Reflections

This week has been a powerful experience as I spent upwards to 10 hours each day at Huangshi No 7 High School.  Students begin their day at 8:00 a.m. and are at school until 7:00 p.m.  I was in a number of classes and had numerous discussion meetings with groups of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and college students who were studying to become teachers.  And along the way, I have gained many new friends from half-way around the world, a little knowledge of Chinese language and a desire to learn more.

Tonight, we met up with the full U.S. delegation in Shanghai for a debriefing meeting and of course, another meal of Chinese food. 

Huangshi No. 7 has 20 English language teachers…  But as is true with most of their paper & pencil examination based instruction, they are masters of reading and writing English, but very poor at applying the language.  This gives me great pause as I consider foreign language instruction in the United States, suggesting that without depth in oral instruction of language, learning a foreign language has very little use in application.  The Chinese can read and write English, but they have great difficulty communicating through dialog.

I also see the great potential for establishing email pen pals between students and teachers as a way of taking steps toward broadening our cultural awareness.  We could also set up distance learning opportunities using Skype between teachers and classrooms.  Being a part of this program has also opened my eyes to the potential for future exchange programs between teachers and students.  There is so much to learn, and being in China over the past weeks has shown me that our world is not as big as I had once perceived.  We have many, many differences in our culture (and do I have stories to tell…).  But the Chinese, like Americans, want very much for their children to get a good education and to improve their lives.  Chinese parents and students are desperate to improve their lives.  Behind the glitter and majesty of the tall buildings and the ancient wonders of in Xian, Beijing, Huangshi City, Hunan, and now Shanghai, the vast majority of Chinese citizens are poor beyond our imagination.  And education is their only hope…