Adventures of an Australian English Teacher

Book for Prospective English Teachers

2012-10-20T08:27:00.001+10:00

A friend has written a book about her adventures in China, called China or Bust! She and I were in China at the same time - though she was there earlier. She and her husband went first together, though later she was on her own.

(Not a good photo of me, but here I am at the Graduation hall)

We both completed our Master of Arts (Writing) together at Swinburne University in Melbourne, and recently both went for our Graduation.

You can purchase a hard copy or as an e-book from Amazon. Click here

It is a good read - hopefully my book on my adventures will soon be completed.

You can check on Lana's blog here

Do I remember him?

2012-08-15T06:23:00.002+10:00

It is over two years since I left China after my last tour of duty at Shaoxing, so it was quite surprising to find an email in my inbox.

"Do you remember me? I am one of your students" The name was not familiar, but I knew it was not Chinese - more middle eastern, which suggested he might have been in the school at Keqiao where I taught one night a week.

I replied, asking him to give me more information. He replied with the name of the school, in Keqiao. So I was right.

There were not many non Chinese students in the school, but Keqiao is a big textile city - I recall the huge piles of bolts of fabric in the streets each night as I was drive past on my way to class.

There was one student I remember well. Who could forget a student with 27 brothers and sisters? His father had several wives - some remained in Pakistan, but he had one or two with him. He was a wealthy man in the rag trade, and his son was learning English to further the business.

I replied to him. "Do you have 27 brothers and sisters?"

His reply "Yes, you do remember me."

My reply "I certainly do."

His next reply "I am in Dubai on bissniss"

My reply "English lesson - we spell it business"

Once a teacher, always a teacher.

I wonder if I will hear from him again, and why, after two years he has chosen to correspond with me.

GrandMA

2012-06-19T21:37:00.000+10:00

When I returned from China in 2010, I set out to study. I had learned of a Master of Arts (Writing) at Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria, and duly applied and was accepted. Since September 2010 it has been the focus of my life. Most of my assignments were submitted on time, except one, because in the midst of the semester my father passed away, and I found it difficult to focus on my study. I eventually completed the work several weeks ago and waited with fear and trepidation to see if I had made it over the line.

Fortunately I did. So last Monday night I received a message, that I could indeed apply for graduation in September. Yippee.

Now I can focus on my writing! And my other plans.

Literacy and Numeracy

2012-06-15T08:46:00.002+10:00

Is it an indication of our poor schooling these days? Or so many Australians whose first language is not English? Either way, there are so many errors in publications, signs etc, that there surely should be more work for those who are trained to assist with the English language.

Reading a property sales brochure today I came across this one.

"EVER WANTED TO BUY A PEICE OF ACERAGE WITH EASY HIGHWAY ACCESS TO BRISBANE"

The real estate agency, one would hope, had better spellers for their official documents.

What do you think? Do you often spot errors in newspapers or websites?

Esk and Fernvale

2012-06-07T09:07:00.000+10:00

I've been 'itching' to take my car for a longer drive. My driving so far has been around the city and suburbs, and I felt like a long drive, so this morning I set off for Esk. Of course I have been through this part of the Lockyer Valley, but it was a long time ago.

I set off just before 9 am, heading down the Motorway and across to the Ipswich Motorway. There was a good deal of traffic - plenty of trucks and I reminded myself that I had not been on a 'country' road for a long time.

The weather was almost perfect for such a journey - cool, and quite windy around the city, but out where I went, it was not as windy. My destination was Esk. I do like that name. I'd forgotten that from the Warrego Highway one has to pass through Fernvale. It was here I made my first stop.

I did buy a meat pie at the famed Fernvale Bakery and did plan to go back and take a photo, but passed by on my return trip forgetting my promise. The Bakery has won over 100 Awards for their pies, and the place is just wonderful. Indoors it is warm and welcoming, and they have a good outdoor eating area too, and public toilets.

However, I do plan another trip soon - they have good markets on a Sunday, so I will make the journey in the next month or so, to see the markets.

I went for a short drive and found this house. I had a quiet giggle to myself. See the downpipe into the water tank? See the old airconditioner in the window of the old house/ I love seeing the old country places and the corrugated iron 'features'!

