Interactive Teaching with Students from China

Central NE NW SW SE Xiang Dialect Han Dialect Wu Dialect Minnan Dialect Cantonese

Students’ social, cultural and financial background Geographical/social/linguistic: Cities versus rural areas Big cities versus small cities Implications/stereotypes: Beijing – more political, straight forward, more humorous or sarcastic; Look down upon those who do not speak Mandarin properly Shanghai – more practical, clever, shrewd, calculating, more cosmetically orientated Look down upon those who are not flexible (yang pan, ying pan) Guangzhou – more commercial, money minded, smart in business, generous/particular/ indulging in good food and personal enjoyment. Look down upon those who do not take care of themselves and all northerners are hillbillies

Cultural: Culturally refined (normally from cities) v. Simple life orientated (normally rural areas) Educated families v. less educated families Southerners (more influenced by western and non Chinese) v. Northerners (more Chinese) Financial: Rich v. Poor (more motivated and hard working) Born-rich second generation (taking things for granted, less respectful)

Cultural/Value Differences between Chinese and American Offer help (mind reading as being considerate) v. ask for help (respect and value for independence and self sufficiency) Reserved manners v. assertive manners Follower (memorization, note taking, quiet, obedient) v. leader (creative, innovative, proactive, adventurous) Punishment for errors (laughs, lost of chances, etc.) v. complementing for courage and efforts and discovery of potential

Suggestions for Interactive Communication Know the students’ background and their expectations Have an orientation to stress the new value system and expectations in American culture (ex. responsiveness seen as being good mannered while unresponsiveness as disrespectful, etc.) “Enforcement” for responsiveness in class: games, turns to answer questions, learn students’ names, direct questions to specific students, etc. Scoring system to encourage verbal participation (students love to work toward high scores)