Becoming a teacher!

So this week has revolved largely around our classes here at the CAMIC centre. I can indeed confirm that I am a fully qualified TEFL teacher! During our final 2 day course and assessment we had to teach two lessons, with feedback between the two of them. As a group we participated in so many icebreakers I'm sure  I could happily trust fall on any member of the and be sure that they would at least try to catch me!

I've settled into CAMIC nicely, opened up a café in my room, standard :)

 I lie, it may be a bar. Either way the fridge is well stocked!

TTC welcomed us with a lovely buffet dinner and a variety of entertainment including this lovely gentlemen who did an impressive Tai Chi demonstration with fans. Sounds a little tame when you first think abut it, but the first time the fans opened up with a load SNAP!, you appreciated the level of balance and concentration the whole performance needed

Beginning my tour of the local delicacies and delights northeast beijing has to offer, we must first stop off at the canteen. After living off a steady diet of local grub wherein the noodles were made in front of you and you could practically hear the chicken's last breaths, the CAMIC canteen was a bit of a let down. Pictured below is the best meal I have had so far, complete with chopsticks and durable canteen tray.  Chopsticks still add to the fun of the whole meal, so no matter how full you may be, the veritable delight you experience every time the food actually reaches your face makes you want to keep eating!

Pictured: as good as it gets! (*Note, the Kebabs are lumpy due to being half bone……)

Pictured: the alternative at a local supermarket. They really take their pot noodle quite seriously here! And all in all it is DELICIOUS.

Pictured: a local 'Greasy Spoon' The closest I may have come to heaven on earth.

So, moving swiftly on: upon culmination of our teaching course, we began our Chinese Language and Culture classes. Mornings entailed an overwhelming three and a half hour dose of Manderin (hen hao!) followed by a more sedate dip into Chinese Culture in the afternoons. Below are the examples of my work!

Papercutting: reached an intermediate level.

Calligraphy: apparently enthusiasm doesn't count for everything. Still needs work!

Other fun facts:

• In China, the host, or the most important person at the table faces the door. This is so that they would be the first to see any intruders.
• Your should never point at anyone with your index finger.
• You should never stick your chopsticks upright in a rice bowl. This is highly offensive as it mimics the incense sticks put on graves at a funeral.
• You should never write your students names in red or cross them off a list with 'x's as this harks back to the death lists during the days of the cultural revolution.
• If the spout of the teapot is pointing at someone at the table, it is a sign that they are not welcome.

This occurred at dinner. I get the message guys.

As a final point, you may all address me as Fú Kăi Lìn Lăo shī. Which basically translates as 'Teacher Kathryn Forsyth'! That's right- I have a Chinese name! I'm off to find the other Fús so we can have a family reunion!

More soon to follow!

Zài jiàn!