After training, what should be expected for the first time to visit the school I’ll be working at?

Part of training in China is the expected moment of being in front of a group of kids with a bunch of Chinese adults watching you teach your new class right after training.  Rarely, but occasionally, you may visit the kindergarten you will be at before you are finished your training so it is best to prepare and get comfortable with the following advice:

There are two parts to this:

1. How to act when you first visit a kindergarten.
2. When you are doing your training, one of the main points is setting out a short 25-to-30 minute lesson that you can do with confidence.  Know what songs you think worked the best for you, remember how to do the conversation time and flashcards well, choose a game that works well for you and that you can do with confidence.  You will definitely learn more than this in training, but doing this as a minimum is important.

1. All your class materials should be prepared in advance, including flash cards, conversation card(s), speaker, etc. Double check that your speaker is fully charged and working well.  (We will give you a blue-tooth speaker to use and set up before hand).
2. Dress neatly and appropriately (not formal but also not jeans or a skirt, make sure your M.E.F. t-shirt/jacket is clean and not wrinkled). Light make-up is preferred for women, cleanly shaved is preferred for men.  It is best to stay away from perfume/cologne but deodorant is important especially for men.
3. After arriving in the kindergarten, make sure to smile and greet all staff brightly, including the Principal and Chinese teachers, as well as the students.  (if you pass by parents also smile and say hello)
4. Once in the classroom to do your lesson, talk to the Chinese teachers first, have all students sitting with chairs in a semi-circle, and ensure the Chinese teachers know that you may ask for their help during the class. Ensure that music is used properly.
5. Teach or greet in a loud, confident voice.
6. Demo class shouldn’t be too long, follow the M.E.F. 30-minute Format. (This is explained in the online training and should be reviewed well in training).  Format should include a very simple self-introduction.
7. During the introductions, be sure to introduce your name and country. While talking with them, you need to crouch down and keep their eye level.
8. Speak slowly in class (remember to break down repeating words in syllables, and get the class repeating well through the lesson), interact with all kids, especially those who perform well. For naughty kids, you must seek help from Chinese teacher.
9. The aim of the demo class is to leave all students thinking ‘I’m happy today, I want to see you again.’ Make sure you farewell students by giving each student a quick high five and encourage them to say goodbye and thank you. (if it is a large class you can do a running high-five around the half circle and get them to do a loud “thank you, see you” chant)
10. Then, go to the class teacher, say thank you and ask if there is anything else you could do or help with. Finally, pack up and leave smiling.

1. How to encourage a good relationship between student and teacher quickly?
   Lots of encouragement, give high-fives, laugh with the students, don’t be afraid to pat heads or shoulders (not inappropriate in Chinese culture). Encourage students to repeat well.
2.  If you forget the next teaching step, try to simply talk with students (get them up to do the actions and then a fun song), have a back-up game and at least three songs for the lesson, and try to recall what to do next. During a demo class, you shouldn’t need to ask a Chinese teacher what to do next, or look unsure.