summer project

Every summer, the Peace Corps Volunteers in each region conduct a 2 week teacher training for local English teachers.  The Chongqing volunteers went to Ba'nan where we taught about 230 primary, middle, and high school teachers the communicative approach to teaching English.  

The PCVs worked in pairs, co-teaching one level.  Stephanie and I taught one of the two classes for primary school teacher.  To make the lesson planning easier, we divided up the topics and the 4 of us each planned several lessons so that both primary classes had the same curriculum.  Some of the topics we covered: student-centered classrooms, learning styles, differentiated instruction, teaching large, multilevel classes, content based classes, classroom management, graphic organizers, assessment, pronunciation, songs, games, communication activities, and much more.  It was an intense 2 weeks for us and for them. 

Most of the teachers in our class were willing to participate and try all these strange, hands-on, American activities, but I was surprised to find some very resistant teachers.   One problem was they were forced to attend, regardless if they actually spoke or taught English.    Someone took attendance and checked their notebooks for notes.  In all the classes, there were a few teachers who had substitutes periodically attend in their place...so weird.  

Another problem was the teachers didn't expect to actually participate.  In the Chinese education system, teachers focus on rote memorization, that's it.  In this system, the teacher presents and drills the students on information while the students receive and recite.  We were teaching and using collaboration and student-centered activities in all the lesson and it was clear that many, most?, just wanted to sit there.  Some even slept.  

Finally, the heat was terrible to the point of distraction.  The classrooms had air conditioners, but of course the students wanted the doors open. 

Overall, I think they were worthwhile weeks, even though I doubt the teachers will use much of what we taught them.  If nothing else, they have an idea about how American students are taught.  My impression is that Chinese teachers feel pressure to have students memorize from the textbooks and they feel that student activities will take time away from memorization.

The 2 weeks started and ended with much pomp and circumstance, including many predicable speeches given by dignitaries in a specific hierarchy. 

(I was taking pictures with my phone, so they are poor quality.)

PCV Jeff, representing the 12 Chongqing volunteers,
 gives an opening ceremony speech in
Chinese 

dignitaries at opening ceremony, everyone gives a speech

Step and I teaching the primary teachers 

teaching lots of songs, chants, games, and
 student- centered activities

readers theatre group, reading a short play
.... and some off-task teachers:
about 1/3 of the teachers in our class spoke no or little English

gallery walk activity 

closing ceremony performances,
each class does some song or dance, so
Stephanie and I did this Tibetan dance with a few teachers
in our class 

Step in front, me in back

closing ceremony speeches

closing ceremony performances,
PCVs Christine and Tim sing a duet 

banquet with a few teachers in our class, lots of toasting
to how wonderful it all was, now that the 2 weeks are over