The answer to the question seems to be obvious. Of course it is 305. Students have more vocabulary, better knowledge about China, and plus, the topics are more meaningful. But 101, no, we have none of the above.
However, why do I have the opposite feeling when I came out of each of the classrooms? In 101, I can feel free to ask "do you have a boyfriend? Does he treat you dinner every Friday? Do you want to treat me a cup of coffee? Why don't you have a girlfriend? Is that because you are so demanding? Is your girlfriend pretty? How pretty is she? Do you think your teacher is strange? You don't like your teacher, right? Really?!......" These questions are so personal, close and even very intimate and offending. But I don't have to worry about I will offend any of my students. They are happy to answer. They are laughing, smiling, and feeling relaxed and intending to participate... Yes, they know we are just practicing, acting, and drilling. "Not a big deal, laugh at me, i don't care, as long as I can practice." That is what i can read from their reactions. That is consensus we have have reached for our interaction.
But in 305, I have to be very careful. I cannot ask very personal questions. (Yes, I may have asked sometimes). The serious topics tend to easily separate my students and I, and also separate my students and their lives. They feel like keeping silent in the classroom, or rather talking something totally irrelevant. It is so difficult for me to identify their interests, the points which can click in their head. What can really bridge us? Language practice? no, it is so weak!
As people get older or more proficient, do they also get farther from each other? I cannot help wondering...
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3 comments:
it seems that you already got the answer in an earlier post "I love individual session." ;)
oh, yes... but you know what? I did not count the individual session as part of my teaching practice during the regular class time.
I like the question you asked: when people get older or become proficient, they are farther from each other.
well, I think it might be possible that the questions you asked in the lower level class are not suitable in the advanced class. Maybe try other questions. One question in my mind is: Do you think someday China will become a superpower? Why or why not?
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