Thank goodness! The English are teaching precise, well-enunciated British-accented English in Shanghai -- not the other speech that has become so popular in China nowadays.
Daniel Lewis, from South Wales, has a perfect and very proper British accent -- and correct grammar and syntax. So does Farah Lodhi from Birmingham, England. That's crucial.
And both had high marks in university, volunteer experience, an open mind, interest in other cultures and a longing to visit China.
The British Council did the rest. Now they're among 82 Britons teaching in China this year -- teaching the King's English, standard, well-enunciated English - certainly not the variant of the language that has become so popular these days.
The teachers are part of the council's "English Teacher in China" project. The requirements? Speaking "authentic" British English, excellent performance at university, volunteer experience and an open mind, says Project Officer Li Fei from the Culture and Education Section of the British Consulate General in Shanghai.
Lewis, 22, Lodhi, 23, and 13 others are teaching in Shanghai, another eight are in Suzhou and the remainder in other cities.
Last weekend the British Council gave a lecture for Chinese students on British English. They described distinctions with accents found in different parts of Great Britain -- England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They also discussed accents including American English and other variants of the universal language. And, of course, the famous differences in words and spellings between British and American English--"rubbish bin" and "trash can," "lift" and "elevator," "lorry" and "truck," "theatre" and "theater."
English, whether it be British or American, is increasingly popular in China and good teachers are in high demand. "The volunteers are lively and fabulous young people," says Li. Many choose to stay beyond their required one year, she adds. Most newcomers also study Mandarin to help them understand the culture.
Lewis, who also taught in Spain, teaches English and Spanish at Jianping High School in Pudong. Lodhi teaches at the Changzheng Middle School in Putuo District.
"China has always been a country that intrigues me. The culture is one of the main reasons I came here. I've also been interested in the language," says Lewis, who's keen on traditional festivals and looks forward to celebrating Chinese New Year.
Before teaching in China, Lewis taught English for the British Council in Spain -- he also speaks Spanish. He's benefited greatly from his experience of living in foreign countries and says those who can adapt themselves to new environments find it easier to get postings.
"It would be very important for anybody coming to China to be able to adapt well because of culture shock," says Lewis. Before arriving, Lewis thought China hadn't developed as much as some countries in the West. But one look at the Shanghai skyline showed him how wrong he was.
"I love the way 'old' meets 'new' in Shanghai and this is what surprises me most. They live side by side and old traditions are still very much alive despite the ever-growing modern skyline," he says.
Lewis says his New Year's resolution is to improve his table tennis. Although Jianping High School's faculty is impressed by his skills, he says he needs to practice. Lewis says his students are "certainly more disciplined and well-behaved" than others he has taught. "They've made every effort to make me feel at home," he says.
Lodhi, who majored in English literature, had been interested in China from her reading and studies but she learned about Shanghai through the Lonely Planet guidebook. "I was surprised that each time I turned the page, each picture told a different story," says the Reading University graduate.
She knew she had to see, smell and explore the amazing city herself. "I wanted to teach here because the city has a lot to offer, like Chinese culture that preserves its tradition but changes constantly," she explains. Lodhi says she's glad to be back in school this time with goals besides getting her own degree. "I hope my students are learning something and also having a good time by being active and involved," she says.
"The students are eager to learn and communicate with people from a different place. I'm not only teaching but also sharing my knowledge and experience. I enjoy the atmosphere," she adds.
For Lodhi, cultural differences show up all the time. "Right after I arrived here I felt hungry when wandering around and walked into a side street off Jin Mao Tower in Pudong. Mixed with the heavy, hot air was the smell of the most delicious food. At that point I realized I was somewhere quite different and far from home. 'This year is going to be extraordinary,' I said to myself."
Lodhi is now used to the crowded metro line. "I'm here to learn the language, experience the culture. Now when I talk to my mum over the phone I'll say 'eng' instead of 'yes' though it has only been five months since I came to this wonderful land," she said.
Shanghai is rich in sights, sounds and smells. For the young woman this bustling city seems like a maze. Through her adventures Lodhi says she's encountered a fashion designer and an artist and fallen in love with street food especially on Wujiang Road.
Lodhi says her parents will visit in February. They want to see the Great Wall so they'll visit Beijing first. "I've also promised my mother a lot of relaxing time in the gardens of Suzhou," she says.
All British Council China volunteers are invited to a reunion late this month in Shanghai. Lewis and Lodhi will be there to share their Shanghai tales.
(Shanghai Daily January 4, 2007)
