Basic Schedule

So this is the basic schedule I have and the basic schedule for the students. For my east coast readers, flip the AM and the PM and you have Beijing Time, for central time readers, add an hour then flip the AM and the PM.

7:15 AM. Wake up, look over powerpoint for first class, get ready for the day, etc.

8AM. Diction. As part of the morning exercises, I teach diction. Basically, saying "sh" "th" "uu" and "put your tongue like this" a lot. When you look at diction from this standpoint, English is very tough. Many of these sounds, Chinese simply doesn't have or is rarely used. For example the "th" sound. Many Chinese use the "s" sound for "th", resulting in phrases like "Sank You" and "my toos hurts." It's quite difficult for Chinese to overcome these barriers, so when you hear one properly pronouncing the "th" sound, it tends to shock you at first.

9 AM-12PM. First class is over, I'm heading back to the dorm to prepare for what's next. However, chances are good, at least one person will stop me with a new updated schedule or a revised lesson plan that needs to be incorporated right away. This tends to take the most time and i spend the next few hours going over the lesson plans for the afternoon and evening classes, as well as sitting on a quick staff meeting or discussing issues of equipment, students, room availability or some combination of all the above.

12PM. Lunch is required to be spent with the students in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is universally loathed by the students and staff, but the discussions and friendships made make it worth it.

1-2:3oPM. Nap time. This is a break in the day, and is also a cultural thing. Good luck getting anything done in China this time of day.

2:30-4PM Famous Speeches and Fairy Tales. This class teaches the students a bit of western/American culture by the use of famous historical speeches and the retelling of fairy tales. The student's have a sheet with the speech or story, but several blanks in it. After listening to it several times, they pick up the words and afterwards we have discussion on it. Today was Barbara Bush's Commencement at Wellsley College.

4PM. Time to prepare for Evening Club and catch my breath a little. Clubs are smaller classes that are grouped on interest. Like all things here, attendance is mandatory for students. Being 5 minutes late to a class results in a tardy. 3 tardies equal one absence. 3 absences and you are dropped from the program.

6PM. Dinner with Club.

7-8PM. Club meeting.

8:30-9:15PM. Depending on day, staff meeting or Bible study. Sometimes they end earlier, sometimes they go longer.

9:15-10PM. Subgroups from the staff meeting to discuss more role specific agendas or small groups from the Bible study.

11PM or So. Bed time. :)