The longer that I have been away, the more I think, is two weeks enough? For the teachers to really understand what we're trying to teach them, for the teachers to retain what we have taught? I hope so.

The English team taught in two schools, Liantang and Xiangtang. The number of teachers in LT started out in the 40s, but as the days went on, dwindled down to the 10s. As for XT, the situation was even worse; 0-3 teachers on any given day with ~10 students. The student's English was even better than the teachers at XT.

We did a mixture of pronounciation, essay writing (for LT), review of the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), and random American/Foreign culture. The most satisfying lecture we had was the one on the IPA. Me, being a native speaker of English, never learnt the IPA and thus, I wasn't much help. I also had a language barrier; my English was too good and my Chinese absolutely sucked. Apart from grading the essays and correcting their pronounciation, I wasn't much help. Ginger took charge of the IPA and I'm glad to say, the teachers at LT hung on to her every word, and they even asked her to come back and review. 

What I'm really wondering I guess is that did the English team make a difference in the situation in Jiangxi? I understand that the program was during the summer when the teachers were supposed to be on vacation and yet some of them chose to listen to people half their age. That shows incentive to learn right? However, we had a roster and we are supposed to take note of who shows and who is truant. Will they have a cash bonus for showing up? Is it not large enough to keep the teachers with us for two weeks? I can only remember 5 teachers from LT and around 7 students from XT who have shown up everyday despite the hot weather. Other teachers from LT have shown up every other day, every two days, and sometimes, every three days. The same teachers also expect us to put their name down on the roster as if they've been there the whole time. Where did the teacher's intregrity go? I understand if they have other commitments but seriously...c'mon. One lady told me that because she remember my name, it shows that she was in class everyday when I know that she only came twice a week, Monday and Friday.

If they didn't show up to class, then how are we supposed to teach them what they're supposed to know? And if we don't teach them, are we really making a difference? And is two weeks enough if they only show up for five days? I believe that the program should be extended to a month with a mandatory attendance. Even though I know the attendance thing will not work out but if we started with 40 and ended with 10 in two weeks, then for a month we'll start with 40 and end with 20. I suppose I'm being selfish. They have families and other commitments at home, but still. I dunno. I want to believe that I have made a difference for the future generation. For the students at XT, wow, they're amazing. Primary and secondary students all eager to give up their summer and learn English. I hope we have made it worth their while.

Anyways, maybe next year will be better.