Lovely old wooden church in Fernvale

Main street of Fernvale

Esk

I remember.....

2012-06-05T07:27:00.001+10:00

It was on June 4th, in 1989, that something awful happened in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. I won't dwell on it here. I remember being in Tiananmen Square in 2010 and a cold chill running through my body as I recalled the images in the press of that awful day. Let it not be forgotten.

China or Bust

2012-06-04T10:26:00.001+10:00

A friend of mine has published her story about teaching in China, calling it "China or Bust." Christine writes under the name of Lana Kerr. The book is available on Amazon.

She and I had quite different experiences. She went with her husband, which is clearly of benefit when taking on living in a strange country where the language is impossible to understand or read when you first arrive.

I went alone, but fortunately my contract was with a university that had a large number of foreign teachers, and some 10 or so from Australia, if my memory serves me right. At least there were plenty who spoke English, and some had been there for a while.

Christine/Lana also did not appear to live on campus, but had the challenge of living in housing surrounded by other Chinese, and without the support that I had.

She tells the story of going to China, and offers advice and suggestions for people looking at going there.

I am also currently reading Peter Hessler's book "River Town" which details a completely different story of an English Teacher in China. He went to a city called Fuling, in the Yangtze River Valley, a city on the banks of the river, but so steep that going up and down stairs to shops was the order of the day. There were no bicycles as it was too steep!!!

Both books are available on Amazon.com.

Lana's book can be found here.

Peter's book can be found here.

Friends visiting

2012-06-03T08:50:00.000+10:00

In 2010 I had the honour of hosting two students from the university at which I taught. They came to Australia on their own and with the support of International TESOL College, and while they stayed with host families, I had them during the day from Monday to Friday.

It was fun and tiring. There were so many adventures, and one which rather shocked me. When teaching in China, we are given instructions not to discuss politics, and religion with the students. Though there was one student who wore a t-shirt with a photo of the tank about to run over the student, whom I warned to take care. Actually he disappeared. Whether he was taken from the school, or his father (who knew his son's obsession with that dark time in China's history) took him from the school. I don't know.

Still, when Rita and Mandy came to Australia I did not set out to tell them anything about Chinese history that we know. However, one of the host mothers 'saw it as her duty to tell them about it', and showed the video of the massacre on the Internet.

One morning, not long after I picked them up, Rita asked me if I knew what happened at Tienanmen Square. I stopped the car - somewhat in shock. We spoke for a short while about it. The girls were rather traumatised to learn about it, and shocked that in their own country the information would be hidden from them. I think they started to learn, how information is censored in China. Rita phoned her father in China, and asked him, and reluctantly he told her that he had heard it happened, but they just didn't talk about the past.

Later this one one of my other students will visit Australia. I look forward to that experience.

Nick off Spammers

2012-05-27T14:40:00.001+10:00

I don't know why this blog gets more than its fair share of spamming from idiots who think that they can made a comment, slip in a stack of links to their own sites. But luckily Blogger/Blogspot deletes them for me.

Crazy stuff

2012-05-27T11:49:00.001+10:00

When I was in China - I think perhaps the second 'tour of duty' I heard that Li Yang, the creator of Crazy English was holding a rally at Yuexiu. I had not heard a lot about this program until then, but read up about it.

His story, which he told at the rally, was that he had failed a number of English exams, and frustrated he went out somewhere and shouted out his words in English, and found out that he was able to learn them better. He shouted out some of the things that he had to learn, subsequently went on to have great success in his English exams, and thus created "Crazy English" giving talks and rallies all around China. Subsequently he had a successful business and has become very wealthy.

On the day of the rally at Yuexiu, I was keen to find out all about it, and hid in the gardens near the outdoor stage where he was presenting. Strangely enough, at one point, he had the crowd all yelling out and he took a short break from the stage, wandered into the garden and 'found' me. He dragged me (well, I was reluctant!!!) on stage, and I had to speak a little. I can't recall now what it was - it was all over in a few minutes but his staff thanked me and gave me a signed photograph of him, which is probably somewhere in my archives.

