Chinese scholars enjoying stay at UCFV

Teaching English as a Second
Language when English is your second
language is a challenge. Teaching ESL
in China, where there are few native
English speakers to practice the language
with, makes the task even more
challenging.

Lian Jinping and Jin Peilin are two ©
teachers who have risen to the challenge.
Both have taught English for many years
at Tianjin Foreign Language Institute in
China, and are now visiting the
University College of the Fraser Valley
for a year to learn about Canadian ESL
teaching methods.

The teachers have left their husbands
and children at home and are staying
together at a Clearbrook boarding-house.
They have a varied schedule at UCFV.
They’re observing ESL classes, helping
with tutoring, and taking a
communications course. They’re also
teaching a Chinese culture and language
course through UCFV Continuing
Education, and are willing to give
presentations on China-related topics to
regular classes.

“This is a good chance for us to
practice English with native
speakers and learn about
different teaching methods.”

The Chinese government-funded
scholarly visit grew out of a B.C.
post-secondary tour taken by Asian
educators last year. A representative of
the Tianjin school was impressed with
UCFYV, and arranged for Lian and Jin to
come.

UCFV’s role includes issuing the
formal invitation, assisting with .
bureaucratic procedures, helping with .
the adjustment to Canadian life, allowing
the pair into classrooms, and generally
including them in activities. The
International Education department is
coordinating the visit.

“This is a very good chance for us to
practice English with native speakers,
learn about different teaching methods,
and generally learn more about western
customs, culture, history and
geography,” says Jin.

Lian Jinping (left)

One of the major differences between
the classes Jin and Lian teach in China
and ESL classes at UCFV is the level of
English that students arrive with. The
students they teach in China are all high
school graduates who have taken several
years of English training. Many of the
students in UCFV ESL classes are recent
immigrants with very little English.

Despite the difference, they find
observing the classes enriching.

“We’ve observed several teachers’
classes, and find their methods very
active. They really interact with their
students,” says Jin.

“The teachers really interact
with their students.”

“All the instructors have been very
open and friendly with us,” adds Lian.
“The students are also very friendly,
although it can be hard to communicate
because of the language difference.”

The pair commute from Clearbrook to
the Abbotsford campus on King Road
the Chinese way -- by bicycle. The trip
takes about 40 minutes.

“In China, most people ride bicycles
to work, but here it is not common,” says
Lian. They’re hoping to get through the
winter without experiencing a snow

Headlines/Jan. 27 1992

storm,

Lian and Jin have been practicing
their English with house-mates at their
boarding house and, to their surprise,
with people on the street.

“Everyone’s very friendly here,” says
Jin. “When walking on the street, people
will say hello to you. In China, there are
too many people to say hello to them
all.”

Tianjin is a major Chinese city, with a
population of six million. The pair have
visited Vancouver, but are happy to be
staying in the Fraser Valley.

“T like the area because it’s very quiet
and clean,” says Jin.

It’s the first time abroad for both of
them, and though they miss their
families, they’re grateful for the chance
to experience another culture.

“The university college has done a lot
for us,” says Lian. ““We’re very grateful
for the opportunity to do research and
study. That’s why we like to help out by
teaching the night school class and
visiting other classes.”

If you would like Lian and Jin to
visit one of your classes, contact them
through Karola Stinson at local 4544.