So far, an update.

Yup, it’s official, I've been here one week and I'm still alive.

I had my first day of classes yesterday, what an eye opener. The school I am teaching at is a public elementary/middle school combination. When I say public school I mean that I am part of the actual staff here at Yi Yang School... I don't work at an ''English school'' but rather, am part of a public school's actual curriculum.

And yes, when I realized this, it was really scary.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very lucky how that worked out. I get to see how the Chinese school system works and how they create those oh-so hardworking ''Workers''. (I say worker because when you ask a child what his parents do for a living, they will simply respond: ''My father is a worker''. There are no clear definitions of what middle class employment is.)

Things I have learned about the Chinese Public System since yesterday:

• The schools are giant. My school has no less than 3000 students (I have 12 groups of grade 1 students...!)
• The Chinese teachers are GOD. As students, you do as they say, no more, no less. If you go outside those boundaries, you will get punished. Punishment ranges from insults, to yelling, to embarrassing comments, and even to hitting... yes hitting.)
• Because of this, it's very hard to get an answer out of a student if they aren't sure what it is. It sometimes takes me to up to a whole class to get an answer out of any one student. Once they realize I'm not going to smack them, they loosen up. At least a bit.
• They all have uniforms (Public or private. This includes arm badges that tell you what grade they are in.)
• Lunch is served cantine-style on metal trays. Everyone eats the same meal.
• They have 15 minute breaks between each class, and every two classes they do eye exercises. I haven't seen this yet.
• After their first two classes, they do their Chinese Exercises. This consists of students lining up in endless lines and doing a choreographed stand-up routine. This has been the highlight of my experience at this school... It's bizarre but it's yet another example of this state-run system in which they basically train students to do, say, and think all alike. It was really quite the sight. I'll get a video of this later.
• They had EVERY kid memorize my name because to this school, I am a valued guest and should be respected at all times. I get allot of HELLO NOAHMEE's while getting to, being at, and leaving school.
• There is no central heating in schools, or anywhere for that matter. You just wear your coat indoors. I can't wait for summer.

Classes so far are going well. I have 12 groups of grade 1 students that I see twice a week and then I have ''Teacher Discussion Time'' twice a week. From what understand, this consists of me talking to various teachers in the school to help with practice. They've literally BUILT a new English Center for this purpose and I’ve already picked a paint colour for it. Yeesh!

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Apart from school life, Qingpu is my new home and so far I couldn't be more foreign if I tried. I live in a Teacher's College residence along with 5 other BSK teachers (Two of whom haven't arrived yet) and I'm only now getting used to the stares. I get allot of HELLO's and HOW AW YOU's and many many pointing fingers. Most are from kids but I get allot of attention from men and very curious chatter from older folk who can have an endless conversation with me even though I don't say much more than hello, how are you, and thank you.

I also find it amusing, albeit slightly insulting, when they laugh uncontrollably when I use chopsticks or say anything in Chinese.

Oh well.


More to come later.


Much love!