At the university there were several Crazy English groups, as the students tried to overcome their shyness and gain confidence in their English pronunciation. I worked with several of them. It was very crazy, as some of the stuff that was in their books was stupid. Many words of power - typical Chinese 'anthems' I suppose.

It is nearly two years since I have even thought about Crazy English, until today, when I was watching an ABC program featuring stories about Asia. One of the stories was about Li Yang abusing his wife, American born Kim Lee.

Apparently, he is accused of bashing his wife, and eventually she came out and told the story on Weibo (microblog popular in China), and as a result has 'opened a can of worms'. It is believed that more than 1 in 4 wives in China face domestic violence. Remember, this culture has had a long history of treating their women differently than in the west. Read any book about life in China, and you will understand more.

Reading an article in the Shanghaist website is interesting - suggesting Li Yang did not marry his wife for love or romance, but as an experiment. Read it here.

According to the story, Kim Lee, was prepared to stay with him, if he went to therapy, which he subsequently refused after initially agreeing to.

In any case, it has raised the issue of domestic violence - and this is being discussed more widely in China.

Article in Daily Mail
Article in Huffington Post
Article People's Daily on-line

So, will China legislate to make domestic violence illegal?

International Women's Day

2012-03-04T15:43:00.001+10:00

What I big day I had - I shared with fellow member of 5W the story of Qiu Jin who is described as the "Chinese Joan of Arc" (1875 - 1907), a radical women's rights activist who defied tradition to become the leader of a revolutionary army in China.

She was a prolific writer and also wrote

"With all my heart I beseech and beg
my two hundred million female compatriots
to assume their responsibility as citizens.
Arise! Arise! Chinese women, arise!

This is from the website www.autumn-gem.com - and I recommend that readers purchase the DVD of the documentary. It is fascinating.

I have a special connection with Qui Jin, but I regret I did not know the story until I had left China. In Jie Fang Lu, Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province China, is a statue, that says something like Qui Jin, Martyr in English and other words in Chinese.

I did know that there was a museum to honour her, but I didn't get there. It is not far from the statue, but I was not taken there, nor did I hear anything about her.

It is on my bucket list. I must go and see the museum.

However, I was able to share the story with my friends from 5W yesterday, and afterwards we went to the China City Seafood Restaurant, on the ground floor of the Chifley Hotel, in the Mall, for Yum Cha.

I had another function in the city in the afternoon - a Writing Workshop with Thea Biesheuvel for the Society of Women Writers, Queensland.

Keeping in Touch

2012-03-02T09:49:00.003+10:00

Isn't the Internet wonderful? It enables me to keep in touch with students from Yuexiu University in Shaoxing. Mostly the students contact me via email, but there are several with access to Skype so I can speak with them or 'converse' via text messages.

A couple are hoping to come to Australia later this year - so it will be good to catch up with them. In 2010 there were two students that I spent a lot of time with - they were very good friends, and between them had decided to spend a lot of time with 'foreign teachers' to benefit their English skills.

They were lovely girls - though sometimes you would find them a bit 'in your face' - they'd be lurking somewhere to find a foreign teacher, and not always did you want to include them in your activities, but mostly we did without complaint.

Last year I heard from one of them that their friendship had fractured. In part it may have been that they came from different worlds - one came from a family with money, and the other from a very poor family. As is usual in China, the more wealthy girl and her family would have been generous to the other, and I really have no idea what caused 'the split'. Part of it may have been that the less affluent parents chose to put their daughter in a school that was not so expensive.

Still, both girls correspond with me. That I am pleased about, and I don't mention the other. Maybe one day they will get together again. Who knows.

Friendships in China with students - male or female are very close. If they are at school/college together, they will probably board in the same room - 8 or 9 students crammed into a tiny space with limited cupboard space, one table, a couple of chairs, and of course mostly bunk beds.

Another student was accepted into the Communist Party (it is not easy to get into the party), and as a result he was given his own apartment. As a result, his dorm mates were no longer his constant companions, and indeed he rued the day he went t live alone, without friends.

He still communicates with me. His parents (who are not wealthy) are very proud of his achievements and not only the joining of the party, but he has been very successful in study and part time employment. Some days he is not all that sure he has made wise decisions, but to change direction now would upset his family.

