However, in my classroom in China, the desks are bolted to the floor facing the front of the class. Moreover, there are clear dividers between desks that separate students. When I first saw my classroom, I was extremely surprised because I expected the classroom to be the equivalent to that of my college classrooms. Something else that took me by surprise was that the professor’s desk was elevated, rather than being on the same level as the students’. To me, this was a visual way to indicate that the teacher is on a higher level, whereas my professors always made me feel as if we were equals in a discussion.
Once I started teaching, I found that though my students are eager to learn, the way that I was taught may not be the best way to teach this particular group of students. For example, in college, participation was a major part of our grade, and despite being a shy person, I learned how to voice my opinion and speak in class discussions. Sometimes, getting my students to participate is like pulling teeth--particularly because reading and writing are emphasized in their English education (rather than speaking).
Now, I’m learning how to teach my students in a way that will coax them out of their shells. I’m also trying to learn how to best teach them so I do not make them uncomfortable, but rather excited to participate and learn. For example, I've found that my students love competition. Now, I integrate exercises or debates that have a clear winner; this, in turn, motivates my students to engage with the lesson. I will continue to hold some of my American perspective of education--especially because it is such a big part of who I am--but I will also incorporate some of the Chinese education norms as I learn more about them.
