Rarefactions: by Andrés Melo Cousineau

Reflections: China-specific ESL Grammar Lesson Plan,

“Present Perfect”

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 LESSON PLAN: GRAMMAR POINT

PRESENT PERFECT

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Student name:            

Ying and friends. (She lives in Nanjing but exercises can be adapted to any city!)

Date:                          

October, 2019

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CLASS PROFILE:

Student information:

– L1 Chinese, Full-time students

– Learning English for a better future after graduation

– Wants to improve the ability to speak with foreigners when traveling

– Primarily wants to improve speaking and listening skills, but also have better IELTS/TOEFL  results

– Weaknesses: Listening, reluctance to try newly learned language, stubborn “Chinglish” habits

NOTE: SS stands for “student/students”.

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POTENTIAL CHINESE-SPECIFIC  CHALLENGES  OR LEARNING ISSUES:

1. Concerning word order in questions as some “wh-“ question words come at the END in Mandarin:

2. Concerning the lack of conjugation of verbs in Mandarin, and the non-existence of auxiliaries:

And in this regard, and specifically, regarding the present perfect, the difference between the use of 1)  過 / 过 (guò), and  2) 了 (le) for completed and not completed actions in the past.

Ex.

You saw the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” yesterday,

昨天我看卧虎藏龙了｡
Zuótiān wǒ kàn wò hǔ cáng lóng le.

vs.

Have already seen the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”

 我已经看过卧虎藏龙｡
Wǒ yǐjīng kàn guò wò hǔ cáng long.

3. Concerning intonation: Syllable-centred intonation instead of stress-focused intonation as in English and its use of thought groups and elements such as the schwa /Ə/. For example, wrong stress such as placing the stress on the auxiliary and not using, or not BEING ABLE TO HEAR contractions (“I have been there” vs. “I´ve BEEN there” vs. “I´d been there”). Learning grammar is very important, but using this grammar for COMMUNICATION even more so.

Concerning pronunciation of past participles using the /θ/ sound in verbs such as “think” and “thought”. Solution: show how to pronounce as we did together for number three and the “paper test” in a previous class.  Also, the pronunciation of multiple final consonants (clusters). Example: past participle of  “judge”, “judged”; “ask”, “asked”.

4. Coming from a “gaokao-centred” tradition of tests and perfection, helping the SS understand that learning a language is a very different process, especially as regards the speaking and listening skills. Helping the SS understand that making mistakes is part of the process and that perfect pronunciation is not our goal; though improvement in intonation is REALLY important. Learning relaxing and enjoying are of great importance in learning a language. Of course, passing exams such as IELTS and TOEFL are necessary steps, but there is no point in passing the test only to not be able to communicate once one goes to live abroad, for instance in Canada.

5. Consider the issue of “saving face” and understanding that one should be proud of taking risks in learning a language even if they do not always work! Tell your own stories of learning diverse languages. Communication is the goal. Focus on the idea that learning a language is changing yourself, your identity. It requires courage and it is admirable.

6. A broader understanding of education in terms of critical thinking and problem solving given the many complex realities China faces today in terms of the environment and many others. Idea defended in ewery single interview presented to work in China. The 2020 situation makes this even more indispensable.

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TOTAL CLASS TIME 120 min

OBJECTIVE:

Present the “Present Perfect” by focusing on speaking and listening skills. Will be presented not by  looking at ALL the complex forms of “Present perfect”, but focusing initially on its use for actions regarding an indefinite past (use of  “ever” and “before”, to be introduced). This reduction of options so as not to overwhelm the SS. Use of “for” and “since”, for actions that start in the past and continue in the present, to be introduced later. Use of “already” and “yet” and “just” will also be delayed. Use of “Present Perfect Progressive” to be introduced later.

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EMAILS CHINA CORONAVIRUS SITUATION

AND WORK OPPORTUNITY

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ACTUAL ORDER

EMAIL NUMBER FIVE

EMAIL NUMBER SIX

EMAIL NUMBER ONE

EMAIL NUMBER TWO

EMAIL NUMBER THREE

EMAIL NUMBER FOUR

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NUMBER FIVE

FEBRUARY 27th 

Hi xxxx,

Hope you and yours are continuing to do well under such serious circumstances.

Have monitored the situation in China constantly, and have seen the worldwide spread of the virus develop.

