The truth is

that teaching without a) much experience b) a computer c) access to unlimited copies d) good textbooks is quite a challenge. This job seems to be more an exercise in creativity than anything. For example, I have to teach juniors to write. I haven't the heart to tell them that their writing skills are at the level of about 10 year olds. Many of them have stated that they hope to write like American college students by the end of the semester. Now, granted that our semesters here are a bit longer than at ETSU (20 weeks compared to 14), this is still a rather impossible goal. They would have to progress at a rate close to one year of writing experience every week.

So, I've discarded that as a goal. I've just explained what a thesis statement is. We will work towards a five paragraph essay in the next week. After working on that for a while, I will try to move towards some more advanced writing. Did I mention that they are expected to write a thesis next year? Goodness!! So, we will finish the semester off with how to write a critical analysis. The book that we are supposed to use begins with lessons on how to write essays on comparison and contrast. And perhaps you are able to see the beginning of the problem?

My conversation classes with the sophomores will be action-packed. They are expected to have short speeches every week and two prepared speeches (one is a group presentation). Oh, and we have no computers in the room for internet access or power point presentations. Many of my students cannot properly type up an essay. They claim that typing up a paragraph or so takes them 3 hours. And the formatting on many of them is completely off. For example, I've had about 25 papers come in with two spaces between each word, comma, period, etc. Crazy.

But enough about my crazy teaching life.

Last night a whole group of us went to the Chinese Bath House. Or, I should say one of the many bath houses in town. We spent the evening there for about 12 bucks. That includes: admission into the bath house (10RMB), body scrub/exfoliation (8RMB), Korean dinner (25RMB), access to saunas (included in the admission), soaking in the tubs (also included), a massage (30RMB), and a nice fresh squeezed fruit drink (12RMB). Oh, you have to be naked. That's the catch. But, everything after the body scrub and the soak (in the womens' area) includes nice cotton pajamas and is co-ed. So there you go. Would have taken pictures, but you know, didn't want to be a freak. Just kidding, I really had no intention of taking photos and I didn't even bring my camera.

Here's a cultural tidbit:

Most Chinese families have extra slippers for guests. And, you even have a different pair of slippers for the bathroom. You might think it odd until you see the bathrooms. They are all squatter toilets. I've noted that such toilets often create a bit of a mess. So, I'm quite thankful for designated bathroom slippers.

So much . . .

There is much to tell and relatively little time to catch everyone up on this past week's adventures.

I left Madrid on Thursday morning. Flew to Milan, Shanghai, Dalian (to discover that my flight did not exist and I had to purchase another one), Beijing, and finally to Weihai. The problem? ORBITZ SUCKS!! So, warning to all international travellers, stay away from Orbitz. The flights are attractively low, but you will surely make up the difference in other ways!!

Today begins WEEK 2 of teaching at Shandong at Weihai. I'm a bit sick. I have found an international group of friends--all English speakers. I still haven't been able to connect up with this David kid, but I hope to do so this week. Hopefully, my Chinese classes will get underway, but looking a bit doubtful in that department!

I have 5 classes--three writing classes and two conversation classes. The books are quite dull, so all of us are looking for materials online to supplement the books.

It is still quite sunny and warm here. I think we have about 2 more weeks of nice weather before it turns cold.

The school is about a ten minute walk from the Yellow Sea. Don't be fooled, it is quite blue. Lots of huge jelly fish. Needless to say, I have not been swimming in the water. Just on a friend's Catamaran for about 15 minutes.

Will cut down some pictures and attempt to post them here soon. Please be patient, this is China (common phrase one hears).