C.Y.A.

In preparation for my 3rd grade class that will start early September, I went to a workshop with the other Yves (elementary) teachers which covered the curriculum we would be using. The lecture was quite educational and eye opening. It was not the typical, "You will teach phonics here, and vocabulary there..etc etc."  The speaker gave use real, good, useful insight on teaching English in Taiwan. The differences, the challenges, and what to watch out for.
He told us that English schools in Taiwan of course have their educational reasons for being here, but the commercial reasons play a huge role in them as well. The private English schools are also a business. A lot of what and why they do things is to "sell the school to potential clients" -- something the girls and I had already picked up on.

 What we really are is an EFL, English as a Foreign Language school, but that doesn't sell. ESL, English as a Second Language does. The parents don't want a foreign language, they want a second language. He spoke about the government decisions that effect the public schools, which lead to effect us as well. In Taiwan Public Schools, English is taken as an elective, but it is not allowed for students to receive less than an 80%. Therefore, to a parent, if a student can get an 80% in a free public school, they should of course get a 95% or higher at an expensive private school.

 One of the biggest challenges is that most parents do not speak English, but they put enormous pressure on their child, as well as the school to learn English. So how do they know their child is learning? You can't sit down and explain little Johnny's progress in the classroom. The ONLY way they feel/see progress in English language is being made is through filling out pages and pages of grammar and spelling books. Parents expect every page to be filled. We are forbidden to skip a single page. They also expect high grades, or there will be a call to the school.  Basically, parents don't know any other way their child is learning, other then filled books. Quantity vs quality in it's rarest form.



I have my own views on this practice, but as a former educator once told me before, CYA-cover your ass- and I will refrain my opinion. However, he ended with- "don't stress yourself and create extra work for yourself over things you cannot change. Enjoy the little accomplishments, as well as the students who are some of the best you'll ever have. There is much to enjoy everyday."




We were also warned of the bad reputation many foreign teachers have in Taiwan. Many are thought to be lazy, irresponsible, drug attics, and the men are viewed as aggressive. Part of it is that we don't fit into their conformity of black hair, brown eyes, do as everyone else. We are very unique, independent, with our blonde and brown hair, green, blue, and hazel eyes. But a large part is from the very few foreigners who have stained the image of all foreigners with drinking, smoking, showing up late, and even fornicating not behind closed doors.  Appearance is judged strongly here. It is important to always keep your cool, don't lose "face," and always be respectful when dealing with discipline. "Face" is considered having respect, pride. When you lose it, you are considered unapproachable or unaccepting to the Taiwanese and what they believe in. Also, you DO NOT tell a parent if you think their child has any sort of special need. Here special needs, as well as the elderly, are a responsibility of the families, not the government.


I have ended my time at the ShangAn campus. Summer camp has ended and I will spend the next 5 weeks of Summer with the Little Critters at Nan Men Campus.

The Unicorn class was a mixture of 2nd-4th grade students. They were all given English names when they joined for the Summer. I had an enormous range of ability levels. I had a handful of kids who completed everything so quickly. Then a couple others who would just sort of stare at me when I spoke to them. Towards the end, I was delighted to see them open up a bit and take some risks.
Sammy was my brightest student, she was very quite, but there was not a thing she missed. Her younger brother Beck was also in my class, he claimed to not know English very well, but he was getting it.
One of my boys was definitely in need of some glasses, always squinting so hard in the front row, coming up to the board to stare at the letters, holding his paper two inches from his face. He was extremely dependent on his older brother, who was also in my class. I did well in the four weeks I had with him to pull him apart just enough to were he did complete some tasks on his own. I hope it continues.
My two most spontaneous and restless students, were actually two of my favorites. One was very restless, always messing with things in his desk or backpack, getting out of his seat. But he was also the one student who spoke with me the most. At the field trip he would translate some Chinese for me, he would ask me questions about myself and told a joke here and there.  By the end, I would tease him just to hear him laugh. The other was a new student who started in week 3. He was very wild, I was told he had a "disease" where he would hit other students. Luckily that didn't happen, but he did find it funny to hiss at me like a mean cat and mess up another child's work when I wasn't looking. The last day he continually gave me hugs. 

I had one Korean girl, sweet, pretty little thing. She would always stand with me during our 15 minute outside break and teach me their version of scissors, paper, stone. Or play with Teacher Glory, our amazing Chinese teacher. Multiple students would shout out answers in excitement no matter how many times they were reminded. There were also others I had to continually draw there attention back to our lesson.

They were a great group of kids. We spent a lot of time covering phonics and grammar. Our vocabulary and spelling always pertained to martial arts and street dance, the Summer themes. We spent a few days talking about self-discipline and made goals for ourselves, how to be a good sport when you lose a game or when you win, and we also did some creative writing about different dance styles.
I more than enjoyed finally having my own classroom, being the leader of the room. It was empowering to put my students work up on bulletin boards in the hallway. To set the standards and call the shots about what my kids would write, read, create, do in the classroom. I look forward to the actual school year!

My 7th-8th grade mixed grad class has ended as well. Altogether I had 6 students. Very smart kids, but sadly full of doubt and fear of speaking the English language. More fear in them then any other grade I have seen. Maybe it's being at the adolescent age where everything is awkward and scary. I only had two girls and they stuck to each other like glue. The older one could get a little bit of an attitude, but it never went far. She was very artistic. Always drawing a picture for every assignment we did. I was surprised to see her step up a bit towards the end, not so hesitant as the other girl. The younger girl would reluctantly share her work, very quite and hard to understand, as well as in writing. The boys were all very respectful, young gentlemen. Two were very considerate, quiet, with amazing ideas and the other two were goofy, but also great writers. Most of them spoke very good English, they should have been proud. 

The ideas they had in their writing were stunning. I did provide some great prompts, but they had creativity that still shocks me. Their writing always led back to involve protecting the Earth or humanity. Hunter wanted to plant better trees with stronger roots so there would not be mudslides. Ian wanted to build a machine to fix the Ozone layer so UV rays would do no harm. Jenny wanted to bring rain to the dry places that can't grow enough food for people to live. Wilson wanted world peace. Kitty wanted the rich to share with the poor.

I really had an amazing Chinese teacher, Teacher Glory.  She is so helpful and thoughtful. All of the Chinese staff really just want the English teachers to be happy and have a good time. I am making it a point to include them into my life more!

I had almost made it out of ShangAn without shedding a tear. Until my Unicorn students ran out to say "Goodby teacher Kalee" and give me hugs. The tears and laughter just poured out of me.
--xx - K