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[American Friend of China]

As the private ESL industry in Dalian is still pretty much shut down by SARS at the moment, posting a topic on this forum is a good way to pass off the boredom.

So, with the Iraq War behind us now, its a good time to reflect upon the tense international situation of the past few months. Of course, we cannot discuss politics or religion in the classroom. However, when the war started, many American teachers at my school were bombarded with political questions from their students, especially at English Corners and in adult & teenage classes. One teacher even said that he felt like he was Ari Fleishcher, the White House spokesman. Regardless of where one stands in the ideological spectrum, extreme tact is often necessary when handling these questions. Some of us American teachers tried our best to emphasize that we are just private citizens with no role in U.S. foreign policy, and that not all Americans think alike when it comes to international politics. Some of us are quite liberal on this subject, and in fact, some of us even hate Bush.

Some Chinese students can understand that there is a diversity of opinions within the American public, but then again, some of them don't really understand. However, compared to the 1999 Kosovo War, the Chinese public's response has been very mild, and there were very few cases, if any, of expats being blamed for Washington's actions.

So, when faced with political questions from your students, how do you handle it?

[Hamish]

I explain that, as a guest, I will not discuss the Chinese government�s policies because I truly believe that to do so would be impolite.

However, I freely and completely discuss any other question that arises. There are no restrictions on an American speaking his mind in the classrooms here. During the Iraq buildup and military activities, one shrinks from calling it a war, given the one-sided nature of the contest, I was often asked about GWB. I answered frankly that I though I would be a better President, and that I believed the US�s activities in the Middle East were based on greed for power and oil.

Regards,

[struelle]

[Gray000]

I tell 'em if I discuss it I will get a free plane ticket home and I'm not ready to leave yet. Keeps me in business and I find it more palatable than the polite guest tack.

[MyTurnNow]

I'm with Hamish on this one. I AM a guest here, albeit maybe a lifelong one, and it really isn't any of my *beep*ing business. The Chinese will be the first to affirm this and will appreciate your recognition of this, but they are often keenly curious about us or at least just enjoy watching us squirm.

Saying that speaking your mind will get you booted out of the country IS a political statement, my friend....

I do not touch recent or current Chinese politics in public, period. I include Taiwan, Tibet, etc. in this despite my strong opinions regarding them. I'm definitely not strongly critical- I'll badmouth their breakfasts and bathrooms but not their government or society. I will allow that I like some things about Deng Xiaoping's policies, and really admire Zhu Rongji. I might concede that Mao Zedong was a great revolutionary and military strategist, but was perhaps less than ideal as the leader of a country. These really are my opinions and they seem to resonate well with the homeys. They are as far as I will go. I will wee-wee all over Bush and his gang here all night long, but I tell them that if they really want to talk Chinese politics, I'll be glad to do so- when THEY are a guest in MY country. And it works.
I've done my homework and I've been here a while. I know how to stay on the road here. If you don't know this territory my advice is to keep yer yap shut.

I also don't talk about explicit sexuality (I tell them to ask their Mom) in a public or school-related arena, and I make it clear that I am not a missionary and will not try to nail my personal religious beliefs upon any of them. I would expect any teacher working for me to follow these guidelines at any school function.

Other than these, yeah, I'll talk about anything.

MT

[Gray000]

Precisely, that statement being truth.

[TEECHER]

GOOD DAY, I agree that we are indeed "guests" in another country. It may, however, be a useful part of the learning curve for your students to point out to them that while stating opinions in China {by us foreigners} is a sure ticket out of here, that this is a lot less likely to happen in a democratic government run country. This in itself is worthy of discussion in class. I am trying to prepare my students for university in Canada. These are basics differences in political beliefs that I feel they should be aware of. If it involves ideas on how the rest of the world feels about Taiwan.....oh well, there are a lot more ideas just like those where they are headed. Bye for now.

[MyTurnNow]

If I read this right, you are going into classrooms and in essence sa