot of majors in the humanities and other sciences)

[anonymous]

I'm so glad that I can read all about your time in China. I will now check this often so that I can see how things are going for you. Miss you bunches!

[two_spoons]

thank you! to whoever you are!

[acadececho]

hm

[acadececho]

shit. i just realized that so far, my response is like..the longest and...probably cruelest. lol. i'm sorry if i don't make u feel any better.

X_X

i mean...i guess its a good thing the kid isn't dead?

thanks :D

[two_spoons]

au contraire! i feel better now, thank you :) i think i was mostly angry because i've been really frustrated with the whole "lost in translation" aspect (as in, i think i'm giving clear instructions, and i think students understand, but then they really don't) and this was like the epitome of it all. last night i was trying really hard to put it into perspective (it's only one student!!!) but for some reason i really couldn't, so i had to post an explosive entry. thank you for your empathy, and i thought your comment gave a good laugh (not that your shared anger is funny, but you know what i mean :)). i'll update on the status of this student next week, when i see her again :)

Re: thanks :D

[jeslayzee]

Hi Tiff!

I'm happy to hear that you're teaching, congrats!

I totally agree that you should stand firm to your policies regarding grading/hw. I understand somewhat of the situation you're in. You want them to succeed. You want to be the "nice" teacher and at times, you become fairlly aquainted with them. However, I learned from my class that the minute you deviate from your policy is the minute that they start to walk all over you. Stand firm and I'm sure you'll be fine. From your students' emails, it seems that you're doing a great job! Keep it up! =)

hello hello!

[linderly]

Tiffany! I enjoyed reading your post, even though it was an angry one. I just like knowing how you're doing! I'm sorry that a couple of your students are difficult ... I know, I had to work with students around the age you're teaching (mostly from China, HK or Taiwan, too) at USC. But I'm glad you're staying firm, even though it makes you feel uncomfortable!

I just started working at my accounting firm, but definitely feel free to shoot me an email if you ever want to rant. You should know that a lot of people support you and your work, including me!

Take care!