This practice is mostly used by Chinese English teachers. Most foreign teachers wouldn't recommend for multiple reasons.
I worked for a school like that, some time and some Chinese English teachers used this method to approach 'a foreign learning experience'.
Whenever somebody tries to do push a talk onto you, just talk on the same level you would talk to your buddies....then the student trying to chat with you will leave very soon. If the kid is good enough then I usually enjoy the conversation.
This practice is mostly used by Chinese English teachers. Most foreign teachers wouldn't recommend for multiple reasons.
I worked for a school like that, some time and some Chinese English teachers used this method to approach 'a foreign learning experience'.
Whenever somebody tries to do push a talk onto you, just talk on the same level you would talk to your buddies....then the student trying to chat with you will leave very soon. If the kid is good enough then I usually enjoy the conversation.
I wonder what would happen if the situation were reveresed, say a British child being told by their teacher to "chat to a Chinese tourist" for their speaking homework? I suspect that (a) the Chinese person would be surprised and delighted to meet and chat to a foreign child learning their language, and (b) the teacher would get written warning from their Headteacher. Different cultures all round.
I've observed foreign tourists in Kunming being delighted to have a conversation with a schoolchild. It's a novelty and gives the feeling that one is getting a taste of contemporary culture. For people who actually live here, it gets grating—as it probably would for a Chinese person living in the UK and being approached on a near-daily basis.
Those kids also have a real penchant for disrupting conversations without waiting for a natural pause and interrupting people who are clearly absorbed in work or reading.
@Dan
Has anyone here EVER politely interrupted you?
As a teacher, I would never ask my students to do that because they are always talking to me, a foreigner; besides it could be unsafe. However, each time I was approached by a group like what you are describing, there was a parent together with the students therefore the safety issue is a mute point.
For these Chinese English teachers, they and their class do not have any opportunity to chat with a native English speaker. Besides, the teachers are not only not interested in chatting, but also do not have the ability, confidence or skills. Without real contact and conversation in English with a native speaker, the students only learn how to read and write in English - without there is no a real chance for students to learn to have a conversation.
Besides that, there is the obvious purpose to give the students more confidence to use their English skills and for that, I do applaud the teachers!
So if you don't like having your photo taken, and you don't like having a conversation with them, then don't. But honestly, don't be a whining, complaining LaoWai! Just refuse and be done with it!
this way of teaching english is just bullshit, kids come to the laowai reciting the same lines "Hello, my name is...my favourite food is..." there is no difference in telling some chinese poems or that. I think teachers are pushing this method cos families are obsessed by the idea that their kids will grow up without self confidence in general. In the subway of big cities I've seen kids accompanied by their parents performing some kind of show, mostly reciting words. Parents look proud but probably because they feel being in a talent show more than caring about their children creativity.
dear misfit, I hear you loud and clear but this is China and they are trying to change their thousands of centuries old system of education. Right now the system is rooted in repetition and memorization. Western education focuses on higher level thinking towards creative and critical thinking, not just memorizing.
We know and they are starting to understand that focusing on rote learning doesn't work. And it kills creativity. But if you try to turn an ocean liner on a dime it will capsize. Same with Chinese education. Change takes time.
@tigertiger Of course I have. I've met any number of very polite and gracious locals. These kids just tend to be a different story. They're under pressure from their teachers and parents and nervous to talk to a stranger, so they tend to burst in without considering the situation.