As I said, it is good to keep in touch with them.

It's been almost a month...

2012-01-08T16:04:00.000+10:00

since I last posted here. My study is drawing to a close and my house sitting will continue for several more months, but I am looking at some options for teaching English in Asia towards the end of the year.

China is out - as I am over their age limit now - but there are opportunities in Asia and some in Australia. I'm just not ready yet.

I am still in touch with some of my Chinese students from Shaoxing, and one thought is to visit there - perhaps not until early next year. March/April is best - to avoid the cold and the heat, so I will factor that into my plans.

My major writing projects at the moment include a biography and a m/s on Bamboo. So much to do, but in the next few weeks I travel to Perth, Western Australia, then up the coast to Dongara, before returning to Perth, and then to Adelaide for a couple of day, then back to Brisbane for around a week and then off to Bali to do some research on Bamboo.

I have not given up plans to teach English in Asia. Just watch this space.

What will it mean?

2011-12-09T15:12:00.001+10:00

I often smile as I hear predictions about the power and might of China. I wonder. I wonder for a number of reasons. The country is terribly polluted - and the factories keep pouring smoke, and GOK what into the atmosphere. Many water courses are polluted - you only have to look at them. There is a massage problem with rubbish - terrible because the Chinese wholesalers and retailers love packaging, and it is often cast aside in the streets, in the waterways, under street gardens, everywhere.

The video below shows how the Chinese have been building massive cities and accommodation complexes with major shopping centres, which remain empty. No one lives in the residentials - terribly expensive. The shopping complexes are awesome, and empty.

Is this a smart country? I wonder when they are going to 'hit a wall'. I wonder what the future is with China.

Check out these videos.

Where will I teach next?

2011-11-25T07:24:00.001+10:00

I have been preoccupied with my studies and house sitting for the last 18 months, since my return from China. I had planned to go back to China, but was told they don't want anyone over 60 any more though I have heard from a student that the plan to employ younger people as teachers is not working well. Still, I have some time to go on my studies, so no real plans.

I have just learned how to add maps to my posts, and went to look for Zheijang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages at Shaoxing, but the map showed me to a place that clearly was not the campus I recalled, and it was only just over 12 months since I was there. I know Chinese builders are quick - but I knew it wasn't right. After some further study I learned that the university is placed wrong on the map - it is across the road from where it is shown on the map. Make sense? .

View Larger Map

Actually the A, D, C, spots are in the huge parklands across the road, and the E is the primary school, and may well be closer to the spot. Will I go back there? Maybe not to teach, but I'd love to visit again. One day.

English teacher in Japan

2011-07-30T04:58:00.001+10:00

I found this video on the Courier Mail site this morning. The story is about teaching English in Japan to small children. I taught in China, and at high school and university, but it reminds me of the sort of classes that were conducted in the hagwans in South Korea.

The teacher talks about the long hours - 8 classes in a day, of perhaps 45 minutes. It wasn't clear. In China we worked around 16 hours a week in the class room, but each contract will be different. If one is employed in a the private language schools the hours are much longer.

China again

2011-06-19T18:42:00.001+10:00

I'd like to say that I have a ticket to return to China - I guess next time it will be for a holiday, but at the moment I am grounded in Brisbane.

However, my connections with China persist. My next house sit - starting in just over a week, is because my friend and her husband are going to China to work. I'd love to go with them - but I will be caring for their dog.

But today I was surprised to see on TV the news about a new movie that had its world premier at the Sydney Film Festival - it is called "33 Postcards" and I look forward to seeing it. It was filmed in part in Sydney and also in China. I'll link to more information about it.

I have watched the shorts of it - looks good to me. Click on the banner and you will be taken to another blog - and the post about the movie.

Make your own banner at MyBannerMaker.com!

The Kookaburra

2011-06-10T17:57:00.001+10:00

I was chatting with a former student in China on Skype yesterday and I announced that a kookaburra had just landed on the back deck railing. A kookaburra? He had no idea what I meant. I tried to explain to him. Today I sent him this video, as the kookaburra came back and I managed to get a few seconds of him before he flew away.

