Retired couples volunteer in China
By Scott Christofferson- Tue, 08/18/2009 - 21:04
Every year, the Kennedy Center for International Studies sends more than 70 senior citizens to China as English teaching volunteers.
Kirk and Midge Evans are the program facilitators of the China Teachers Program designed to recruit and train retired couples to teach English in Chinese universities.
“This isn’t a mission but it is a great opportunity for service,” Midge Evans said. “We spent a year and a half in China and we absolutely loved it.”
The Evans said they are excited for all of those who will begin their experience this year and hope that many other couples will take this opportunity to do so as well.
The 35-40 couples that are chosen for the 10-month program go through a four-part application: a resume, self health evaluation, insurance information and ecclesiastical endorsement.
Applications are due every January and after being selected they go through 100 hours of training at the beginning of August before they start the program at the end of August.
During training, volunteers are taught Chinese culture, language and religion, but most of the training is focused on teaching written and oral English. Once each couple arrives in China they are provided an apartment and a monthly stipend by the university to which they are assigned.
Brian and Lugene West of South Jordan were serving in the Salt Lake Inner City Mission when they decided to apply for the English teaching program. They said they want to continue serving in a different capacity.
“In 2006 we took a three-week tour of China which calmed a lot of our fears about moving there,” said Brian West. “It’s an opportunity to teach those that we learned to love and to help teach them what they love.”
The Wests said they are excited for the time they will spend in China and to show the people their love.
“We hope to be ambassadors of the U.S. and we hope that we can give them a positive perception of our country and people,” Lugene West said.
As the Wests and many other couples begin their experience, others are asked to prepare their applications by January to teach during the 2010-2011 school year. For more information contact the Kennedy Center at (801) 422-5321 or china_teachers@byu.edu.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
We're alive... and up and running
Yesterday they finally got us connected to the Internet. They said it took so long because we are using Vista as our operating system. Most people here still use XP as their operating system.
We spent the first two days here cleaning the apartment. We also made multiple trips to the RT Mart (it's like a WalMart) for different things. You walk through the Shandong Normal University Campus to get there. It is about a mile away. We figured that on Friday I walked 8 miles and your mother walked 6 miles. I guess we'll get lots of exercise over here. We haven't really figured what and how to eat yet. We ate at McDonald's once, Kentucky Fried Chicken once, fixed Ramen noodles and peanutbutter sandwiches, and ate in the hotel restaurant twice.
Our apartment has a large living, kitchen, dining area, two bedrooms and two baths. The washing machine is in the middle of the bath off the master bedroom. The washer plays "Jingle Bells" when you lift the lid. Your mother had to wash everything in the apartment, so she has used it a lot. I'll send you some pictures of the apartment later.
On Friday we met with the contacts from our university departments. I will start teaching next week. I will have two Junior writing classes and two Freshman oral English classes. Your mother starts on September 7. She will have some other classes starting the end of September. We visited the building where she will teach. It is the top floor of the music building. I will visit my campus (about a 50 minute commute) Monday and check out my classrooms.
On Saturday, Toby, our waiban (our contact with the university) arranged for us to go to the opening exercises of a cultural exhibit in Ji'nan. It was very nice with lots of exhibits of local art. Since we were the only Americans there they treated us like celebrities. The interviewed us for television asking us what we were doing in China and what we like about Chinese art. They also had us stand with the dignitaries during the opening ceremonies. At the end they gave us some gifts. We got a black pottery vase and a fancy kite. Next spring our waiban is taking us to the International Kite Festival.
Next Saturday and Sunday our Waiban is taking us to the Mount Tai climbing festival. We will be there overnight. Mount Tai is the most holy mountain in China. The emperors used to make sacrifices to the mountain in order to maintain stability in the country.
Today is Sunday. They haven't organized our "group" yet, so I guess we will just read our scriptues for Church. We hope all is well at home. Email or call us and let us know how you are. We love all of you!!!
We spent the first two days here cleaning the apartment. We also made multiple trips to the RT Mart (it's like a WalMart) for different things. You walk through the Shandong Normal University Campus to get there. It is about a mile away. We figured that on Friday I walked 8 miles and your mother walked 6 miles. I guess we'll get lots of exercise over here. We haven't really figured what and how to eat yet. We ate at McDonald's once, Kentucky Fried Chicken once, fixed Ramen noodles and peanutbutter sandwiches, and ate in the hotel restaurant twice.
