但今年很有些特别,当地的一所有名的中学第一年开设了Chinese for GCSE课程,他们很重视,因此决定除了有助理老师外,还要请一位有经验的老师来主讲,争取在4年后的GCSE考试中让学生出成绩。
在这,我想大概说一下英国的教育体系。孩子通常是3岁上幼儿园,4岁是学前教育,5岁上一年级。中学一般是11--16岁的孩子,即7年级到11年级。他们通常是12岁,8年级开始选学外语课。以前无非是学法语、德语、西班牙语、意大利语,或者冷门点的俄语、阿拉伯语,学中文的很少。随着中国经济的飞速发展,这两年学中文的人渐渐多起来。当学生完成了11年级的学习,要参加中学会考,也就是GCSE。这之后,学生一般分三个走向:一部份学生开始工作,就此走向社会。有一些接着在中学进入SIXTH FORM,再读两年课程,然后正式进入大学学习。一部份志向远大的学生会去读两年的A Level课程,这是进入排名前10位的英国大学的必由之路。还有一部份学生会去一些college,相当于中等职业教育学校,学一门手艺,找个挣钱的工作。若干年后他们想有更好的发展再去大学读书。
就这样,我来到了目前执教的中学当“小时工”老师。
头几天很不顺利,课堂纪律很乱。咱也教过外国孩子,对乱还是有“忍耐度”的。当我和自己的一个英国朋友讲到此事时,他觉得很不可思议。他说,在英国,本土的孩子选学中文的实在很少,一旦他们学中文,就说明他们是很有进取心的孩子,立志以后干一番事业的。这样的孩子怎么会这么淘气呢?
我也很想知道,既然他们这么执著地选择了学汉语,为什么又这样执著地跟我闹腾捏?竟管我前面已经有中文老师嫌这工作吃力不讨好放弃了,我还不想轻易放弃,我也执著。恩,这样执著究竟是为什么?!!
某日,孩子闹腾,我停了下来。
I don’t know why you choose Chinese class? Do you like Chinese? No one forces you guys to learn Chinese. You come to my class and you don’t pay attention, you waster your time. (你们为什么学中文,你们喜欢中文吗?没有人逼你们来学。你们来了,又不用心,你们在浪费自己的时间)。立刻有几个学生跟我道歉:Sorry, Sir.
我接着说,我给你们5分钟,每个人写下你们的话。Tell me what you think of Chinese class. What do you expect from Chinese class? You may leave your comments about my class, suggestions are also welcome. I will take it seriously (告诉我你觉得中文课应该是怎样的,你们希望从中文课上可以获得什么,也欢迎意见和建议。我会认真对待)。 以下是孩子们的话:
I want to learn Chinese because I would like to learn about the Chinese culture. I also want to learn Chinese so I can do Chinese GCSE and get a good job in future.(Carla-fay Furlong)
这是我班上最乖的女孩写的:我想学习中文因为我想了解中国文化。我想学中文还因为我可以在会考时考中文,将来可以找到好工作。
I would like to learn about the Chinese Buildings and cities.
I like Chinese and I want to learn it and learn more about China and their culture. I think Chinese is the best language to learn but also the hardest.
这孩子说中文是最好最该学的,但也是最难学的。(不傻呀,孩子。 )
In Chinese class I would like to learn Chinese because I will get a good job if I can speak in Chinese. I like Chinese very much.(Harry)
I want to learn Chinese because it’s very good. I want to a GCSE in Chinese because not a lot of people have them.
I want to learn Chinese because it is very good. And I want a GCSE in it.
I want to learn how to speak the Chinese language and write and read Chinese (Jack)
To learn Chinese and possibly learn with An GCSE or an A Level and eat the Chinese food.
这位想考中文(为外语的)会考,甚至ALEVEL也考中文,吃中餐。
In Chinese class I want to learn how to speak and write Chinese. So I can do well and get a GCSE. (Josh Blenkinsop)
这是我们班最乖目前成绩最好的学生的话:我想学说和写中文,这样会考时可以取得好成绩。
I want to learn Chinese because not many people in England speak it. I will also be able to get a good job if I could speak Chinese. Chinese is also better than French.
这位也机灵:在英国说中文的人不多,(我要会),将来可以有好工作。中文比法语更好。
I want to speak it/ Advantage/ GCSE/ Qualifacations to write in Chinese. (Dylan)
I want to learn Chinese so when I am older I speak Chinese & go there. I want a good GCSE and Chinese is good.
What I want from Chinese class is to learn Chinese culture and Chinese language. And to get a new experience from others and to learn what I am expected from others.
I would like times when we play games. You could bring in Chinese sweets for the winner. I would like to know about Chinese culture and have lessons where we watch Chinese cartoons.
这位天真可爱:我喜欢玩游戏。你也许可以拿些中国糖果到课堂上,奖励游戏获胜者。我想了解中国文化喜欢在中文课上看中国卡通片。
Chinese food. Explain things better. Have fun lessons. (Sam Newton)
最淘气的孩子言简意赅,写出了他的期望,列了三点:中国食物;更好地解释事情;有趣的课。
(为什么他觉得中文可以让他更好地把事情讲清楚呢?有机会咱得和他谈谈哈。)
现在,每天早上醒来的第一件事,我想:今天课堂上该玩什么游戏呢?什么样的游戏可以融入教学目标,着重语言点,让这些小子们又高兴了还学到东西了?