Job Discussion Forums

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

How do you classify Taiwan to your students? One student said it is a city, a part of China. I wasn't quite sure of how to address him. With low level vocabulary, country was the only thing I could think of. They probably wouldn't understand "province" if I said it.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

This is one of the "three T's" they warn you about. Officially, there is one country called China. Taiwan is a province, from Beijing's and every Chinese from your school's point of view. It doesn't come up much, but I don't shy away from it as a discussion, if it is a student-led discussion. If a student asks a foreign teacher his or her opinion about it, that little dikens is probably trying to set you up. I just turn the question back to the class or the student that asked it. If cornered, I usually reply that it's for Chinese people to decide. Googl the "one-China policy" and you'll see the basic framework that is followed now by most of the world, including the US which regularly sells arms to Taiwan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-China_policy Or were you just kidding?

wiganer · Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 189

I have never had a problem talking about it. Of course they have their view which the whole class shares - just as it is when talking about Japan.

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 3:42 am Post subject:

A good place to take a vacation from the mainland if you speak decent Chinese.

wesharris · Joined: 26 Oct 2008 Posts: 177

There is only one honest answer here. The people of Taiwan are confused about their identities, and must be brought back into the fold. The best way to accomplish this, is simply to be slow and steady about it. HongKong the whole island. It'll only take another 20-30 years.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Taiwan is the last area of China that did not fall to the communist revolution.

It was modernized and thriving well before Mao died and Deng took over China's reigns.

"Let the facts take precidence over emotion on any issue, and there will never be a war."

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

tomhume89 · Joined: 15 Feb 2011 Posts: 103 Location: Changsha

sainthood · Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:45 am Post subject:

I ask them "Which is the best university in ALL of China?"

They will proudly proclaim either Beijing or Xinhua... blissfully ignorant that 6 universities rank higher in the World Rankings than either of those two.. as well as a couple in HK.

Thus, they obviously think that Taiwan is a separate country Twisted Evil

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

How does 'Taiwan' come up in any subject a foreign teacher of English could be called upon to teach?
Enlighten me.

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

Salvatore · Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 119

I'm not sure about it now because of the World Financial Center in Shanghai, but before it was built, the tallest building in China was the "Taipei 101".

Most people would say the Jin Mao Tower, also in Shanghai. I'd then say - "I thought Taiwan was part of China?"

It's funny, last weekend I was in HK and even the locals would say "In China xxxx. Here in HK xxx."

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

Salvatore · Joined: 22 May 2011 Posts: 119

Believe me, if you have never worked in a training center for adults, such as Wall St. or Web, the advanced students usually prefer to not follow the "lesson plan/topic" and just shoot the breeze.

They will bring the topic up and ask what you think about it.

They also like to chat about Japan, Jesus and other sensitive topics. Basically, they want to know the facilitator's opinions and try to refute them.

It's a Catch-22.

Personally, I say stick with Jesus. It isn't quite as controversial. Toss in Amithaba Buddha and you'll be fine.