What Does it Mean to be a Chinese Voluntary Teacher?

What Does it Mean to be a Chinese Voluntary Teacher?

By Annie

 

I had never and ever thought of being a Chinese voluntary teacher before. The famous movie star, the American dream, Forrest Gump once had a very famous saying "Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get." I just occasionally got a special one.

After returning to campus to pick up pen and book again, I was turned into a common college girl with simple, clean dress, big, heavy bag and no any make-up. I enjoyed my campus life as much as I can after experiencing such a long complicated and frustrated social life. In the middle of the first semester, the graduate office called on us to be the Chinese voluntary teacher. Most of us gave cold shoulder on it. But I enrolled my name with my good friend Ren who urged me to do it. Actually I didn’t consider too much at that time. I didn’t take it seriously either. After a competence test, I was surprised to be informed that I passed it. Indeed I did not do any preparation for it either in physical or in mental. Hence the journey of being a Voluntary teacher began.

Countless strict and boring training, tests came afterwards. I still remember when others enjoyed their first happy summer vocation, I had to be confined in the classroom to took part in several related trainings all day long from sunrise to sunset. I intended to give it up many times because the long-period training had influenced both my study and my spare time. But once determining to do something I will never give up easily that is my one of my credos. It is the credo provoked me to go forward.

Time fly fast. When starting the second year of my academic study, I put all my attention on thesis writing and job-seeking. I nearly forgot the issue if not receiving the call from the International Exchange Office. I was told to be listed to be the candidate of the voluntary teachers who will teach in Thailand and they asked me to consider it. After hesitating for a ‘long’ time within the rather short time they allowed us, I replied yes. During that suffering period, I consulted many people including my parents, friends, classmates and teachers on the matter. Most of them showed their disapprovals because I have to put off my graduation year. And it is well known that the job competition would be more intense as the time went on.

From the realistic point of view I knew clearly I should not go. While on the other hand I’d like to go out to seek more new and refreshing experience that is one of my lifelong dreams. It is hard for one to do something he really likes especially in nowadays. Another important reason for me to make the decision is I would like to do something for others, for the society and for the country. It is maybe a little bit high-sounding but it is true. Life is a long and hard journey. I would like to see more things even with the short-sight eyes and offer more help even with the strength not worth mentioning. Offering will bring you unexpected happiness and real calmness in your heart.

Once setting my feet on the land of Thailand I began to realize I had became a real teacher. I couldn’t see the familiar Chinese faces and hear the well-informed mother tongue any more. In Thai’s eyes I am a foreigner, a slim and traditional Chinese young girl, a girl came from the eastern mysterious country, China, a girl who will teach Chinese in Thailand and so on. While only I know that I mean far more than that. Language is just a tool used to communicate on the one hand while on the other hand language can even change one’s world view. Through the language-learning process I believed there will be more and more people learning Chinese culture and attracted by its charming beauty.

The life here just begins. No one can predict what will happen later. But for one thing I am sure I am doing what I like and doing something meaningful and wonderful.