The beginning of any new academic semester is fraught with inevitable required adjustments. The post-graduate students (pgs) are no exception. They are required to take one semester of oral English with a foreign teacher. Most pgs have had prior undergraduate experiences with this inconsequential course where the grade does not count and more often than not, the foreign teacher has a guitar and only knows how to teach English songs. The pgs have a very strong preconceived idea of what to expect from their oral English class.
As the pgs approach their 4th floor oral English classroom they are confronted by a 200 cm x 200 cm banner.
They have no idea what “Chingland” means and “Chinglish Spoken Here” goes directly against and is directly opposed to their prior teaching that Chinglish is no good. This is the pgs first indication that something may be different.
As they approach the classroom door they look puzzled and double check the room number.
As the pgs open the door, their jaws drop, they freeze in position and get a “deer in the headlights” look. Again, they double check the assigned classroom number.
As they slowly enter the room there is a Chinese buzz. The foreign teacher actually looks like a real professor. The professor loudly announces, “This is an English class and this is an English classroom. Why am I hearing Chinese? If you want to practice your Chinese leave.”
A hush falls over the room. The pgs ask permission to be seated. The professor advises that those pgs who have brought their books and a writing utensil may be seated. All others must leave and never return unprepared again. Those who did not bring their books or writing utensils are told to leave but they remain frozen in time and space. The professor explains that coming to a pg class at China’s #8 most famous university is intolerable kindergarten behavior and the guilty students are ordered to leave.
Sometimes an entire first class must be cancelled and rescheduled at a punitive time.
On the very first day of the semester the professor draws the line in the sand and demands that the pgs act like mature, responsible, serious students or get out. They have never had such an experience in their prior 16 years of education. They are in shock!
Fortunately, the professor knows how to bring the pgs out of shock and within minutes the classroom is filled with laughter as everyone settles down to begin their semester of fun with English acquisition.
Read the download page article First Day Student Culture Shock
For me, the first oral English course was very impressive. The teaching methods of the professor surprised me. When I arrived at the 4th floor of the 3rd teaching building, I noticed the sign of “Welcome to Chingland” and “Chinglish Spoken here”. What was “Chingland”? What was “Chinglish”? I had never heard of these words. When I entered into the classroom, I was in shock! I had never seen that kind of classroom. The students were divided into several groups to discussion and they were not allowed to speak Chinese. But in class, the professor was very friendly and humorous regard in spite of a little strict. I was enjoyable and benefited from the professor in this classroom. Now, I think I can make my English better under the guidance of the professor.
The first thing I want to say is “Martin, thanks for your effort and what you have done for us to make our oral English better. That is very nice.” At least, I believe most of us are shocked more or less by the fist class, “chinglish is good” encourages us to say more English whatever we like, we are less afraid of making mistakes because this atmosphere relax us. Making mistake will no longer make us lose face, we do not care, all we want to do is to make progress for our oral English. I really hope that the first class influence will last for a longer time than ever, then learning English become one of our habits in our rest life.
Yeah, the first oral English course is so different from what I have had in the past 16 years! We must bring our workbooks or we should leave and never return! We should turn off the mobile phones or the professor will take them away! We should answer the phone by saying “hello”! You know, this is the first time I find that a foreign teacher is even much more stringent than any domestic teacher!
But no so fast, the course is not so dull. As a matter of fact, it’s much funnier. The classroom is just like a café. It’s the time for afternoon tea. You can have a chat over coffee or black tea. What’s the most unimaginable is that Chinglish is all right here!
So, I’m now looking forward to the next course.
As a matter of fact, the oral English course is amazing to me. The air in the classroom smells sweet. Every student just like throwing their agony away, feeling relaxed to listen. Maybe we have not felt free to communicate with English in the classroom. It is a good beginning. At the same time, we will meet all kinds of ideas, which are from the teacher and our classmates. I believe there will be struggle in our minds gradually and we learn to find our own way to face it.
Facing Martin, I am reminded of the experience that I accompanied more than twenty Yale students to visit Guangzhou, representing Lingnan College with other two classmates. Their living style, their experiences and goals, their understanding of China gave me a great shock and an opportunity to think deeper.
In my mind, oral English course not only provides me with a great chance to speak out, but also broadens my understanding about the world.
Almost two weeks have passed since we got the first oral English class of this semester, but the impression professor Martin as well as his class gave to me is still so clearly. Indeed, before the class began, I doubted a little-what could this foreign teacher bring to us? Was it another senior English-listening class? All of these went away the moment I saw the little pieces of cloth with “speak English” written on them. I knew maybe I can really enhance my oral English this time. Besides, the way professor Martin talked also impressed me a lot. He said every word with confidence and certainty, sometimes too straightforward even a little too harsh, but I got used after a while, as I knew it was the cultural difference between China and America and I prepared for it. I expect now, at the end of this semester I can learn a lot not just English but the American culture.
