Iris Yao, a high school teacher from Shanghai’s prestigious Guang Ming High School, describes herself as “just an ordinary teacher of English.” But this year, at least, Ms. Yao has been singled out by her school as someone very special.
For two months this winter she is teaching Chinese culture and language, and ESL to students at the South Kent School here. Her visit follows an earlier trip taken by veteran South Kent teachers Arthur and Mary Brown who spent September through November in Shanghai working with approximately 400 students at Guang Ming.
The Browns’ mission was “to help students build familiarity with American English and spread understanding of U.S. culture,” Mr. Brown said. By exposing American students to Chinese culture, now Ms. Yao is returning the favor.
The teacher exchange program is an outgrowth of an expanding close relationship between South Kent and China. As Ms. Yao expressed, “There is interest on both sides in continuing the program in future years.”
How are U.S. students different from their Chinese counterparts? “The U.S. students are more likely to express their own ideas and are generally more open in class,” Ms. Yao says. In Shanghai, she says, her language students are very goal-oriented since they are studying English in preparation for difficult college entrance exams. Chinese students must perform well on these exams in order to go on to college.
South Kent Admissions Director Richard Brande and Head of School Andrew Vadnais were instrumental in initiating the teacher exchange program and other international programs at the school. Commenting on the Guang Ming exchange, Mr. Vadnais said, “We believe it is crucial that students have a global view, and programs like this teacher exchange bring an understanding of international issues home to South Kent.”
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