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Mr. Kalgukshi
Mod Team
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.
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 Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:10 am Post subject: |
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| Please get back on topic. If you want to discuss politics, this is not the forum. Return to the topic or the thread ceases to be available. |
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vikuk
Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 1842
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: |
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In the best of on-topic styles: Why some Chinese would wish to learn English - with a view to pedagogy.
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| It is a dynamic and creative society where citizens are encouraged to think for themselves and to mistrust "the man. |
This was the core concept behind western pedagogical thinking in the seventies - Critical pedagogy.
Encouraging the student to not accept knowledge without questioning its validity.
This type of pedagogy took over from that which can be described as - indoctrination pedagogy. Where the student must accept the unquestioned authority of the teacher and his knowledge.
This is surely the rocky shore where China still has its educational fleet (or should I say junk) anchored.
Todays progressive western pedagogical movements have moved on to take into account social/global matters - a pedagogy that encourages the searching mind while promoting the self discovery of knowledge. It emphasises those major themes that may affect global harmony (ecological education) rather than just plugging away through standard academic subject matter.
I think a good reason to teach English would be to get these kind of points over to Chinese teachers - to try and show them how outdated the educational system is. I would also hope that some Chinese educationalists would like to learn English so they could discover more about modern educational methodology
On the other end of the scale I could imagine some Officials who wanted to protect the status quo - actually wanting their lackies to learn English so they could read up on this type of theory - just to calculate how modern western educational thinking has the potential to effect their old style world. I don't think they envisage critical, questioning students being good for the Chinese future.
In this kind of scenario one can understand why the the thinking qualified FT who is seeking change - doesn't seem to be that welcome in China!!! |
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beck's
Joined: 06 Apr 2003
Posts: 426
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:14 am Post subject: |
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Thank you Vikuk for getting the thread back on topic. I agree with you for the most part. Chinese students are becoming more and more critical of their traditional methods of teaching/learning. They are increasingly fed up with classes that stress test driven trivia over critical thinking.
They are ripe for adopting the American models of educational thinkers like John Dewey and InTime et al. My post grad students tell me that they are tired of learning nothing. These kids are open to change. Bill Gates and the other American rebels who made the internet revolution will not be silenced. They are heros here. The old Party Hacks trying to stem freedom are like the proverbial Dutchman with his finger in the dam. American freedom, those ideals which are epitomized by the Statue of Liberty and the ideals of Henry David Thoreau and the other American Transcendentalists, is the engine which fuels the internet and the global community. InTime, for all his faults, is clearly in this tradition and I'm sure he would be the first to admit it. Those who try to stop the clock by holding back the hands will get their arms ripped off.
On another point, I disagree with you Vikuk. Foreign teachers are loved here. The students worship the ground that professional foreign teachers walk on. Here, I'm talking about the professionals, not the back-backer types. |
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Nemesis
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 122
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: |
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| vikuk wrote: |
Todays progressive western pedagogical movements have moved on to take into account social/global matters - a pedagogy that encourages the searching mind while promoting the self discovery of knowledge. It emphasises those major themes that may affect global harmony (ecological education) rather than just plugging away through standard academic subject matter.
I think a good reason to teach English would be to get these kind of points over to Chinese teachers - to try and show them how outdated the educational system is. I would also hope that some Chinese educationalists would like to learn English so they could discover more about modern educational methodology
On the other end of the scale I could imagine some Officials who wanted to protect the status quo - actually wanting their lackies to learn English so they could read up on this type of theory - just to calculate how modern western educational thinking has the potential to effect their old style world. I don't think they envisage critical, questioning students being good for the Chinese future.
In this kind of scenario one can understand why the thinking qualified FT who is seeking change - doesn't seem to be that welcome in China!!! |
Great post. |
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arioch36
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 3589
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| Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| These kids are open to change |
Totally agree and totally disagree. Here I think the foreign teachers have had an impact. One of the things the Chinese teachers admire/envy the most is the way some/many laowai run their classes. The vast majority want a classroom where all phonese are turned off and students are expected to learn , and the final test is not 80% of the final grade, and different things are tried.
On the other hand, they are not willing to venture the slightest risk to upset their place in the pecking order, even for the possibility of change they feel is needed. This is the Chinese dilemma
Beck
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| educational thinkers like John Dewey and InTime |
InTime I am willing to consider. Having truly researched this field, I think the evidence is pretty conclusive that in reality, theory and practice, Dewey's ideas were a failure, except that he did lead a wave of humanists to power in modern American Academia elitlst society, a society formerly dominated by Jesuits and the such. So some do feel this was of great benefit. Sorry, getting off topic |
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englishgibson
Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 4345
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:51 am Post subject: |
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| Foreign teachers are loved here. The students worship the ground that professional foreign teachers walk on. Here, I'm talking about the professionals, not the back-backer types. |
i don't really know the stats, and who would here in china, but there're quite a few "worshippers" around with respect to that kinda love...parents of kids would be one and the ones that've failed in their chinese classes would be yet another lovely addition to this loving group...on the other hand, there's an increasing amount of students that do not put their trust in us and there're many chinese teachers that have a sort of "love-hate" relationship with us..have you ever heard them talkin' once you closed the door and left the office?
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| I think a good reason to teach English would be to get these kind of points over to Chinese teachers - to try and show them how outdated the educational system is. I would also hope that some Chinese educationalists would like to learn English so they could discover more about modern educational methodology |
i've never pulled a tooth out of a horse's mouth, but i've seen lots of TV and news reporters ... when i arrived on my first gig in a public school, i felt like a celebrity there...never had to assess a student, or assist in choosing their farce academic materials, and then i couldn't provide my opinion on their teachin' techniques...when i was asked to teach the teacher, it was a "misunderstanding"...they expected cultural exchange lessons...clearly, what i came for was the advertising...i wish i was told so, before i got on my plane to china
from my experience, their "modernization" is based on their observations of western cultures...then, they take what suits them and adjust it to their own needs
cheers and beers to all hard working FTs around china |
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