Shanghai

It is Thursday afternoon in Shanghai as I write this, but I am well aware that folks in Birmingham and in most places in the USA are fast asleep. The time difference became more real as I sat in my pajamas last night talking to the fourth graders in Ashley Kizer's class. With the technology of Skype and Mr. Kizer's technology skills, I was able to watch the fourth graders as they talked to me, asked questions, and continued with their work. Fortunately, they could not see me! I also had the pleasure of talking to my family this morning before my breakfast. They had returned from school and music lessons and were preparing dinner together.

I am going to back up a little bit and share some more details about our visit in Shanghai.


During yesterday's visit to Chengfeng Middle School (affiliated to East China Normal University), we learned many interesting facts about education at that school. During our visit with the principal, Mr. Tang Minyue, several of the English teachers sat with us and helped us with the translations. Students in China generally start their English classes in first grade. It is expected that English is their second language, but some choose a third language during high school. What we call middle school is their "lower middle school," and our high school is called "upper middle school." Their school day begins at 8:00 with morning exercises and ends at about 5:00. Twice during the day, the students stop their regular work and practice eye exercises that involve massaging or pressing gently around the eye area. This is a very old tradition, and they thought it was strange that we asked questions about it. They believe that these eye exercises help keep the eyes healthy and rested.

Each school's curriculum is chosen half by the state or government and half by the school itself. The principal at Chengfeng Middle School is particularly proud of the special curriculum, which includes an excellent band, paper making, and canoeing. Through participation in band, students gain exposure to western culture and music, while the paper making provides experience in an old traditional art in China. A river runs quite close to the school and right through ECNU's campus, so the canoeing is quite convenient.

We went into a middle school classroom at the end of their day -- around 4:00 or so. The students were to ask us questions. One of the questions was, "Do children in America chew gum, and is it considered disrespectful to their teachers if they do?" We answered that yes, children chew gum but not at school, and yes, it is considered disrespectful to chew it at school. Interesting that the Chinese students want to chew gum too!! They also wanted to know what we thought of their principal. Now, remember they asked us that in English right in front of their principal who didn't speak English! Of course, we answered that we really enjoyed him and thought a lot of him. And that is the truth. Had it not been, do you think we would have been tempted to answer differently? What would you have done?

Today we enjoyed a PowerPoint presentation about the university by Mr. Wang. I had told you earlier that he is from IIE, but he is actually from the international exchange office of East China Normal University. The university is very interested in attracting students from all over the world. One of their most popular majors is "Teaching Chinese as a Foreign or Second Language." Perhaps some Highlands students will want to attend a semester when they are in high school or college!

I have heard the statistic that there are more English majors in Chinese universities than in American universities and colleges. If any of you can prove or disprove that statistic, I would appreciate it.

We continued with a tour around the university campus and then went to an old part of Shanghai by way of a zig-zagged bridge. Because it is zig-zagged, it is said that the evil spirits cannot cross it. It was a beautiful way to cross the Huangpu River.

We visited the Yu Gardens (Yuyuan) [see the picture at the top of this posting] which were designed by a rich Ming dynast family of officials. The gardens have been destroyed and rebuilt three times, and they are now restored, incorporating peaceful and beautiful winding paths. We also visited the Yuyuan Bazaar, a forest of little shops where street vendors are eager to sell to tourists. Oddly enough, although there were obviously many tourists in this area, there were very few American or European looking faces. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Shanghai Lu Bo Lang Restaurant. Mr. Wang made reservations for us a week ago and ordered excellent food, including jellyfish, rice, fish, pork, and steamed dumplings (xialong bao). This area is the place to buy these wonderful dumplings. President Clinton visited this restaurant a few years ago.

After the tour of the Yu Gardens and lunch, Mr. Wang helped us shop for a while. The most fascinating place was a silk museum and shop where the silk was actually being taken from the silkworms. I would like for all of you to actually see this. The silkworms are in water, and the machine somehow has connected to the silk fibers wrapped around the worms. The fibers are pulled up from the silkworms, several at a time, and they connect in the machine to make a thread. Imagine the separate strands of yarn being connected to make the yarn but on a much, much smaller scale.

We visited the Pudong District and saw the Oriental Pearl Tower. I will post pictures of it when I return to the States, but this area, and this building in particular, made me feel as if I had entered a science fiction novel. One of the men in my group said it reminded him of some scenes in the movie, Bladerunner.

I cannot imagine what an architect would feel upon seeing the architecture here...such variety, such unique and imaginative designs.

It is now time for me to meet the others for dinner. I hope that you are all fast asleep dreaming wonderful dreams that include traveling to the far corners of the earth. What an incredible experience this is!