Yesterday I had my first english class in the college. I had a class of 35 students to teach all by myself. Needless to say I was rather nervous. My class were very welcoming and spoke remarkable english. They all told me there name, often using there english name. For those who did not have an english name I helped them choose one.
As this was my first class I was unsure of where to begin so I just did an Introductions class about me and England and my life and got them to tell me the same details about themselves. They were equally as shy me and soon this eased. I then thought it would be a good idea to have a little game to help the students be more interactive. I wrote some english questions down, cut them up, and then placed them in the bowl and went round the class. I got the students to stand up read the question out to the class and then answered it. They found this type of interaction fun and from what I have observed this style of teaching doesn't happen very often.
Some of the questions were not very well thought through as I had asked them to sing me an english song, this then got turned on me and they asked me to do the same. They said they liked Justin Bieber so there I was singing 'Baby' in front of a class of 35 students, wouldn't get that in England I must say.
In China they us QQ as a form of social networking, as Facebook is blocked out here. Many of my students now have my QQ and message me and try to improve their English many ask me to show them my favourite designers and ask if we need any help.
After class Kate and I went to Tong Tongs english class at Talking Street, we didn't enjoy this as the first lesson as the subject was very serious and deep. It was about the middle class and marketing in China. We asked Peter (Tong Tong's husband) if he understood the class and they said he had about 80% we found this ironic because we only understood about 70%.
On returning home we had a very long earned rest.
Tuesday began with 4 periods of Pattern Cutting class. Here I was a teaching assistant to a tutor who spoke no english, Mr Wu. The class was very different from our english classes. In China the students are taught to create their pattern from scratch unlike using a basic block and adapting it. For me I found this tough as I couldn't even understand the books they were looking at for instruction. My role was to go round the class and ask if they needed any help.
Basically they had found a garment they liked and were wanting to make it into a pattern. The pictures they showed me when they were asking for help were minute and I told them I could not see. I tried to help the best I could and taught a student how to do a puff sleeve for her top. I think this class will be beneficial and I will learn things for myself. The students were very interested in looking at my work and were quite amazed.
After lunch I then had a class on luxury brands where I had to introduce some designers that are familiar in England. The Chinese students only really know Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Christian Dior, Versace, and Vivienne Westwood. I found this class quite difficult as these students were quite disrespectful when their tutor Daisy was speaking, they were even failing asleep. Next week I have to introduce 2 more brands.
Tonight is another early night as Kate and I travel to Hangzhou in the morning for our placement and have to be up at 5.45 am. Grim!
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