Our apartment has a large living, kitchen, dining area, two bedrooms and two baths. The washing machine is in the middle of the bath off the master bedroom. The washer plays "Jingle Bells" when you lift the lid. Your mother had to wash everything in the apartment, so she has used it a lot. I'll send you some pictures of the apartment later.
On Friday we met with the contacts from our university departments. I will start teaching next week. I will have two Junior writing classes and two Freshman oral English classes. Your mother starts on September 7. She will have some other classes starting the end of September. We visited the building where she will teach. It is the top floor of the music building. I will visit my campus (about a 50 minute commute) Monday and check out my classrooms.
On Saturday, Toby, our waiban (our contact with the university) arranged for us to go to the opening exercises of a cultural exhibit in Ji'nan. It was very nice with lots of exhibits of local art. Since we were the only Americans there they treated us like celebrities. The interviewed us for television asking us what we were doing in China and what we like about Chinese art. They also had us stand with the dignitaries during the opening ceremonies. At the end they gave us some gifts. We got a black pottery vase and a fancy kite. Next spring our waiban is taking us to the International Kite Festival.
Next Saturday and Sunday our Waiban is taking us to the Mount Tai climbing festival. We will be there overnight. Mount Tai is the most holy mountain in China. The emperors used to make sacrifices to the mountain in order to maintain stability in the country.
Today is Sunday. They haven't organized our "group" yet, so I guess we will just read our scriptues for Church. We hope all is well at home. Email or call us and let us know how you are. We love all of you!!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
We spent most of today finishing our EFL classes. We also had our final Chinese class. Lugene and I both want to learn some basic Chinese, but it certainly seems hard. We at least know how to pronounce some of the letters and sounds. There is an on-line English/Chinese dictionary that will say the Chinese words for you. This will be very helpful in getting the pronunciations right. I think part of the reason they have given us Chinese lessons is so we will be more empathetic with our students who are trying to learn English.
In the afternoon we had a graduation ceremony and received a certificate for our 100 hours of training. We came home tired, but excited for the new experiences that await us!
In the afternoon we had a graduation ceremony and received a certificate for our 100 hours of training. We came home tired, but excited for the new experiences that await us!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Today, along with all of the other lessons, we had a presentation on security. They talked about the things we should do to be secure in China. Even though we need to be aware, China is a safe place to live. We also watched a move about Helen Snow. She was a Utahn who moved to China at the start of the Chinese revolution. While there she married Edward Snow. She and her husband were sympathetic to the Communists and were able to meet with many of the top Chinese officials, including Mao Zedong. Edward Snow wrote a novel about the communists called "Red Star Over China". This book was very popular in the West even though it was very biased toward the communists. Helen Snow also wrote about the communists, but her books were not as popular.
In the evening we saw another Chinese movie "Not One Less".
In the evening we saw another Chinese movie "Not One Less".
Wednesay, August 12, 2009
Another big day with classes until 3:00. We then divided into groups of 8 and presented individual lessons we had been working on. My lesson was on homonyms and homophones. The lesson included a worksheet exercise. Lugene's lesson was on new vocabulary words. She played a game where the participants were given three words and they then had to determine what was similar about the words.
In the evening they showed a Chinese move called "Together". Lugene and I did not stay for the movie. We came home early because I had not felt well all day.
In the evening they showed a Chinese move called "Together". Lugene and I did not stay for the movie. We came home early because I had not felt well all day.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Today was another big day. In the morning we separated into men and women groups and talked about gender specific issues. We had a Chinese culture lesson in the afternoon. We also met with former CTP teachers who shared with us some of their teaching experiences and lessons.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Today we had another marathon day at our CTP training. We had ESL, Chinese and classes on how to teach writing during the day. At 4:00 we had Pam Tang talk to us. She is a Chinese lady living in the U.S. She is not a member of the Church. She lived in China during the cultural revolution. She along with collaboration from many others has written a book about their experiences during this time. The book has been published in Chinese, but hasn't yet been published in English. She shared some of her experiences with us.
In the evening we had Family Home Evening. We had a Chinese lady talk with us. She used to teach English in China. Twenty years ago she met an American English teacher who was a member of the Church. Following a series of extraordinary events, she was converted to the Church. Her American English teacher friend was not able to talk about the Church with her, but she made a big impact on her because of her integrity.
