There's a new lăoshī in town.

My first class. Yes, there really are that many students in each class. Average size is mid-50's.

Kirk and I hanging out with some of our new friends at Mr. Mai's.


I finally started teaching last week! I was getting restless doing nothing while half our group had already started, so I was happy to finally get my classes going.

I've only taught half of them, but I can tell it's going to be fun and challenging. The students were VERY excited to see a foreigner. It was hilarious seeing kids walk into the room and then do a double-take when they saw me at the podium.

A little background on the school system in China. There are usually between 50-60 kids in each class. The kids stay in the same classroom throughout the day, and teachers come to them. The school day starts around 7:30am, and it runs to about 10:00pm at night with a few breaks for lunch and dinner. Good students in the front. Bad ones in the back. For most classes, the teacher (lăoshī) will often talk about the lesson the whole time and the students are expected to keep up. Tests for the next schooling level (middle school to high school, high school to college) are the focus for both teachers and students.

As you can tell, there are some vast differences with the American school system, so it will be tough trying to adjust to this as well as trying to get students to come out of their shell and talk for my conversational English class.

I have 13 classes, each once a week. I have been introducing myself for the first lesson. It takes awhile because I have to talk very slowly. Plus, the students are interested so they want to hear as much as possible about me. I showed pictures of my family, a map of places I've lived in the states, and pictures of me playing sports at their age. Basketball is huge here, so I showed them a local newspaper that I was in from one of my games in high school. I got a round of applause for that. Pretty funny! I was also able to mention my faith, so that was very cool. I'll be able to talk more about this around American holidays like Christmas and Easter.

At the end of the class, I have students fill out informational cards about themselves. I have them give me their English name that they picked out themselves as well as any questions they may have about me or America. Below are my favorite answers word for word. Enjoy.

English Name:
- Water Lily
- Silence
- Petter Pan
- Nike
- Tupac
- James Bond (zero zero seven)
- Harry Potter
- Alf
- Done
- Keith (But I'm a girl!)

Question about me or America:
- As a Christian, do you think that a religion can make a nation be more united? (This one isn't funny, just good.)
- Do you have a girlfriend? (It's a secret that I'll keep for you.)
- I think you are handsome. Do you want to have a Chinese wife?
- When I talk to foreigner I always feel nervous.
- Why do you like basketball? I really can't understand it because I hate basketball very much!
- Since you've been on newspapers, why don't you stay at home and wait for a draft of NBA?
- Why do you have the same name as me? (His name is Ryan)
- Can you bring me to America?
- Is 2pac still alive?
- You are perfect!!!
- I'm afraid of you.

The last one is my favorite!