The second day of my new semester ,I walk into the foreign teacher’s classroom first time.I am so interested and happy. I find this classroom is very different with my usual class which I am use for eighteen years.The classroom is more kindly,it make us very ease.The equipment of the classroom is more humanness.But when we relaxing ,my foreign teacher is come in.The first feeling I see him ,he is very lovely .but when he begin the class , I feel he is very strict.I hope my English can have some progress with a strict teacher.
Thanks for your permitting to chinglish, and now I am not afraid of writing English in public, although there may be many mistakes. And usually the most memorable or helpful teacher is the strictest one. Thank your website for I can read a real foreigner’s attitude to China, whether it is consistent with me or not, because at least it open my eyes to westerners’ opinion to China.
Thanks for your permitting to chinglish, and now I am not afraid of writing English in public, although there may be many mistakes. And usually the most memorable or helpful teacher is the strictest one. Thank your website for I can read a real foreigner’s attitude to China, whether it is consistent with me or not, because at least it opens my eyes to westerners’ opinion to China.
Just as the article said, I have never had such an experience in my prior 16 years of education. The classroom looks like a café and we are told to act just like in a café. Our professor is interesting and tried his best to make us interested in English acquisition. I hope that our classroom will always fill with laughter just as our first class.
Thank you, Martin. It’s you who bring us an unprecedented English-learning method. I really appreciate it. To tell the truth, I was really shock when I sweeped the classroom and its furnishings at the first sight. I still remember clearly those funny stories you told us in the class. I mean this way did good execution for us. We totally buried ourselves in your class. It’s attractive and novel indeed. However, I have another opinion about that, about ENGLISH 24/7(learn English 24 hours per day, 7 days per week). As a matter of fact, some classmates will become an intern of banks, security or fund corporations. Some other students will take the exam of CFA, CPA and so forth. Maybe time is limited. We sometimes feel pressure from far and near. I’m not seeking excuse for something but beg your understanding and consideration when we make mistakes unconsciously.
To be honest, I’m really shocked by this English class. I was confused by the board saying”Chinglish Spoken Here” while waiting outside. After entering the specially decorated classroom, a unique feeling swamped into my mind: this is the place to speak English. Well,it’s a totally different experience during my years of English learning. Martin, you’re a extremely rigorous teacher. But I know whatever you do is for us to get better development in the future. Thank you! I will cherish this opportunity to strenthen my English without hesitation.
In fact, it is really a shock, Other kind of culture,other kind of thinking.It is for the first time to have it . so I may perish the chance even if we are much more difference.
In my opinion, culture is melt of people’s thoughts. It contains a lot of view, point, and tradition. Although there are two kinds of cultures in the world—the east culture and the west culture, people of each kind of culture sometime may be shocked at the other one’s culture, they should take an opening attitude to each other’s culture and adopt a more generous and comprehensive approach.
Although we heard something about the professor`s strict before our oral english class,yet the first lesson still give me a surprise.no chinese,no sorry for late,and so many rules everyone have to obey.Frankly,in the beginning i am so nervous that i can not do anything.While,in the end,i am surprised to find that the foregin old man is an interesting man.
When I went to take my oral English course in the third teaching building, I felt some little worried.because I scared I can not understand the class and can not follow with my teacher. After ten minitue ,I deeply like my oral English course. Because My professer has a good sense of humour,He is good at making jokes.besides He class is interesting and lively.i really enjoyed my first oral English course.
During class time,in fact, I am very nervous because of my strict teacher.But I really agree with the teacher and say “Different country has different English, we can say Chinghlish,but we must say something.” This is a really classic sentence .
Last Thursday , I had a oral English class leading by my first foreign professor Mr. Wolff. I did feel very astonished. Yeah, I know we should speak English with the foreign teacher. But I didn’t expect that we must telephone in English after class.
After I accept the idea of Mr. Wolff that only speak , listen, write in English, we can make our English better , I wasn’t afraid with foreign teacher and oral English class. Conversely, I thought I was lucky to have this kind of environment to improve my English. Thank you very much, Mr. Wolff.
EDITOR’S NOTE: WHICH OF 4 STUDENTS WITH THE NAME GRACE SHOULD GET CREDIT FOR THIS POST?
NO ONE SINCE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT FOLLOWED.
