How Chinese Teachers Can Enhance Their Professional Experience in the U.S.-China Teachers Exchange Program A Guide for Chinese Exchange Teachers March 2011 National Committee on United States-China Relations (NCUSCR) E E E Acknowledgements The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations wishes to thank the many American and Chinese teachers and administrators involved in the U.S.-China Teachers Exchange Program for willingly sharing their experiences and ideas for the benefit of future participants. This guide could only be developed with their generous input. InSites, a Colorado-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that conducts the ongoing evaluation of the exchange program, developed this guide based on its evaluations of the program and other in- formation provided by the program staff. The following individuals served on the InSites evaluation team: Patricia Jessup, Beverly Parsons, Rosemary Reinhart, Jessica Germain, and Kathy Wyckoff. The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) uses this guide in operating the U.S.- China Teachers Exchange Program. It also is available online for other interested parties. Please contact the National Committee for permission to cite or quote from the guide. Margot Landman Senior Director for Education Programs at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Preparing for the Exchange .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Make Plans for This New Teaching Experience ........................................................................................ Develop Skills and Knowledge for the Exchange ......................................................................................3 Gather Information and Materials That Will Support Your Teaching .................................................34 Participating in the Exchange Experience ................................................................................................................. Be Personable .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Communicate with Your School Hosts .............................................................................................................. 5 Be Open to New Experiences ................................................................................................................................ 56 Teaching in U.S. Schools ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Draw on Your Experience as a Teacher ............................................................................................................ 7 Ask Questions .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 Look for Other Teaching Opportunities ........................................................................................................... 8 Make Classes Engaging to Students ................................................................................................................... 9 Explore Different Ways of Teaching ................................................................................................................... 9 Help Future Exchange Teachers .......................................................................................................................... Managing Students and Classroom Discipline ...................................................................................................... 10 Set Up and Enforce Classroom Rules .............................................................................................................. 10 Ask for Help ............................................................................................................................................................... 10 Establish Rapport with Students ..................................................................................................................... 10 Solving Common Classroom Challenges .................................................................................................................. 112 Handling Classroom Management and Discipline .................................................................................... 18 Engaging Students’ Interest in China ............................................................................................................. 1 Adapting Your Teaching Style to the Needs of American Students ................................................... 192 Dealing with Differences between Chinese and American Schools .................................................. 21 Helping Students with Difficulties in Learning the Chinese Language ........................................... 234 Teaching Students at Different Levels of Learning ................................................................................... 2 Finding Teaching Materials ................................................................................................................................ 256 Improving Your English Language Skills ...................................................................................................... 26 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................ i …Table of Contents continued on next page Table of Contents (cont.) 27 Appendix A: Slang Terms and Phrases ..................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix B: Selected Reference Materials on Current Topics in American Education ...................... 29 GeneralT Education Resources ............................................................................................................................ 29 eaching and Learning ......................................................................................................................................... Assessment and Grading ..................................................................................................................................... 312 Classroom Management ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Cooperative Learning ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Special Education .................................................................................................................................................... 334 Appendix C: Suggestions of Gifts for Americans .................................................................................................. 3 Appendix D: Topics Taught by Chinese Exchange Teachers ........................................................................... 35 Chinese Language Topics ..................................................................................................................................... 35 Chinese Culture Topics ......................................................................................................................................... 374 Appendix E: Lesson Plans Taught by Chinese Teachers ................................................................................... 41 Body Parts .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Naming Body Parts (1) (Elementary) .................................................................................................. 41 42 Naming Body Parts (2) (6th grade)....................................................................................................... 41 42 Naming Body Parts in Pinyin (High School) ...................................................................................... 42 Naming Facial Parts (1) (Middle School) ............................................................................................ Naming Facial Parts (2) (7th grade) ..................................................................................................... Parts of the Body (All grades) .................................................................................................................. 43 Chinese Culture ........................................................................................................................................................ 43 Calligraphy Painting for Four Seasons (Middle School)) ............................................................. 43 Designing Movie Posters (Chinese 3) ................................................................................................... 45 Chinese Language and Characters ................................................................................................................... 45 Chinese Characters (High School) ........................................................................................................