In the evening we had Family Home Evening. We had a Chinese lady talk with us. She used to teach English in China. Twenty years ago she met an American English teacher who was a member of the Church. Following a series of extraordinary events, she was converted to the Church. Her American English teacher friend was not able to talk about the Church with her, but she made a big impact on her because of her integrity.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Today we attended the Beijing China and Shanghai China International Districts combined conference. These are the two Church districts in China. The meeting was held at BYU. It was a very spiritual and informative meeting. President Steven L. Toronto, president of the Beijing district, spoke to us as well as Robert Lewis, president of the China International District branch. Those preparing to go to China as teachers sang a choir number, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go." Lugene gave a very nice closing prayer.
Those of us who will be living in Ji'nan are part of the Beijing district. There are about 15 expatriate members of the Church in Ji'nan who meet on Sunday for their meetings under the direction of a yet to be designated group leader. As we understand it they meet in one of the apartments where we will be living. Quite often after the meeting, they move to one of the other apartments for a pot-luck luncheon.
The theme for the conference was taken from Alma 37:6-7. ". . . by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instance doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." This scripture emphasizes the powerful influence we can have on the Chinese by being good examples. It was emphasized again that we cannot talk with them about the Church, but we can influence them by the way we live our lives.
Those of us who will be living in Ji'nan are part of the Beijing district. There are about 15 expatriate members of the Church in Ji'nan who meet on Sunday for their meetings under the direction of a yet to be designated group leader. As we understand it they meet in one of the apartments where we will be living. Quite often after the meeting, they move to one of the other apartments for a pot-luck luncheon.
The theme for the conference was taken from Alma 37:6-7. ". . . by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instance doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." This scripture emphasizes the powerful influence we can have on the Chinese by being good examples. It was emphasized again that we cannot talk with them about the Church, but we can influence them by the way we live our lives.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Today we had survival Chinese, TEFL, Chinese religions, and Chinese political systems classes. President Toronto, president of the China district (our group in Ji'nan will be a "twig" associated with the district) also talked with us. He emphasized the need to obey the Chinese laws and not discuss religion. Our job is to teach English and be good representatives of BYU, the United States and our religion. President Toronto shared with us the following quote. “While, like all members of the expatriate Church in China, you are messengers without the message, you will have the opportunity to bless the lives of many in many unexpected ways.”
At the end of the day, the Kennedy Center brought in food and we all enjoyed a Chinese dinner together. After dinner we watched the movie "To Live". It is a Chinese movie that follows the life of a family during the rise of communism in China. It was very interesting.
At the end of the day, the Kennedy Center brought in food and we all enjoyed a Chinese dinner together. After dinner we watched the movie "To Live". It is a Chinese movie that follows the life of a family during the rise of communism in China. It was very interesting.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
We started today with individual and group photos. We then had some more survival Chinese training, teaching English as a foreign language, more classes on how to teach writing and roundtables with some previous China teachers. In the roundtables they showed us how they taught and shared some of their teaching aids. I got some really good information on how to teach my writing class.
In the evening we had classes on using PowerPoint. We really learned a lot. Unfortunately, there may not be facilities to use PowerPoint on our campus. I guess we'll know for sure when we get there.
In the evening we had classes on using PowerPoint. We really learned a lot. Unfortunately, there may not be facilities to use PowerPoint on our campus. I guess we'll know for sure when we get there.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Today is the 3rd day of our training. Someone in the group said that if we can survive the training we should be able to survive China!
We started the day with computer information class (e.g., where to find teaching materials on the Internet). We were told that Facebook, Twitter and BlogSpot are currently blocked by the Chinese government. We will try to keep this blog current by emailing information to Stephanie to post for us. There was also some concern that Wikipedia is also blocked.
We had another survival Chinese class, another teaching English as a foreign language class, Chinese history class and a class how to teach writing. In the evening all of the China teachers attended a session in the Provo temple. It was another long, but very enjoyable day. We are getting more and more excited and more and more nervous every day.
We started the day with computer information class (e.g., where to find teaching materials on the Internet). We were told that Facebook, Twitter and BlogSpot are currently blocked by the Chinese government. We will try to keep this blog current by emailing information to Stephanie to post for us. There was also some concern that Wikipedia is also blocked.
