I am a teacher. As most of you know I have been a teacher for most of my adult life. I’ve taught across Asia (Ok, 2 Countries in Asia… ^_^! ) and coming back here to Canada I have noticed a complete reversal of attitude towards the English Language from my students, who are currently all from Asia. It came to me as a bit of a shock at first. but I have eased into it, and now think it is funny.

When I was in School, my French Teacher, monsieur Van Camp  refused to speak English in class. He felt it bad form, and I agree. My Spanish teacher spoke almost no Spanish in class and I cannot even remember her name let alone any Spanish. My Korean Teacher in Seoul, Kim JiHyun SeonSaengNin,  followed monsieur Van Camp’s Model and only spoke Korean. A teacher friend tried to teach me Mandarin, but did it through English. I’ll tell you My French and Korean are better than my Spanish and Mandarin.

When I lived in Korea, I taught ESL, or English as a Second Language. I had my own Kindergarten Class for a while (At 2 different schools), but for the most part I taught ESL. Being Caucasian it was expected of me. In the average Korean’s mind foreigners in Korea have 1 of 2 Jobs, Soldier, or ESL Teacher. I learned to speak Korean fairly well while I lived there, as I thought it was the right thing to do. Not once was I expected to speak Korean in a class, and in fact it would be considered bad technique to do so. I kept my ability hidden from my students, so they would feel the need to practice their English, and they agreed.

When I got married we moved to China, where I once again taught mostly ESL. Just like Korea I had periods of time teaching other things, like math, science, drama, P.E. Culture, but for over half of my time I taught ESL. again I tried to learn Mandarin, which I struggled with, but I was never asked to speak it in class. Again, bad form. Even if I understood, I would respond in English.

Now I have moved back to Canada, and my main job is not to teach ESL, but writing, and Homework Assistance. I have quite a few students who are frustrated that I don’t (or won’t) speak Chinese to them. I find it amusing. Yesterday was a good example. My Student “J” repeated at least 3 different times “Do you know<Insert Mandarin here>?” And it was always off topic things. Our topic of the day was cooking pancakes. and his questions ended up having to do with Pompeii and volcanoes.

Now outside of the classroom I have noticed the same thing, which is a bit more frustrating. My beautiful wife, has noticed it too. She has made friends with a few other Filipinas in our neighbourhood. And they can’t talk to me. Their husbands can’t talk to me. When they call our place and I answer the phone, they take over a minute and a half to realize they have the right phone number and ask for my wife.

I find it really funny and a bit annoying that people move to Canada but haven’t mentally left their home yet.