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Didah

...Or should I say the jinpingiest things.

The following article appeared in the Washington Post about a nine-year-old boy who wrote a letter to Uncle Xi about the Chinese space program and his concerns about the president's weight and health. The letter was not sent. Instead, the boy's father posted it on a social media site and it went viral. The chicom government censors scrubbed the content. No word on how many years the father and son got for "criticizing" their dear leader. I saw the story on the Kindle version of the Washington Post which I am sure Bezos is getting ready to ask for money for receiving that rag.

Anyway, not to disappoint, there is a lesson plan. I have given my students a copy of the article and asked them if they have heard about this. None of them had read or heard about this -- what a surprise. I used this as a jumping off point to discuss the broader issues of censorship. Not surprisingly, some Chinese students actually see positive benefits from censorship. I do tread lightly because after all this is China. Kind of reminds me of a no-so-funny joke from the 1970s in which one of the differences between the U.S. and PRC pointed out that in American schools, students participate in show and tell while in Chinese schools the students have show N lie (play on words).

I will keep you posted if my door is kicked in and I join the father and son in a re-education program in some undisclosed remote location.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/12/18/not-as-skinny-as-obama-like-putin-is-ok-china-censors-schoolboys-suggestion-that-xi-lose-weight/

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=16495

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

http://yp.scmp.com/news/china/article/92974/9-year-old-asks-chinese-president-xi-jinping-lose-weight-letter-goes-viral

has a photo copy of the letter.

Didah · Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:10 am Post subject:

Asiannationmc,

You found some interesting information about the article. I read with interest the comments and the posts on the U Penn site. I also read the news article. When I first read the boy's letter, I had my doubts that it was totally written by a nine-year-old boy. I am teaching in an AP bridge program in China and many of my high school students can't write that well.

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

I still think it is a good lesson as to the validity of censorship. For example, was his letter censored due to the fact that it was "faked" or due to the fact that it proclaimed that Xi was a bit overweight. Also, it brings up the validity of press information as to the reasons behind wiping something off of social media. A better example is the ban on puns, due to a song written about Daddy Xi and his wife. Several posters noticed the humor in the Chinese characters for Da + Ma and proclaimed this to be the first DaMa administration, which alludes to the use of "da Chronic" The song was called ”Daddy Xi loves Mama Peng“ The characters “da is 大+“ma 媽

dongbei united · Joined: 28 Feb 2014 Posts: 47

Bud Powell · Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 1736

I used this as a jumping off point to discuss the broader issues of censorship.

Why? What's your agenda?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

Agree with Bud's question.

Unless the OP was hired and is paid to promote western values among his EFL students, this seems totally out of bounds.

In most cases, the job description is something along the lines of 'promote English language development' rather than 'stir up controversial ideas.'

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

I agree with the others.

We are here to teach English, not to teach about censorship.

I would not blame your students and their parents for being annoyed, or even angry, about your "lesson plan".

Didah · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:36 am Post subject:

Hi Bud,

Nice to hear from you. I haven't posted much lately.

Greetings All,

Wow, I never expected the reaction that I got from people to my initial post about the censorship article. I agree that we are here to teach English, however, unless I was teaching pure grammar or vocabulary in a vacuum, I don't see how culture, history or politics can be avoided. In fact their is a theory about how language and culture are intertwined. I teach in a bridge program that is affiliated with a Chinese high school that is affiliated with a Chinese university. There is a lot of oversight. Yet, I am able to teach the AP Language and Composition course as well as AP Literature using syllabi that are approved by the College Board. Approved texts include novels such as "Animal Farm" and "The Grapes of Wrath." We even read Orwell's "Politics and the English Language." I am able to teach "Animal Farm" with its anti totalitarian message instead of teaching it as a fable about talking barnyard animals. Since "The Gettysburg Address" is also in the curriculum, I supplement the text with a wonderful column by William Saffire (who also wrote about language in the Sunday New York Times Magazine) as well as "The Declaration of Independence" since it is referenced in Lincoln's speech. We even discuss the concept that the people are the source of the government.

As for my point, it is just another opportunity to my students to employ critical thinking skills and a jumping off place for a writing prompt.

On the whole, I have good relations with the students and parents. I am in no danger of getting fired here for having these types of discussions. I didn't come here to change the world or their political system. That is all up to them. My students are very well aware about the world around them. In fact, it was one of my students who recommended that I get a VPN when I mentioned that I was having problems with my internet.

Thank you for your responses.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

The OP seems to teach in a non-standard environment, and his/her lesson plan wouldn't be appropriate for many teachers, I think. So I agree with NS that the context should have been described initially.

I agree that we are here to teach English, however, unless I was teaching pure grammar or vocabulary in a vacuum, I don't see how culture, history or politics can be avoided. In fact their is a theory about how language and culture are intertwined.

Yes, I'm very familiar with Hofsteede and his wider legacy of culture/language studies. 'Their' is more than a theory.

However, it's entirely possible to teach the language without deliberately getting into controversial topics including culture, history, politics, law, and personal choices. A newbie following this thread might well get him/herself into trouble.

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

There is a risk of over thinking our task.
The students I've taught, by and large, see English as a bit of code to be learned to achieve success.
'Success' is Chinese success - money, position.
It's not 'Now I am a citizen of the world accessing the glories of Western Culture, through the medium of English'.

Didah · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 5:28 am Post subject:

While we are over thinking, I agree, many people learn English as a tool to get ahead. I don't know where the citizen of the world stuff comes from. That is not what I was talking about.

After all, it was just an article that in many ways I found humorous whether it was written by a nine-year-old boy or not. I guess that will teach me to share.

Happy Holidays

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

Take your point Didah.
But some Oral English teachers feel that they are there to teach a message and not just a skill.
One US teacher I taught alongside in 2004 insisted in showing Thelma and Louise to her classes. I presume as a bit of feminist outreach.
These kids were 19 and 20 and at least 3 years behind their Western counterparts.
Completely out of place IMHO.
Happy holiday season to all posters.