China is an old country with a long history. We have our own tradition almost as long as five thousand years. Chinese teachers adopt many good traditional customs of teaching. Chinese teachers are good at learning from the others. They believe “Teaching and learn are developing at the same time.” They are hard working and intelligent. If they find some more effective ways of teaching , they will try to learn from it and use it in their own language teaching.
Chinese teachers usually works carefully. They always teach students tirelessly. They think teachersshould be committed to transmitting knowledge and solving problems for students. They not only teach books but also cultivate people. Therefore, Chinese teachers usually add much more feeling in their daily teaching than teachers in other countries. They can persist their belief to teach every student , and try to make their own methods more thoughtful to each student.
Traditional culture plays a crucial role in Chinese English teaching methods. In this part, Chinese teachers’ traditional ability of learning from the more powerful ones is explored at first. Chinese teachers’ traditional careful teaching attitude in their daily teaching is also provided in the same section.
Chinese teachers’ traditional ability of learning from others in teaching.
The students learn vary from one to another just as teachers teach in different ways. If taking learner preferences into account a teacher has to devote more time and effort to adjust his/her teaching procedures. Such extra effort and commitment deserves a reward.
Chinese teachers are good at learning from the others, especially the young ones. When they see the new better teaching methods, they will try to use them in their own teaching. Many young teachers learn new and modern ways of teaching from some classrooms, abroad studying or online. They will generalize all the good ways of teaching and make a new one that fits them well. They use it, improve it at the same time. Many new teaching methods appear in China in the recent years. Our old traditions are changed a lot by most young teachers. However, a few old teachers are still stick to the traditional ways of teaching.
There is a Chinese saying: Learn the good points from the other people and then conquer them inthe similar ways. Chinese people had the tradition long before. Chinese are clever and intelligent as well. When they find a better thing , they will try their best to learn and use in their own ways. Owing to this, many new teaching methods are learnt and many even better methods are created by Chinese people. Chinese teachers won’t copy but create on the basis of the original ones.
In the process of learning , Chinese teachers will absorb the excellent parts and extinguish the useless parts. They treat new things with their critical eyes. Many new teaching methods appeared in China from time to time. The new methods fit Chinese students well after improving by the teachers in China. The new teaching methods give the students a new feeling and a better teaching environment.
Chinese teachers know that we can take Chinese learning as a fundamental structure ; Western learning for practical use. Teachers use the new ways , but the fundament won’t change a lot. They use the modern ways to teach English , but they the basic things remain still. Teachers know what knowledge is the most useful for Chinese students .When they use the new ways , they will leave something unchanged according to our tradition.
2.2 Chinese teachers’ traditional custom of teaching others tirelessly.
In Chinese history, teachers were thought to be the most excellent people in the society. They are diligent gardeners, the engineers of human souls, etc. They were respected by many people in the society at that time.Chinese people thought that if the country wishes to prosper, it will value teachers and stress the role of instructors. Only by valuing teachers and stressing the role of instructors can the laws and regulations survive. They also thought that an outstanding student is produced by a strict teacher.
From the ancient times to the modern society, teachers are usually respected by most of the people. Because of the great respect from others, Chinese teachers were “made” excellent. It seemed that if they are not as perfect as people expected, they would feel ashamed themselves. So almost all the teachers in China are patient and hardworking. As to the students, they must set a good example for students to follow with his / her conduct, teach by personal example as well as verbal instructions, instruct with principles, move with emotions, and guide with teachers’ own actions.
In Chinese teachers’ daily teaching, they always teach the students carefully. To the slow learners, they must try their best to make the students understand them . They are tired but they must try their best to fulfill their profession. In fact , they are tired. However, their occupation makes them work” tireless”.
Because of this, Chinese teachers’ teaching method is good for students , especially the younger ones. When they make mistakes in learning , teachers will teach them again and again until they understand at last. On the one hand , this teaching method is really great. On the other hand, it brings some problems too. Teaching time and time again makes some students think that it is OK that they cannot understand at the very beginning. Teachers will make them know at last. After a long time, the students will lose their ability to challenge themselves and the ability of creativity.
Everything in the world has two sides. Teaching method is no exception. Chinese traditional English teaching method is excellent , but sometimes it has some drawbacks too.
3.Negative cultural inferences of Chinese context on the English language teaching method.
