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[7969]

we just concluded our english speech contest at this college, and on one hand i was quite happy. the 21 students who participated did quite well and as a judge, i was happy to listen to them and score them.

on the other hand, the rest of the students (and teachers) spectating, showed an utter lack of respect for these contestants. there was constant chatter, a few phones ringing, and not a single person (i refer to the chinese teachers here, as authority figures) in attendance bothered to quiet the place down. the disrespect shown by these people towards these hardworking students really disheartened me, you would not see this where i come from.... a couple fo the contestants were a bit rattled once they forgot a line or two of their speech, i could see that the disturbance in the crowd wasn't helping their concentration any.

is this situation the norm for china?

warmest regards.

[anthyp]

Yeah, I served as a judge for one of these competitions as well and was astounded by the lack of consideration shown by all for those speaking. The worst offenders seemed to be the other teachers (also serving as judges) - both by their constant chatter, and refusal to quiet the place down. I'd like to say I stepped up and demanded some respect from those in attendance, but I was afraid of losing face. No, seriously. I think none of the other teachers did anything for that same reason; it would have been embarassing for them, the students speaking, and those supposedly listening. Silly, I know, but isn't that how things work here in China?

[7969]

your comment is well taken. i also was on the verge of getting up and telling people to shut up, however, there were supposedly some visitors from a nearby university, and i didn't want to cause any problems in that regard. it took a lot for me to restrain myself, and i just let it go.

[Guest]

I was also surprised to notice that when a performance is going on, the audience does not shut up. It does seem to be the norm, but it is very hard to hear the singer/speaker etc. Mobile phones ring constantly and people talk and yell and laugh and nobody seems to take any notice so I can only presume that it is something else I need to come to terms with and get used to. It is a pity though when you have a little 6 year old up on stage trying to sing a song in English and he/she is being drowned out by the audience! My heart went out to the performers.

[Roger]

It's this nation's cultural deficiency par excellence - the inability to relate to others, to listen to what is being said. As pointed out in that other thread about children's performances...
Those intrusive cellphones that Hongkongers have been known to use even in cultural venues where they are strictly forbidden;
has a lot to do with how they learn things. If you only memorise and speak in chorus with your peers, you won't ever have to listen to someone giving a speech - someone else will "remember" what you didn't get.
We as teachers and ambassadors of English and world culture should perhaps work towards China embracing certain values that are essential to communication. A teacher in class should be listened too, as should a single student reciting a poem or a passage.
This is not just inculcating western habits and culture; this is changing learning habits for the better.

[Ace]

1) Do you think the Chinese teachers are there because they want to be there? Do you think they are paid to give up their free night?

2) Do you think the audience want to be there? I was a recent judge and found one of my pets was there too...his class had been ordered to attend.

After the previous year when I heard some snide and some politically insulting (we're talking Iraq I know, but it's my countrymen over there!)and some sexist speeches I only took part out of the utmost goodness of my heart...I mentioned previously that the dean of the English department went on about the students' obligation to dress well and shine their shoes etc, while she herself was wearing a tracksuit.

[arioch36]

Yeah, the norm. Onr of the judges next to me couldn't speak english well, but they had an empty speech, and he supposedly was part of the english department.

Well, ya know, I'm just an American. After a speech, I'll get up and tell them to be quiet. Usually gets applause. They know it's rude. I found the most effective way is to arrive a few minutes early, round up the "ushers" and tell them it is their job.

[La Paz]

Ambassador of English?
That is the funnniest statement on this entire forum.....

Who cares about that silly little contest. That is funny that nobody cares, I love that. Why be so damn serious about it anyway. Just another function.
Ambassadors of English.?
Roger I know you come from a developing nation but give it a rest, go home, or can't you? Be an Ambassador of Chinese in your native land.

[ChinaLady]

and cell phones. this is China.
I have a rule in my classroom - you want to talk? come up to the front and talk. cell phone - into the hall!
rules are handed out at the beginning of the semester. and we read them together. nothing more is said. on my grade/attendance sheets (which I leave on the podium during breaks) there are codes TC, CP, S, NC, H. each student has at least one of them.
TC = talking to classmate during class.
CP = using cell phone in class.
S = sleeping
NC = reading non-class material (football mag, fashion mag, etc.)
H = doing homeowrk for another class.
hummm, amazing how the attitude improves after a few students "sneak a peek" at my book.
as to the contests or "preformances" which are a weekly event? most of the non-participating students are told to be there. same with the Chinese teachers. at one contest the internation (I prefer international to foreign) judge stood up before the contest began and asked the audience to please "BE QUIET" during the contest. it worked for about the first four contestants. the worst offenders were the Chinese teachers sitting in the front. I think they think that because it is ONLY an English speaking contest that since they are speaking Chinese it is not rude.
Chinese women seem to have a thing about chattering. listen on a bus. yakky, yakky, yak, yak - they've solved the worlds problems in a 30 minute bus ride. the best? flying from San Francisco to Beijing? two women talked the whole flight. I am serious - 16 hours non-stop.
I asked my male students if the never stopping chatter of the women students bothers them, "Yes. But my mom is the same way." Guess it is in the genes? Is there a solution? "My dad drinks," was the answer.
That's it - next contest, drink before the contest.
Smile.