The are rather aloof birds, and there are plenty of them around. Usually they are shy, but will come close to humans for food, which is why this one was visiting. I occasionally give him some mince meat.

They have a strong laugh - hence 'laughing kookaburra." Following is a video complete with laugh.

The Mysterious Knife

2011-06-09T07:47:00.000+10:00

I am sure I have written about the mysterious knife in my possession. This morning I used it to spread my fig jam (yes, home made by me) on my toast, and it made me think of the knife's story. The story is also an example of something that happens in China. If you do the right thing, or show kindness and friendliness to someone, they will undoubtedly help you.

When I was in Shaoxing I went to the post office often - I would post parcels back to Australia from time to time, and it was during this strange process that I befriended two works in the post office. One was a lady who sold lottery tickets from a small desk that had no space other than the cash register, and space underneath. She sat here for hours on end selling her tickets and chatting with her customers and passers by. She was positioned almost in the the thoroughfare in the post office. In her quiet time she would open her English study book and read and try and learn English. I'd often call by and sit with her for 15 minutes or so answering her questions about English and conversing with her and helping with her pronunciation errors. We became friendly.

Only a few feet away was 'the box man' - he looked after the cardboard boxes, so if I needed to send items to Australia I could not wrap them, but I would take them in a plastic bag to the box man, and he would select the right size box for me, and I would take it to the desk opposite where the girl would look through all my items and if approved, she would seal the box, weigh it, and give me forms to complete (customs, list of contents, details of receiver etc.) and when I paid I would leave the box and hope that it arrived back in Australia. I must say I had 100% success rate. Everything turned up.

When I had arrived in China I had to buy all my utensils and most I left behind but there was a cutlery set - one knife, one fork, one dessert spoon, and a teaspoon, that I purchased early on and I loved the set and at the end of my tour - I decided to include them in a parcel back to Australia. The goods were duly packed in the box, but the girl behind the counter found the knife and said it could not go. "We cannot send knives in boxes." I protested but she took it out. The box man came to listen to my protests, and quietly observed my argument that a knife in a box was not going to do any damage to anyone or anything. It wasn't a sharp knife and would have trouble doing damage to a block of butter!

The knife was put on the counter. I subsequently filled out the paperwork, the box was sealed, I paid my dues and then looked for the knife. At least I could take it with me in my luggage. But it was nowhere to be seen. It appeared that someone had taken it. I shrugged. No big deal. And went on my way.

Can you imagine my surprise when my box of goodies arrived back in Australia, a few weeks after I had done so, and when unpacking I found the knife. I can only guess that the box man surreptitiously had slipped the knife into my box. I'd love to thank him, but of course I cannot.

I remember him when I went back to China on my third 'tour of duty' - he had been excited to see me and called out across the post office in a loud voice "Adalia" - Australia!!! He had remembered me from my previous time there some 12 months before. I guess I am not difficult to remember - tall and blonde, but it did surprise me.

Now, I have my knife, fork, spoon and teaspoon - and I will always remember the man in the post office. Xie Xie.

Chinese Ballet

2011-05-29T07:04:00.003+10:00

I am going to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on June 9th to see the ballet "The Last Emporer" - but today I have been watching videos of Chinese Dancing. Since reading the book "Mao's Last Dancer" and seeing the movie several times, I have learned so much about the wonderful training and quality of dance in China.

Many readers will be familiar with the iconic ballet "Swan Lake" - watch the video below and see how the Chinese do it.

The following video is of the "Dance of the Red Lantern" performed in Amsterdam, Netherlands,
and is a wonderful exhibiton of combing Chinese culture with ballet. It is a long video.

Learning a Language

2011-05-28T11:31:00.000+10:00

I was fortunate in that at school I learned Latin for 3 years, as well as French. Latin has helped me with my own language (English), as well as French and at times Spanish. When I was at school we had an Australian teacher, who may have been to France. I can't remember. All we had was the teacher, and our books. No film or video in the classroom in those days, and no recording of any sought. We learned by speaking loudly and repeating, and repeating.

After I left school I learned Italian at classes held in the Adelaide University. As it turns out I've not had to use my language skills and they have all but gone, though I understand when I hear these languages spoken.