As always, though I could write a one-line email, I have taken the time to reflect on the situation and to share this reflection with you and those at xxxx. I write so because those dying daily in Wuhan must never be forgotten, nor must their horrendous deaths ever be in vain.

Truly the “golden period of containment”, the crucial period in which any viral spread can be contained, was lost in China. It is, without a doubt, the responsibility of China to understand the reasons why such a golden period was lost. Recognizing one’s most fundamental weaknesses is what great leaders do. Not the contrary. True leaders are proactive, not reactive. And, isn’t that what education is all about? Including education at xxxx?

In this regard, I must confess I cannot but marvel at the attitude by Chinese Officials here in Canada, and elsewhere, with regards to extending the visa entry date. Leaders understand that special circumstances require special reconsiderations, especially if the ¨leader¨ has been the primary cause of the disruption! One wonders whether anything will be learned.  Not to mention the Chinese Visa Centre’s words when they called me to inform of this decision. Will not repeat them! Unfortunately, the “Méi Bàn Fǎ” attitude, is extremely powerful.

Individuals in China have had to make the best of a horrendous situation. Such discipline in the face of adversity should surely make it possible for China to come together to find solutions to its most fundamental issues. As I mentioned repeatedly in all my interviews to work in China, China must move beyond education for the “Gaokao” and “IELTS-preparation” towards a kind of education that sees empathy and problem-solving as the core to a better future for all. If China does not continue to bridge the gap between its ¨haves and have-nots¨, among other things, this will not be the only epidemic.

Now, if you have seen my resume, it clearly shows that I had to stay indoors for about a period of 2 years as I could not walk and only slowly recovered though I was told I would never walk again in my life. 2 years! Wow. So I think I know a little bit about what the Chinese are going through right now. I learned a lot about illness and many other things. Hopefully, the Chinese will too.

As regards xxxx in particular, I must also confess that I am sorry to see this opportunity slowly disappearing on the horizon. Though I have nothing but good things to say for the efforts, you —xxxx—- and also xxxx and xxxx have gone through during these last few months  (I am very thankful and hope you never felt pressured by me in negative ways). I also wish Meten had proven to be more proactive and much less reactive. To think of critically tragic situations using the concepts and practices of normal situations only creates further disbalances. For instance, xxxx could have though of grater flexibility in its conditions. But that is not for me to say.

Of course, I am sure xxxx now has its own problems at ALL levels, even and perhaps more seriously, at the economic one.

Having said this, as I told you I would give you a final response towards the end of February or beginning of March,  I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that this visa entry will have to be lost with what all that implies for me at different levels. There are really no solid conditions to be able to begin a new project in a new country under these circumstances.

However, I will continue looking for the opportunity to teach in China as, I hope you have seen from my emails, China is of great concern for me as a teacher. Perhaps it will be through xxxx, of xxxx finds ways to make things possible, or perhaps through ISAC or even EF, or other institutions that may be interested in teachers like me who both respect China, but are completely against the “Méi Bàn Fǎ” way of life because it is founded upon a view of life as TRAGIC. Life and learning are not tragic, they are joyful and lead to profound happiness in oneself and others.

I myself have gained SO MUCH in the process already: 1) have improved my spoken Mandarin extensively, 2) have digitalized all my ESL exercises fully, 3) have completed several courses on blended education and started the creation of my own, 4) have truly learned about China beyond the facade, 5) have continued to improve in many crucial areas, and finally, 6) have shared what I learned in my period of illness with others who are going through difficult times themselves in health-related areas.

Finally, and please forgive me, I will quote Confucius. I have indeed worked hard to try to understand him and will try to continue to do so, and have also dedicated decades to reading and studying the greatest thinkers in the West a well.

Confucius said:

“2.15 The Master said, “If you learn without thinking about what you have learned, you will be lost. If you think without learning, however, you will fall into danger.”

2.16 The Master said, “Working from the wrong starting point will lead to nothing but harm.”

(Analects, Slingerland translation, and the very good course on Confucius: https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/books-that-matter-the-analects-of-confucius.html )

Let us hope we all learn to think and think to learn. And let us all work from the right starting points, especially if we have political, economic, material or managerial power. For what is the point of having all these if they cannot even avoid the most basic tragedies?

Thank you for the opportunity and let us hope a new one appears on the horizon so that a teacher like myself can one day visit China and humbly try to share the few things I have learned along the way.

Have a great day in China and please say hello to all at xxxx (xxxx, xxxx, xxxx).

Andrés

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