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mmm... pancakes · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 92

Teacher's day is upon us, and I'm looking forward to it! Last year I was on holiday during teacher's day, so missed out on funny little gifts from the kiddies. I read jealously people posting about what they got.

I'm happy to say that my teacher's day has started early. I got a hurried phonecall from my teaching assistant as I was sitting at home - she said some kids were on their way to wish me happy teacher's day. They appeared a few minutes later - a dozen or so kids, aged 5-11.

One girl said "Yi, er, san" and they all bellowed "HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY!!!" and gave me two bunches of flowers (one for my flatmate, who wasn't home). They were all elbowing each other to get a look at my house (ulterior motive for coming?), so in the end I invited them in, and they inspected my photos and belongings before trooping out again. My teaching assistant, gathering the kids up to go, looked at the flowers and said "I'd rather [the boss] just gave us money..." and they all departed.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Did you get anything good?

latefordinner · Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Posts: 973

Wow, be glad that they were so thoughtful. Personally, I've not recieved as much consideration during the 3 years I've been here. The most I've been given is "There are no classes this afternoon. It's Teachers' Day." I suppose a half day off is better than nothing.
I think TD should be nearer the end of the year, when the teachers and class have had a chance to know each other (and the kiddies are more desperate for marks).

nolefan · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Posts: 1458 Location: on the run

we were invited to a huge dinner yesterday to celebrate and had to do it all over again today for lunch..... good old baijiu!!!! i'm gonna be burpin that sucker for 3 days Sad

adamski · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Shanghai

I am a new teacher, just started this week. I had no idea about Teachers Day but was very touched to get a couple of roses from my students. Later in the class they started calling me a girl, so maybe that's why flowers. I also got a happy teacher's day card to "Mr. Alen" (my name is Adam) with lots of kitty cat and princess Jasmine stickers, which I thought was pretty hilarious. They really are sweethearts. Hope everyone else had a good Teachers Day.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Sad, am still on (paid) holiday (classes haven't commenced yet due to organisational phlegm).
But I know how you felt! I got pink-coloured envelopes last year from boys telling me "how happy they were to be my studnets"...

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I guess I made out like a bandit. For the last two years, I think I got a couple of cards (from my high schoolers), and that was pretty much it. Maybe the first year there we went out for dinner, but I can't remember.

This year at my NEW school (hard work, let me tell you, but a MUCH nicer place to be):

1. A nice card - - in English!
2. 500 rmb worth of gift certificates to the "Matro Shopping Center" (not sure where that is - - anyone in Suzhou know?)
3. A box of Dove chocolates
4. A fancy set of chopsticks with little duck holders
6. 2 100rmb China mobile gift cards to put time on my mobile phone
7. And a dry little cake with sweet pineapple inside.

The principal had invited us to dinner tomorrow night ("us" being the FTs), but I can't make it as I'm busy - - but the offer was nice anyway).

mmm... pancakes · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 92

Cor, Kev! For 500RMB I'd find out where that place is darn quickly!

Them thar Dove chokkies are pretty ok-dokey, too.

Adam - you long-haired or something? Any vaguely reasonable explanation as to why they might've assumed you're a girl???

Almost directly outside my window they've started letting off fireworks. I can only assume this is because I'm so wonderful. Off to inspect more closely.

mmm... pancakes · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 92

singed my monobrow Evil or Very Mad

adamski · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Shanghai

Nah, short hair, they just like teasing teacher. They also like to punch me in the butt during breaks, so go figure

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I get butt punches too - - from the boys. Some boys think they are "Ultra-Man" - - boy, I used to watch those crappy shows when I was a kid. I guess they've held up well.

oprah · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 382

Sometimes I watch the kids when they are on their break between classes. I watch them from another building.. Boys are always touching each other.. which I always think this is different from the boys back home.

mmm... pancakes · Joined: 07 Sep 2005 Posts: 92

Well it depends what age "kids" you're talking about...

Things like holding hands is a trait we see in China everyday - between men, between women - and has been well covered on this board.

But perhaps it is a different form of 'touching' you're witnessing? Reminds me of one day when I was just walking along, and heard a loud "Pancakes!" so I turned to see a kid smiling at me, waving with one hand, and holding himself with the other as he took a piss.

Adam and Kev - the butt-punched - I assume you've tried sitting down or leaning against a wall?
I actually spend most of my breaks trying to stop the kids punching each other...

Anyway, anyone else get Teacher's Day gifts?

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Teachers day?! Geez louise, I wish I had that in my practicum. One more reason why teaching in China trumps the West, I suppose Wink

On that note, I just came back from a nice end of summer vacation, and we are back with my original colleagues to tackle the long practicum. 3 months of intense teaching, and it's the final phase in my program.

What came up repeatdly in our training is perhaps a fundamental difference between Chinese and Western Educational culture. In a nutshell, we are taught to *earn* the respect of our students, whereas in China that respect is assumed from the beginning.

Why else would they have Teachers day so early in the year?

If I walk into class and start acting like I'm the teacher and these kids should respect me, I go nowhere, at least in my own culture.

Despite all these so-called changes in postmodern and global society, the cultural differences remain deep and entrenched.

Steve

Babala · Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 1303 Location: Henan

My school got us roses and boxes of Dove chocolate.

Songbird · Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:39 am Post subject:

Stupid school I teach at.....as usual not caring 2 hoots about the lawai.....wouldn't have expected anything off them anyway! Cheapskates! They didn't give me a welcome banquet when I arrived 9 months ago, no Teacher's Day goodies and I doubt very much if I will be given a send off party in 11 weeks time Sad