We had another survival Chinese class, another teaching English as a foreign language class, Chinese history class and a class how to teach writing. In the evening all of the China teachers attended a session in the Provo temple. It was another long, but very enjoyable day. We are getting more and more excited and more and more nervous every day.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Today is the second day of our training. We left home at 7:00 a.m. and got home after 10:00 p.m. It was a long day. Today we had a "survival" Chinese class, a class on teaching English as a second language, a class on Chinese history and a presentation from the BYU travel department. They are the ones who are arranging our travel. We found out that the formal invitation letters for us have finally arrived and the visa request has been made. They feel confident we will have our visas by next week. The plan is to leave for China on August 24 at 9:20 p.m.
During the day we met with Eric and Christine Sorenson. They will be living in the apartment next to ours and will be teaching at the same university. Lugene and Christine will teach on the campus where we will live and Eric and I will commute to the second campus (about a 50 minute commute) to teach. They are really nice people. We are lucky to have them as our co-teachers.
In the evening we met with the other teachers who will be in Ji'nan as well as some couples who have previously taught there. It was very interesting and informative. Jay and Dana Thelin, a couple who are returning for the second year were there as well as the Sorensons. Other couples teaching in Ji'nan are Mac and Marilyn Nelson and Richard and Paula Watkins. They are all nice individuals. It should be fun to live, work and play together.
During the day we met with Eric and Christine Sorenson. They will be living in the apartment next to ours and will be teaching at the same university. Lugene and Christine will teach on the campus where we will live and Eric and I will commute to the second campus (about a 50 minute commute) to teach. They are really nice people. We are lucky to have them as our co-teachers.
In the evening we met with the other teachers who will be in Ji'nan as well as some couples who have previously taught there. It was very interesting and informative. Jay and Dana Thelin, a couple who are returning for the second year were there as well as the Sorensons. Other couples teaching in Ji'nan are Mac and Marilyn Nelson and Richard and Paula Watkins. They are all nice individuals. It should be fun to live, work and play together.
Monday, August 3, 2009
China Teacher's Program Training
August 3, 2009
Today is the first day of our China Teacher's Program Training at BYU. We started at 7:30 a.m. (which meant we had to leave home at 6:30 a.m.) and ended at 8:00 p.m. (home by 9:00 p.m.) It was a long, tiring but very productive and enjoyable day.
There is a limit of 70 people who can participate in the program each year. This is a limit established by the General Authorities who supervise the program. Elder Oaks is the primary contact. This year about 1/3 of the participants are returning for a second (or third) year. It must be a good experience if this many return. In our training today, there is one single brother. The rest are couples. Most of the couples come from Utah with a few from California, Washington, Arizona, Wyoming, etc. One couple is from Canada.
Today we had classes on Chinese history and culture, learning to speak Chinese (we studied sounds and tones), how to prepare a lesson plan, basic medical concerns, etc. In the evening we had a Family Home Evening where we were able to get better acquainted with the participants. Everything was very positive. We are getting excited about our new experience.
Today is the first day of our China Teacher's Program Training at BYU. We started at 7:30 a.m. (which meant we had to leave home at 6:30 a.m.) and ended at 8:00 p.m. (home by 9:00 p.m.) It was a long, tiring but very productive and enjoyable day.
There is a limit of 70 people who can participate in the program each year. This is a limit established by the General Authorities who supervise the program. Elder Oaks is the primary contact. This year about 1/3 of the participants are returning for a second (or third) year. It must be a good experience if this many return. In our training today, there is one single brother. The rest are couples. Most of the couples come from Utah with a few from California, Washington, Arizona, Wyoming, etc. One couple is from Canada.
Today we had classes on Chinese history and culture, learning to speak Chinese (we studied sounds and tones), how to prepare a lesson plan, basic medical concerns, etc. In the evening we had a Family Home Evening where we were able to get better acquainted with the participants. Everything was very positive. We are getting excited about our new experience.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Ji'nan, China
This is a good site for information about Ji'nan. This is the city where Lugene and Brian will be teaching.
http://www.chinajinan.com.cn/
The following site has a good video about Ji'nan.
http://www2.china-sd.com/Video/2006-11/6_239.html
http://www.chinajinan.com.cn/
The following site has a good video about Ji'nan.
http://www2.china-sd.com/Video/2006-11/6_239.html
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