My thing, and my questions about getting the class in line, really relates to getting the ‘bad apples’ to just be less disruptive so that the students who want to learn can do so in relative peace.

What percentage of your students do you think were really motivated to learn English? somewhat motivated? and not motivated at all?

Were there any other strategies you could employ to seperate the two groups? I would hate to basically give up on a group of kids, but if it meant being able to effectively teach the ones who were really interested it would seem like a possible strategy. Maybe allowing the bad apples free reign in the back of the class if they didn’t disturb those who wanted to sit in the front? Then again, you’d probably just have an out of control circus in the back of the class. Or basically promising the bad apples an easy path to a passing grade as long as they agree to keep in line. Then again, from what I have read, everyone passes in Chinese schools. Its seems like teaching in China is a series of catch-22’s. Much like trying to reprimand kids verbally when their reaction is only to laugh at the laowai whose Chinese is comical to them and whose English they can always pretend not to understand as it suits them.

Wow, the more I read about it, the more I appreciate all you teachers who stuck it out over there. What a challenge. I may just have to be patient and try to find a gig teaching older students or night schools where adults go that actually want to learn. Teaching those kids sounds like a nightmare.

Did you receive any teacher training before being thrown to the wolves?

I like working with younger students, because they have no problem doing silly things like singing or dancing. As soon as you hit middle school, everyone is too self-conscious to play a game with you. But they’re better behaved and know more English, so you can actually have a somewhat normal class. If the training school wasn’t so cutthroat, it may have been the best experience, because adults are more eager to learn, and you start to establish some really good friendships.

One thing I regret about teaching is not spending enough time with the students after class. That’s why I still remember the ILP kids so well. We always played together after dinner. Time is limited, however, since the students run such a tight schedule at the school. And, particularly with the primary kids, when they see you outside, they all run over to you and start screaming and climbing all over you. Not exactly my idea of quality time.

The problem with using the “foreign devil” technique is that the kids don’t see foreigners as a threat but rather as an amusement. Even when I was being serious, they took my angry face as a joke and thought everything I did to discipline them was hilarious. I probably could have been more strict, but I felt like I was striking a fair balance near the end.

I am always excited when you talk about your teaching in China, for selfish reasons (I want to pick your brain and learn your lessons) so let me take this opportunity to ask you and any other teachers who visit here some questions.

What would be the one thing you wish you could have done differently?

Do you wish you would have been stricter or more tolerant?

Couldn’t you use your “foreign devil” mystique into scaring them into behaving?

Did you teach a variety of ages? If so, what were your experiences with each?

What is ILP?

Any other tips or advice is always appreciated. It sounds like its going to be tougher than I ever imagined.