Getting to Know Our Students

Frank plays Red River Valley

 Although the physical size of the classroom was typical in comparison to those in Canada, the number of students in the Chinese middle school and high school classrooms was staggering. The head count on this day was 59.

In parallel classrooms using identical lessons plans, Frank and I introduced ourselves by drawing three large circles on the blackboard. One circle contained the word Family, the other Hobbies and the last circle Future. We each shared personal information with the students and afterward handed out what we referred to as our ‘Bubble Sheets’. Each student filled in his or her own information and the rest of the 45-minute class was used to share information with each other.

Our Bubble Sheet

That year, we learnt that the teacher is the figurehead and is respected by the students. Within a few weeks of spending time with our gracious students, we discovered the communist system alive and well structured in the classrooms. We were very grateful to learn about it from the students themselves and chose to feature it in predominantly in The Little Red Book Teaching ESL in China.

Classroom Hierarchy

Susan's class ~ learning about Manitoba

Yichang 2005

Hubei province courtesy of Travel China Guide

On September 21, 2005, Frank and I touched down at the airport in Yichang, Hubei province and were greeted by our English Foreign Teacher Leader. Her name was Mrs. Long and she was familiar with handling new foreign experts.

Once we arrived at Yichang No. 1 Middle School, she shuffled us into her office and introduced us to her interpreter. We were asked to sit and offered a glass of tea. After a brief orientation of the rules, which included not beating the students, we were given a few days to orient ourselves with our apartment and district.

We walked nearly eleven kilometres that day. Our first stop was only a few metres from our apartment. A pleasant man was mending leather goods and Frank handed him his belt, which needed some repair. Later that morning, we found ourselves at the canal. We stood and watched the sampan captains venture back and forth in the hopes of catching fish.

Frank sketched the vessels and many other unique observations. Four years into our teaching life we used his drawings to enhance each chapter of The Little Red Book Teaching ESL in China.

Exploring Our Neighbourhood

We boarded a ferry and floated over to the the dark river to the man-made peninsula. We explored the markets and brought home some fresh produce..

That evening we filled ourselves with noodles and boiled eggs purchased from one of the many street vendors across from the school. In our apartment, we unpacked our overstuffed suitcases and put our weary heads on sponge-filled pillows. We slept at ease.

Leaving the Apartment; Ferry Ride