Comments on: First Day Student Culture Shock

By: Lily Class 15C

Lily Class 15C — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:07:11 +0000

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.

By: Wendy Class 9C

Wendy Class 9C — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:39:18 +0000

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.

By: Linda Class 14C

Linda Class 14C — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:30:04 +0000

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.

By: Alice Class9C

Alice Class9C — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 08:36:23 +0000

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.

By: Albert Class 16C

Albert Class 16C — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:23:35 +0000

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.

By: Judy Class 10C

Judy Class 10C — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:08:21 +0000

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.

By: Tom Class 14C

Tom Class 14C — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:56:33 +0000

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!

By: William Class 3C

William Class 3C — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:02:40 +0000

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?

By: Tiffany Class 3C

Tiffany Class 3C — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:33:54 +0000

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!

By: Joe Class 14

Joe Class 14 — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:05:38 +0000

Thank you very much, Mr.Wolff.
I was lucky to have this kind of environment you created to improve my English.