TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Dear Students and Friends:
(September 2009)
During my first term at Kunming Medical University
(fall 2007), I taught 93 graduate students
who enjoyed the lessons so much that the Dean approved a new spring
English course. The next fall, I had about
120 students, meeting together for a two-hour "lecture/presentation"
session, and then in groups of about 24 for continued lessons. We will
follow the same pattern this year (fall 2009). In the spring (both in 08 and 09), I also taught three classes of
undergraduates. Most of these students were keen to learn English, and
they showered my family with signs of their appreciation. At first, some
were quite afraid to open their mouths (many had never had a foreign
teacher before), but I enjoyed watching them gain both confidence and
competence.
Now my third year at KMU
has begun, and my classes have moved to the new campus in Cheng Gong
(about 1.25 hours from Kunming). I have 125 grad students, and again I see new students who have difficulty understanding me
and who lack confidence (especially when speaking in front of others), but
I know this will change as the weeks go by. I work hard to give them things to talk about,
and the chance (or excuse) to open their mouths, and I love watching the
transformation as fear decreases and competence grows.
In addition to teaching (this is my ninth year
year of teaching in China), I spend time developing English study
materials, and I occasionally add to my own ability to use Chinese. I have
formally studied Chinese for three years (at Xiamen
University,
Yunnan Normal University and Kunming College). I
also invested five years writing Successful
Writing for the Real World, an advanced writing textbook for use in
China (published March 2008 by Foreign
Language Teaching and Research Press; you can find out
more about the book by clicking here). Once the book was
finally done, I resumed the daunting task of attending to the 150+ pages of
this website (which still suffers from years of neglect).
If you are new to krigline.com, look around.
There is plenty to see, even if some parts are still out of date! For
example, I have a page listing many of the resources available for students and
teachers. On the
left of the Student Connections page (this page), my current students (or
any English-learner) can find links to helpful resources.
You might also look at our
articles index or
FAQ
section (Frequently Asked Questions). Our photo
album is also popular. The site map has a
handy list of most pages.
If you are in Kunming and want to hear about
special opportunities to use English, please write to us (see below).
People often ask what I do in my spare time. I
usually say "grade papers or prepare for class!" When I have
spare time (which isn't often), I enjoy watching movies with my family, playing the guitar,
and working on this website. Unfortunately, I do not have time for
private students or time to edit things written outside of my class
requirements. (Click to see more "frequently asked
questions.")
Another question people often ask is: "How can I improve my
English?" My usual answer is “USE your English as much as
possible!” (Click here for a longer answer!) Reading is very helpful, and if you want to write better,
then write (my textbook can also help)! There are English Corners all over China, so take advantage of
them. I also have Chinese friends (with great English) who says their secret is watching
movies! Do whatever works for you, but your English won’t get
better unless you DO something!
To help, I have provided a "learner
links page"
just for students, and my former students have written
descriptions for a number of their favorite
English-leaning websites. I’ve also posted my own
Study Guide. In addition, you can find good
examples of short
student essays; check them out! On our
"resources" page, a friend and former colleague shares some more
advice in his "English Corner
tip of the month."
Do
you know about other helpful English- or Chinese-language learning
websites? Please tell me about them! Also visit my website often to see
what's new!
Michael
Krigline, M.A.
Kunming Medical University
(September 2009)
Our email address is on the
Home page.
