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Tiger's User Profile

Date registered: Tuesday, 4th March 2008
Region: China

Latest Comments

  • Yunnan's universities underperforming nationally, regionally
    Tuesday, 12th January 2010
    Many teachers, both Chinese and foreign, who are aware of this report will make it a subject of comment today. Of course, the greatest contributing factor for these results is financial which results in an energy spiral strengthened by the attraction of foreign experts and, thus, the best students. Therefore, in a way, it goes without saying that the Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing universities will lead the pack.

    Having spent my extended China teaching time equally in Chengdu and Kunming, I am aware of some contributing factors that Liu Shaohuai ignores. Obviously, as a diligent political member of the Party, it is unlikely that his education has concentrated on much more than propaganda and, thus, some very good teachers at Yunnan University (known to me personally) who are not active Party members are given little attention.

    I remember meeting a Chinese senior English-language teacher who had been introduced, proudly, with a Ph.D. Upon enquiry, I learnt that her dissertation was about Ethnic Tourism. Is there a link between ethnic groups and language? Yes, but will this knowledge improve the teaching of language in Yunnan? Very little, in my opinion. There is also the memory of my first introduction to a Kunming university - My guide proudly telling me that 90% of the university's teachers had a bachelor degree. Seeking more information, I learnt that of the remaining 9% comprised those with masters and doctorates, but 1% (approximately) only had a college diploma. I understand that this is no longer the case.

    Yet, by comparison, I know of an elderly foreign tenured-professor from a top U.S. university, with two doctorates, who visits Kunming for six months every year - he teaches privately during his visit and has never been approached to assist with the university assessments that Mr. Liu seems to advocate.

    Finally, I should be interested to know why there is a 60 years-old age cut-off for useful foreign experts ... perhaps related but a whole new subject.
  • GoKunming New Year's Eve Preview
    Friday, 1st January 2010
    To Chapter One: I'm sorry if this sounds like a destroyer of a good party but if the purchase of six bottles of beer is rewarded with another two - a total of eight? Is this your responsible way to ensure a safe evening?
  • GoKunming Holiday Preview
    Thursday, 24th December 2009
    Ref.; Camel Bar.
    190 yuan/person, and 760 yuan for four. Now, that's what I call a special offer.
  • Kunming aims to eliminate anti-burglar cages
    Friday, 11th December 2009
    This is the best idea that Kunming authorities have ever come up with.
  • One billion yuan allocated for Dianchi Lake cleanup
    Tuesday, 17th March 2009
    Elsewhere this would be an unbelievable picture, but in China ....
    My focus in this article was; "controlling sources of pollution ...." Does this mean, slowing it down, diverting it to another lake, or some other useless idea. Will the authorities have real power to strongly penalize the corrupt polluters -- or are they relying on one billion yuan every year?
    I would surely love to be an auditor on the project.

Latest Forum Posts

    Posted: Sunday, 14th March 2010
    Posted in: Forums > Study > American English, British English...who cares?
    @jimsc: Your comments display an inability to sensibly discuss this subject, at the level that others are discussing it. Laotou's original comment has long passed and, where it may have been needed, has been explained in more detail. 'Cool' is now used to describe a piece of fashionable clothing - it originally described temperature.

    ToastMasters would welcome your attendance at their next meeting. :-)
    Posted: Monday, 1st February 2010
    Posted in: Forums > Travel Yunnan > Best hotels in kunming nearby yunnan university?
    Judy; why should we call you rather than the Grand Park directly - are you able to offer a discount that can't be refused?
    Posted: Sunday, 31st January 2010
    Posted in: Forums > Living in Kunming > Mouse/rat traps
    A friend brought some poisoned rice grains from Chengdu - you'd not want to leave them around (dangerous) but if they're available in Kunming, they'll work a treat. Rats just sit and laugh at traps but, for some great reason they love this rice. Rats dying everywhere instantly!

    You can bet that they're not available in Wallmart.

    BTW, I question the use of "small-scale". ;-)
    Posted: Sunday, 20th December 2009
    Posted in: Forums > Food & Drink > Lazy Lazy Bones
    Another branch? Does Lbones know about it??
    Posted: Saturday, 12th December 2009
    Posted in: Forums > Living in Kunming > Let's Remember Where We Are
    @Bad Boy: For what it's worth - All this month, I have been hundreds of miles away from Kunming ... being as diplomatic as possible. :-)
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