When I went to China I did for almost two semesters, learn Chinese (Mandarin), but I bailed out when the conversation learning was too difficult for me, and not only that the conversation we were supposed to be learning was not particularly useful for me at that time. That was in 2008, and oddly enough we did learn by repeating, and we also had the use of voice recordings.

What a difference from language learning now, from my yearly learning days. And to be able to learn at one's own pace either with a CD program or online. I am keen to rejuvenate my Italian a little, and I don't mind brushing up on my Chinese from time to time. However, I know if you don't 'use it' you may well 'lose it' so much of what I have learned is fading from my memory.

Still, I found a site yesterday and am working through some of the free lessons. The introductory lessons go for 6 days, and after that one would have to pay. Not me, or not at the moment as I would be determined to work on it if I paid, and I'm not in the mood to do so at the moment.

However, I do suggest, that the program on this site - Rocket Languages. Of course there are many programs on the Internet, so it would be worth doing some research through Google.

There would also be quite a few on Youtube, and probably for no cost too. I found these lessons with Yangyang.

New blog for 31 Day Blogging Challenge

2011-05-26T07:39:00.000+10:00

I decided to create a new blog for this challenge. It is called Movies, Books and Life. Click here to visit the new site.

Cheating at IELTS

2011-05-26T07:32:00.001+10:00

Those of us who have worked and lived in Asian countries will know that many people in Asia have a different attitude to 'cheating' than we do in the west. To cheat in exams in China - well, many do it, and often with the support of their teachers and the university hierarchy.

This example may help you understand. I found that 6 of my students in one class did not understand English but I was not told. When I found out, I spoke to the Vice Proncipal (that is what it said on his door), and he told me to treat these boys the same as I would any other students. Mmm. It was impossible as they didn't understand what I was asking of them, and in a class of 45 students for 45 minutes there was not a lot of time. I did offer to help students who were having challenges as an extra curricular activity but these boys did not attend.

At the mid semester test, they failed. Each handing in their paper, without anything written on it. Most could not even write their name in English. Sadly I had no choice but to give them '0' for their tests. When it came to the end of semester test, I was not permitted to either supervise or mark the tests. And surprisingly the six students passed with flying colours!!!

In Australia in recent times there has been some skulduggery in Western Australia, and the newspaper reports of a staff member of Curtin University helping students pass. IELTS ( International English Language Testing System) is the acknowledged system for testing English language proficiency and it is required to pass to a certain level for university study in Australia, UK, and other English speaking countries. There are alternatives, but IELTS is probably the one requiring the highest proficiency.

Several of those involved will face court in the next couple of weeks in Perth, and clearly there will be dire consequences, and it is possible that Curtin University will no longer hold IELTS tests. You can read more on this story here.

I remember when I was in South Korea, the participants in th course were required to have an IELTS score of 6.5, but the administrators 'waived' that requirement, but as it was an Australian certificate that they were studying for, they had to produce their IELTS results in order to receive their certificate. One of the students could bearly speak any English! But the South Koreans did not see that as important!!

31 Day Blog Challenge

2011-05-22T15:12:00.001+10:00

I purchased the ProBlogger ebook some time ago, but didn't do anything with it. Didn't even find time to read much of it, but I've 'dragged it out' and read at least the first 20 pages, and I know I can do it. I am hoping that I can increase my readership and perhaps earn a small income from by blog adventures.

The guy behind ProBlogger is Darren Prowse, and he hails from Victoria, Australia and is making a good income from his ventures.

So 31Day Blog Challenge here I come. If you want to participate you can click on the banner above or click here to register.

Sky Burial

2011-05-22T14:55:00.000+10:00

Reference to 'Sky Burial' comes up in Xinran's books. At first it doesn't make sense, but when you learn what she is referring to, it makes sense. I've yet to read this one of Xinran's books, but I have read references to it in a number of places. You can read about the book 'Sky Burial' which she wrote in 2004 here.

The video below may seem a little macabre at first thought, but I like the line at the end. When we are dead, we are dead. If you are buried underground worms take your bits away. I like the idea of the sky burial, although we don't have such birds to do the deed here. Maybe the crows will take the bits away.