Tag Archives: New York City
You Want Me to What?
When I was preparing to come to China, I tried to learn important phrases in Chinese, like “Thank you”, “How much?” and “Where is the bathroom?” I did not learn “And now your foreign teacher is going to sing Edelweiss,” … Continue reading
Pictures For My Dad
The Great Chinese Scallop Shell Stockpile: The Final Resting Place Of Scuffy The Tugboat:
Look, I can read!
I’m not sure if identifying the words rain water on a gutter really count as literacy.
Mutants and Masterminds
It’s hard to pick a favorite class, but I think my middle school boys are awesome. The other day, we did comparative adjectives. First, I asked the boys for their favorite X-men, and we played superhero charades. Some of the … Continue reading
The Value of a Hogwarts Education
I bought Harry Potter in Chinese. My adult students were shocked and appalled that I spent so much on a DVD, comparative shopping is a competitive sport here and every time I mention anything to do with shopping, someone tells … Continue reading
The Wife of Bag
The other day, I was in the staffroom with Lily and Jackie talking about our families. One of the great things about Mandarin is the ability to explain family relationships. I don’t have to call Scep my semi-brother, there is … Continue reading
Even a Harlequin Romance…
My school’s English library consists of Harry Potter 6, Pride and Prejudice, A Tale of Two Cities and, inexplicably, Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul. Harry Potter is printed on what feels like fax paper and haphazardly bound, with weird … Continue reading
Chinese Nascar
Stick, this is for you and your folks: This is a man on the bus wearing a Jeff Gordon jacket! I wish my Chinese was good enough to know if he spoke a rural or city dialect.
Lao Wei Who?
There are no knock-knock jokes in China. I thought that the Interrupting Cow and “Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana?” would be fun for my wee ones, who are getting a little frustrated with the sometimes-silent K. First, I … Continue reading
Alien Abduction
My contract promises me the chance to teach 12- to 18-year-olds, but it doesn’t expressly forbid me from teaching other ages. Ji asked me to teach a “demo lesson” for a few young children. “What’s a demo lesson?” I asked. … Continue reading
