Shell in China

If Oprah were a TEFL volunteer in Peace Corps, what would she do? Start a book club, of course! And I figure, if it is good enough for the Queen of Talk, it is good enough for me. (I think the only difference between my book club and hers is that mine meant the purchase of eight books and hers guarantees the author a top spot on all of the national best-sellers lists!!)

The book club is one of my secondary projects this term. I selected eight students (all girls, but considering that 80% of my students are female, it does make some sense) to join and gave them each a copy of the book The Shadow Within by Jenine Wilson. We made a plan to meet every Thursday afternoon to get together and talk about the book. If the weather was cold we would meet in my sixth-floor apartment and when it was warm we would meet under a canopy of wisteria that grows near my place. Before the first meeting I was worried that it would turn into just a vocabulary session, where the girls asked questions about words they didn’t understand and I explained them. BORING!! My fears were quickly assuaged when the first get-together rapidly went from questions about words to questions about divorce in America. This is exactly what I was hoping for- to use the book as a conversation starter about the similarities and differences between our two cultures.

Over the course of the next five weeks, our conversations ranged from what high school is like in the States (the girls particularly liked to talk about dating and the institution that is senior prom) to whether they believe in ghosts or an afterlife. I loved sitting back and listening to the girls discuss these topics with each other and put their questions to me. Thursday afternoons quickly became something to which I looked forward!

All good things must come to an end though, including our book. This last Thursday we had one last meeting under the canopy of wisteria to wrap up our talks about the book. Then, to celebrate the completion of their first novel in English (quite an accomplishment for the girls!) Thad and I took them out to hotpot for dinner. Hotpot is a wonderful meal that is eaten around a large round table. In the middle of the table is a giant cauldron filled with a spicy soup (or if you are super wimpy like I am, a split pot that is half spicy and half mild). Under the table, a propane tank is used to fuel the heater that boils the soup. Once a boil is reached, plates of raw food are brought to the table and it is time to dig in! Using the soup in the center of the table to cook the food, everyone fills up on mutton, beef, shrimp, crab, lotus root, tofu, potatoes, etc. The list could go on forever!!

Dinner was great and I think the girls loved it. On the walk home from town they each came and individually thanked me for taking them to dinner and then the next day I also got emails from each of them thanking me again for the dinner and the weekly meetings. Most Peace Corps Volunteers are idealistic and join thinking that they are going to change the world. I know I did. On days where it feels like I am not making the difference I had hoped to, it is nice to have memories like Thursday’s to fall back on. I may not be saving the world, but I am having an impact on some students in rural Gansu, China. And that is why Thad and I teach both in America and in China- we know we make a difference. It might just be a young adult novel and a dinner, but the impact creates a ripple effect that will make a difference, hopefully, for generations to come.

“Those who can, do; those who can do magic, teach.” That is why Thad and I are proud Peace Corps China Volunteers!

The book club was a great idea. Glad to hear you plan to continue. the film night is also a great way to promote and provide experiences and exposure to English and encourage communication in English.

Hey, Michelle!! Thanks for finding me! Your blog looks amazing . . . I shall read it during my prep hour. ;) And thanks for the well wishes on the EKG; I'm getting it done today so hopefully all will turn out well!! Have a great day!
Peace,
Valerie

p.s. Have a great trip to Chengdu!! It sounds like quite the adventure. ;)