Job Discussion Forums

[mrwslee003]

In 2007, just before accepting a position teaching in China, we were told to avoid these topics in the classroom:
1) Saying anything critical of the leadership.
2) Saying anything related to the Cultural Revolution.
3) Saying anything about the exiled leader of Tibet.
I wonder if anything has changed since then?
Or, do you feel you can freely talk about anything, within limits?

[nickpellatt]

I dont think anything will ever change.

By the same token ... I wonder how many people learn Mandarin in the USA? Quite a few I think, maybe they learn in Universities or in private language centres?

I wonder if they have classes with Chinese native speakers?

If they do ... I wonder if those native speakers introduce and use topics such as 'America's Distrust of Islam', 'The Oil Wars of Iraq and Afghanistan', 'the Falsehoods of Western Democracy', and 'The Immorality of Capitalism' as vehicles of instruction?

I would guess probably none of them.

There isnt any need to introduce any of these types of topics. We are teaching language, not politics, sociology, philosophy. The vast majority of teachers in China have students who are unable to use articles correctly, and cant pronounce or differentiate between the 'th' sounds. I think people need to concentrate on those areas of target language before they worry about courting controversy.

Such discussions can be had in China if you have adult friends or adult students with whom you hold close relationships. On occasion, I found discussing such topics with Chinese people less fraught with angst that discussing foreign policy or christianity with other FTs

[xi.gua]

[chinesearmy]

[Sinobear]

How about this as a guideline: if you're teaching poltical discourse, go nuts. If you're teaching (oral) English, why bother?

[nickpellatt]

I replied to this thread this morning, and was daydreaming since then (I do that a lot ) and I was wondering if FTs go to Saudi and lecture/discuss the sexual inequality that exists there ... Do Brit teachers go to Spain and discuss Gibraltar ... Do teachers go to Korea and talk about eating dog?

I am teaching German students in the UK at the moment, and no one ever thinks about discussing Nazi Germany with them. I often wonder if its just a 'China thing'

[johntpartee]

[kukiv]

[nickpellatt]

I dont think a language teacher CAN go into lots of places and choose subjects freely. Try using the science of Stephen Hawkins in a Creationist school in Middle America and I reckon the PTA, (and maybe the NRA) would be after you pretty sharpish! And thats in the land of 'free speech'. There are probably instances all over the world where teachers have to be mindful of sensitive issues, and have to leave their own faith, belief systems and politics at the classroom door.

I think people just single out China a little as the only place (or perhaps the worst place) for this lack of 'freedom'. Ill be honest, I dont visit the Saudi forums, or the Korean ones...but I really doubt people are moaning there about not being able to teach touchy subject matter, hence my suggestion that its just a China thing.

I have shared this story before....but an American colleague of mine used material from the Passages series of books that was something relating to 'the typical American'. One of the facts contained within the material was something relating to the % of citizens who are Christians.

Anyway ... one of the students asked how a country so clearly Christian and followers of Jesus could so easily engage in war and death? The American teacher went crazy and sent the students from the class, so it does cut both ways.

[DixieCat]

[brsmith15]

I didn't see any mention of Taiwan as the 23rd province. I was asked once about the subject and I remembered Jesus' answer to the Pharisees about "rending unto Caesar."

So, I asked the class, "What kind of people live in Taiwan?"

"Chinese," they all answered.

"I believe you have your answer." That seemed to satisfy them.

[johntpartee]

[kukiv]

[mrwslee003]

I always have the notion that when I teach a class of students, I teach more
than just the subject matter: Before starting the class I ask what each student did during the weekend, allowing individual expression and practise speaking. I think that is just as important as the subject matter of the day. I also ask each student how he felt about last day's homework.

During this period they may ask me questions. While staying away from the forbidden topics, a students did ask me about ghost stories and I told one. Another said his weekend was full of pressures from the family
to do well in school. And I asked the class for a show of hands that that is the case for them. I think this kind of nonsubject related exchanges diminshes stress and builds a cooperative atmosphere in the class room. A rapport building exercise if you will.

Our ideas may be different, but we are not there to create controversy and I am not afraid if they ask me of my personal feelings on religion or whatever. After all many of the students want to go overseas, so my ideas of my country
and its culture are of legitimate interest to them.

[malu]

There are times when locally sensitive issues come up in class if you are teaching to an international syllabus. I teach biology in English and I have found different topics to be touchy in various places. Never had much trouble with my subject in China but evolution by natural selection, birth control and human reproductive anatomy have each required a certain amount of delicacy in other countries.