political spin

[Scoobyqueen]

One of my teachers always manages to put a political spin to essay

Edited April 15, 2013 at 08:18 PM by Scoobyqueen

[animal world]

The title of your thread made me laugh. If i were you, i would tell your teacher that you are apolitical and that discussing politics always turns you off. Instead, you simply cannot get enough to discuss China's rich history and culture. If your husband happens to work for the Government and in a somewhat sensitive position, that should give you pause to wonder whether someone hacked into your household's computers.

Alternatively, you might poke some fun at this habit of his and dish him up a vastly wild piece of fiction.

Is this teacher from Skype? I recall you mentioned this once in a thread and i wanted to ask you a question about this but couldn't find the thread anymore. Do you have a choice about the teachers who are available and how much input do you have as to the curriculum and appropriate books? If you have a lot of freedom in this respect, do you find the teachers well-prepared for your classes and interested in the subject material? Is the English of your teachers adequate to explain truly subtle issues to you in a satisfactory manner? I'm interested to know as i'm considering to take the Skype route too starting next year.

Also, how do you pay? I've had several accounts with Paypal but never had money in them as i never used them for anything. Within a month of opening another Paypal account i would get these emails saying that my account might have been broken into and i should take action. The action i always took was closing the account. So, i rather avoid Paypal.

Thanks!

[xianhua]

If this is via Skype, then your teacher probably enjoys the chance to talk on this level with a foreigner. They probably spend their average lesson reciting numbers or asking the way to the bank.

[xianhua]

After re-reading your post, the essay title part suggests that it isn't a Skype thing. Or maybe Skype teachers do set essays? Or maybe I just wanted to get past 111 posts, as it's considered unlucky to those of us with a knowledge of cricket.

[Erbse]

Alternatively, you might poke some fun at this habit of his and dish him up a vastly wild piece of fiction.

Could backfire. I'm talking from experience.

[Scoobyqueen]

If your husband happens to work for the Government and in a somewhat sensitive position, that should give you pause to wonder whether someone hacked into your household's computers.

maby

Or maybe Skype teachers do set essays?

Yes. I have a short essay to write every week.

[Meng Lelan]

Anyone got any ideas as to what might be the aim (if any)?

It doesn't seem common for Chinese teachers to seek out controversial conversation with a non-Chinese student. If his topic choices bothers you, then ask him questions about sex and that will bother him enough to change the 话题.

[anonymoose]

Some people are interested in politics and others aren't. Maybe he appreciates the opportunity to discuss politics with a foreigner, rather than just hearing the same old views over and over again.

In any case, none of us know your teacher, and anything we say can only be a guess at best.

[wushijiao]

Some people are interested in politics and others aren't. Maybe he appreciates the opportunity to discuss politics with a foreigner, rather than just hearing the same old views over and over again.

That would be my guess as well. These are all fairly popular topic in the Mainland.

[Daan]

Hmm, here in Taiwan at least it's bad form to discuss politics. I can't imagine that being any different on the mainland. Haha, I even recall asking some older Italians how they felt about Berlusconi's alleged corruption last summer. I probably shouldn't have done that...I think this is the same the world over, really.

[animal world]

Hmm, here in Taiwan at least it's bad form to discuss politics.

In many countries it's wise not to discuss either politics or religion with people you don't know well. Furthermore, many people have no problem criticizing the government of their own country to fellow-citizens but become defensive when foreigners do the same. It strikes me as a little odd and insensitive that a teacher would bring up time and time again politically-charged issues but there may be no sinister motives behind this habit.

[roddy]

Most likely he had a student once who kept on going on about politics, and now he thinks all foreigners like to talk about politics. But if you pm me his name I'll phone my friend in the police and find out.*

*this is a joke.

[mirgcire]

Scoobyqueen, can you ask him why he always chooses these topics? At this point it sounds like there are several of us interested in knowing the answer.

And how about just telling him what subjects you are interested in writing about? It seems if you are paying him you should have some say in the assignments.

Your topic makes me wonder if these are routine questions that high school and college students are required to write about. Not having attended a Chinese high school, I have no idea. Can any forum contributor shed light on this question?

[anonymoose]

Your topic makes me wonder if these are routine questions that high school and college students are required to write about. Not having attended a Chinese high school, I have no idea. Can any forum contributor shed light on this question?

It would be interesting if someone from the mainland could answer this question.

As I understand it, Chinese students have politics classes in which they learn theory, but have little scope to discuss these things critically.

[gato]

You can find some sample Chinese university exams at the links below. I've given you some rough translations.

http://www.eol.cn/2009gkst_8106/20090615/t20090615_384221_6.shtml

2009 Shanghai Gaokao Politics Exam

No. 38

Question:

Please explain how the National People's Congress system allows the people to be their own masters （当家作主）.

http://www.eol.cn/2009gkst_8106/20090615/t20090615_384221_9.shtml

2009 Shanghai Gaokao Politics Exam

No. 38

Sample Answer

The NPC is great. Very democratic, all thanks to the Chinese Communist Party. Blah, blah.

http://www.eol.cn/2008gkst_6571/20080609/t20080609_301800_4.shtml

2008 Jiangsu Province Gaokao Politics Exam

No. 36(B)

Question:

1. Some say that the American presidential election is a power game for the wealthy and a wealth game for the powerful. Please provide a concise analysis.

2. Please explain the real substance of the two-party system in the U.S. and why differences in their electoral platforms do not change the substance of the two parties.

http://www.eol.cn/2008gkst_6571/20080609/t20080609_301800_5.shtml

2008 Jiangsu Province Gaokao Politics Exam

No. 36(B)

Sample Answer

1. True. Blah, blah.

2. The U.S. two-party in substance is a political party system in the service of capitalism. Having elections helps to avoid extremism, but does not change the substance of the system. Blah, blah.

Edited October 28, 2009 at 02:33 PM by gato