fact: My experiences have taught me that Chinese children are no different than American children. The younger ones want to play games, yell and scream unbearably loud, and run around until they are dizzy. The older ones want to play their video games, update their lives on social media, and make inappropriate "teenager jokes" all day. No one wants to be in class and no one wants to listen to what any adult has to say.
In my middle school classes, I have the students who never stop talking but haven't learned how to whisper, the students who are always doing homework for another class, the students who delegate themselves the "class clown" (making the not-so-funny jokes), the students who never seem to have the textbook and don't know what is going on half the time, and last but certainly not least, the students who are always attentive and eager to learn. Basically, a Chinese classroom looks exactly like an American classroom - not literally.
My first graders, on the other hand, are like any first graders you would find anywhere in the world. They are not malevolent and do not have bad intentions, they're just kids, equipped with unexpendable amounts of energy and short attention spans. With approx. 40 students in each class, sometimes it can be overwhelming. But they're so cute, it's hard not to love them! I've heard some horrific stories from other teachers about students misbehaving in class: fighting each other, yelling at the teacher, making prejudiced remarks, etc., so I'm thankful that I haven't had any serious issues. Chinese children can be just as mischievous as American children. Don't believe the hype. Kids will be kids.
My first graders, on the other hand, are like any first graders you would find anywhere in the world. They are not malevolent and do not have bad intentions, they're just kids, equipped with unexpendable amounts of energy and short attention spans. With approx. 40 students in each class, sometimes it can be overwhelming. But they're so cute, it's hard not to love them! I've heard some horrific stories from other teachers about students misbehaving in class: fighting each other, yelling at the teacher, making prejudiced remarks, etc., so I'm thankful that I haven't had any serious issues. Chinese children can be just as mischievous as American children. Don't believe the hype. Kids will be kids.
- FBG