April 26, 2021 by Kim Ooi
Standing in a corner. Writing lines. Perhaps being smacked on your hand with a ruler. I’m sure all of us have memories of this. Even if we were model students who never got punished ourselves, we would’ve seen or heard about some of...
June 22, 2019 by Kim Ooi
While working in China as an English teacher, I’ve learned that some university students cheat in exams. It’s an interesting phenomenon given many Chinese universities have a no-fail policy for paid-up students. So, why would a stud...
April 28, 2019 by Kim Ooi
Picture this scene: you’re standing in front of your university English class in China trying to explain something. Meanwhile, Adam has his head on his desk, sleeping, Sugar is playing with her mobile phone and Fiona is doing homework from a...
February 05, 2018 by Kim Ooi
Have you ever wondered what life in China is like from a student perspective? I taught writing last semester and offered as a prize to the best student in my class, the chance to get their essays published. I have reproduced below, with permiss...
June 18, 2017 by Kim Ooi
Nihao! Welcome to China! Today, I am going to teach you a new language which you will find most helpful in your efforts to understand what your students are saying. This language is neither Chinese nor English but a mixture of the two – Chin...
March 20, 2017 by Mike Cairnduff
China excels in international education rankings, with its teenagers topping the tables in reading, mathematics and science. The influential Pisa rankings, run by the OECD, are based on tests taken by over half a million 15-year-old students in ov...
December 30, 2016 by Nicholas McKay
In teaching English to second-language learners, there are many stereotypes I have come across. Some teachers I’ve met are quick to label their students. Below are just some of the stereotypes I have heard in conjunction with Chinese learner...