There is an saying”Even anthropologists will get culture shock”.That is ture.Even I am majoring in Anthropology,I still shocked by the first oral English class.Before I went to the class that day,my classmate who had just finished her first holistic english class told me”Run!Don’t be late or you will die!”Then I began to imagine what the professor will be looked like.And when I steped in the class,I totally shoked by the strict Martin and quiet atmosphere.But few minutes later I find the turth,Martin has a good sense of humor,and if you say English to him and follow the direction,he will be in good manners.Of course,if Chinese,you will not survive!
Prof. Wolff’s Holistic English Class is very different from the other English classes I have ever havened. No only the arrangement in the classroom, the role in the class, but also the teaching method. Prof. Wolff is a very warm kind man, students in front of him will feel less nervous. He has rich teaching experiences, he can express complex meaning by simple English words as possible. And the article in his website shows he is a man has a deep thought. I have no doubt about that I will receive much in this semester.
I was interested in the special classroom at my first sight of it, like a warm coffee house or some places for date. But just a minute later, I remembered being told that we would have a strict and very harsh professor. Then he came in. I was so upset to have course given by a foreign teacher. So I didn’t feel better until I found that I could catch what he said! Since then I paid more and more attention, and I found myself somewhat excited. I like the stories he told us, and I promise I’ll leave my face in the dormitory when I go upstairs to enjoy speaking English!
Some days ago, I took my first oral English class of this semester in the third teaching building.I was so surprised and worried when I entered into the holistic English classroom.This classroom was different from other ones,there were plenty of boards with some English words not Chinese words on the wall.Our professor was so humorous that my worries and fears died away immediately. It was a comfortable room for us speaking English loudly and freely.
I was definitly shocked when I first entered our oral English classroom.It’s so warm that make me feel that I was not in a classroom,but a comfortable family which own 37 children,and our parent is our teacher Martin.So,I want to say thank you to our dear teacher,thank you for your elaborate design.
I am not very confidence to say English,and feel very tension when someone talk to me in English.I was too shy.But,at the first time I saw Matin in our oral english classroom,he told us we should put our face in our dormitory when we speak English,and our face will waiting for our.So,I surppose that I should spesk English out,in order to improve my English and have a good future.
Every prop here’s glaring, sort of waked us up from these day’s watery weather. The props, I mean, the fully-blossomed sunflowers, colorful words of wisdom sticking on the wall, those red-and-yellow badges handy, and even Professor Martin’s funny TURTLE clothes. When talking about the secret password of “Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious!” , everyone present were twisted in tongues when tried first, I bet. But practice makes perfect, after all English set us speaking out, very much like an aerobic exercise of mouth and tongues. Let’s get down to it! And apart from bettering my English here, the other secret goal to accomplish from this course is to say bye-bye to my DRAGGING habit. Wish me best luck:)
Before I entered the class,I never talked to a real foreighner face to face,however,I’ve been looking forward having the chance.And now,we have the class together,and I heard a “real”foreghner speaking English,it sounds so good!
I love seeing American movies,not only for the fantastic story,or the handsome stars,but also because I like to hear the American English,I felt it is very pleasant.And now,I can hear you speaking American English,I will try my best to learn it,and I think I will make a good procss throuth my effort.
Thank you!
“Chingland? Chinglish Spoken Here?” Was I got lost? Where was my classroom in the building? No joking no tricking,it was the right room and the right door ——HOLISTIC ENGLISH LAB. After entering the door,frankly, I was badly shocked by a face with big shining eyes which were talking to me through the glasses as I looked at them.
That is the first time I saw professor Martin Wolff and no one could tell me how impressive it is.
At class, professor had said many things including some of his wonderful stories. Touched profoundly was I by the Responsibility of professor,a foreign teacher, after I had heard his stories.
I look forward to the next meeting.
Holistic English Lab, where amazing happen.
Not Desire, not determination, not leadership or anyother NBA slogan, no clutch shot, no slam dunk, no crossover or anyother showtime, there is still where amazing happen. When I first heared that Chinglish is good and without any problem, I was amazed just like I saw Nate Robinson jump over Dwight Howard to dunk in the NBA slam dunk contest 2009. No standard English! No standard American English! No standard International English! After hearing that, I feel a bit more confident about the outlook of my English study.
Thank you very much, Mr.Wolff.
I was lucky to have this kind of environment you created to improve my English.
I won’t forget the first day of this class. I was surprised by the interesting decoration, the beautiful flowers on the desks, a lot of colorful slogans on the wall, and the special arrangement of the room. Professor Martin wore a hat written “Speak English” and told us seriously that no one can speak a letter of Chinese here, only English is permitted. I was shock but quickly adapted myself into this new and fresh environment. Unfortunately, I forgot to buy the workbook in advance, so Professor Martin forced me to buy a book at once, otherwise I was not allowed to come to the class. I felt embarrassed but I quickly realized that I was my fault. “How can a worker go to work without his tool?” This was the first lesson I learned from Professor Martin. Ha-ha!
