Chinese Culture Lesson

So, today we had some more orientation. Hats off to the staff for doing this, as I think it has made a lot of difference. I know an awful lot about what's going on in the uni and also about what to expect and how to deal with certain things that might come up.

The main topics of the orientation were Chinese culture and how it applies to Chinese students in the classroom. Two Postgraduate Chinese students were there to talk to us about these topics. So, the following has come from their mouths and not mine!

For those who don't know, Chinese students are worked to the bone at school from the age of six. They just study, study, study. There is huge competition to get into Universities here. So while they are studying, they seem to miss out on real life experiences that most Irish students get, like even having a girlfriend or boyfriend or experiencing the larger world. Compared to Western students of the same age, Chinese students are more naive and less street wise. Maybe a lot of first years never left their home towns before, never mind gad to fend for themselves. And these kids are maybe 20 years old. Maybe some Irish students are a bit like that when they get to uni if they come from small towns or remote places but it wouldn't be as pronounced as here.

So, the Chinese education system consists of lots of exams so the students study things by heart and regurgitate the material. Rarely is there time for independent thought.

Chinese culture is strongly influenced by Confucianism, which states the importance of the group over the individual. So, group harmony is more important than individual gain. So, Chinese people never want to offend or to cause trouble, as it would sometimes affect the group. Sometimes this means that they will never say "no" as they don't want to hurt your feelings. Asps, you have to read between the lines a lot!!

People are taught to be modest and not to flaunt their talents. So, we were told that this, along with lack of confidence in their English and the fact that they may never have spoken with a foreign teacher before all contribute to the blank faces and non-answering in class, especially for first year students. Seems like it will be a tough job getting them going! We were also told that the students just won't get what you are saying, even after a few weeks. I think patience and perseverance is key!

We were also told that since the students had worked so hard to get into University, that sometimes they see the time there as a relaxation period. And the oral English class is seen as the most relaxing. So, I think Oral English teachers need to act professionally and earn more respect amongst the teachers and other students.


After all that interesting stuff we headed for lunch with those students and some of the teachers. Had very interesting conversations about different cultures and inter-cultural environments etc.

From listening to different students and teachers, it seems there are a variety of styles. Some of the students and younger teachers would tell me that I should be the students' friend and to have a relaxing class. The older teachers stress the line between teacher and student. I think that there should be respect for a teacher among the students, so therefore you can't be all pally with them. You have to retain a certain distance otherwise they will walk all over you. Some teachers are very strict and may throw students out for using mobile phones or talking whereas other teachers say it doesn't bother them unless it disrupts the class. Chinese students have told me that they respect the strict teachers. So, I think I will need to have some basic rules to keep some respect in the classroom.

I have to say that the TV cable for the laptop was a great investment. Now, I can play Super Mario on the TV and watch movies and TV shows etc! And I can have it as a juke box and make the TV display nice colours in time with the mysticism. What will they think of next...

That evening, I had a few beers with an Aussie teacher. It was good craic and he was giving me his point of view on teaching and as well as telling me some stories of when he taught English in Turkey! Ah, the Aussies and the Paddies have a lot in common. Well, the guy's name was Brennan!