Frankly speaking, the environment is not a shock to me. I’ve been to some courses with a neatly decorated classroom, clustered table and chairs, banners everywhere, etc. However, such a environment doesn’t necessarily make us feel comfortable, because we normally don’t have classes hold in such classroom before.
What really shocked me was the way this course was conducted. I knew that Chinglish is ok before, as long as you can make yourself understood. But, no Chinese permitted here? That’s quite difficult. The second thing that shocked me was discipline. Be late, and you will be locked outside. Without the book? Sorry, there is no entrance for you. I feel quite uncomfortable about this, because we usually don’t care much about it, as long as you can finish the homework and pass the exam. However, it is a great opportunity the improve English, especially spoken English indeed, why not obey the rules and have fun?
It is the first time I have a realy english class.Frankly,I realy know what culture shock it is when I go into the classrom and see our foreign Professor.All of the things are different from the english class I had have before .From the tabes to the chairs ,etc.Most important,we have a realy english teacher and such a good environment for our study english.Thank you ,Mr.Wolff!
This was a completely new and fresh environment, and Mr. Wolff was my first foreign English teacher. I liked all of that. When I sat in the chattering room, hearing what Mr. Wolff said, I was so excited. After the first class, I was thinking that if I planted myself in such an English acquisition environment before, the English study time during last ten years would have been valuable. Absolutely, consequence now is different. Fortunately, I encountered such environment such teacher and such English pedagogy. I will cherish the chance and try my best.
What Martin read to do now is to modernize ,not westernize English teaching.He tries to combine the new with the traditional so as to adapt the communicative approach to traditional grammar translation method.Nowadays,students play a much more active role in the learning class,no longer passive recipients.Communicative approach emphasizes way to improve students’ speaking ability.
First of all,the teacher not only need to creat an active atmosphere,but also to provide each other with a turn to speak or a role to play.
Acturally,in the English class,the most difficult part for the teachers is how to stimulate the students to talk in English and find a approach to motivate a positive emotional in language learning.So far the methods used by Martin has proved to inspired and benefited the students.
English is prevalent throughout various part of China. Over the last two decades,Chinese primary education has institutionalized the language ,and an English proficiency exam is required for entrance to all universities.Many Chinese recognize English as an international language.
However,we still can’t speak English fluently with nearly 10 years’ English learning. When a person’s ability to express the true meaning becomes difficult,often the sense of disconnect may arise.That is to say, we can’t enjoy the English all the time.
As we all know, practice makes perfect.The more effort you make,the greater progress you will make.The Holistic English Class has created a atmosphere for us to communicate with each other in English freely,which I thought exactly benefits all of us.
Yes, all of us got a culture shock that day. And I really appreciate it, as well as Professor Wolff’s thoughtful works on it.
I have never thought that Chinglish is a good thing. It is obviously a subversive idea that Chinglish is better than no speaking English. Besides, following the teacher’s instruction, we have a lot of works to accomplish after class, including posting comments on this web site. All this is new to me. And it is interesting to see what a foreigner concerns about, which aspect in our culture will interest him. Maybe that is cultural shock impacts each side.
We have had 3 classes in the holistic English lab this semester. It’s absolutely true that when we step to the lab the first time, we were full of curiousness, puzzling, novelty because of the special assigning and atmosphere of the lab. Also, we were interested in our foreign teacher. He is always energetic, sensitive and sagacious. Each class time, we have to bring the Holistic English Workbook and finish our homework seriously to acquire a permission to stay. Otherwise, we have to go out of the lab and can’t have class with students. It seems too strict, but it’s necessary. If you could stay and settle down, you’ll find it’s really an interesting moment in the oral English class. The whole classroom is filled with laughter as a result of the teacher’s unique and humorous style of giving instruction.
I had already been shocked even before I actually attended the class. I had heard a lot of comments about Professor Wolff. Almost everyone said that Professor Wolff was extremely strict in an unimaginable way. I was afraid because I was a typical Chinese student who cared face very much and is not quite active. I haven’t made a good impression for my previous foreign teachers before. However, what Professor Wolff has said in the classes are like magic. It is the first time for me to think about throwing my face away and never worrying about making mistake while speaking “Chinglish”. Besides, following Professor Wolff’s instructions is not quite difficult. Professor will be “mad” only when someone breaks the rules. If someone knows about the results of breaking rules and still does that, he or she deserves to be punished. Thanks to Professor’s new teaching, I think my English has improved a lot and is still improving.