Mutual understanding between peoples, and especially between young people in China andthe US, does not advance in an even-handed way. On the one hand, many young Chineseare very familiar with US pop culture, and recognize a lot of US icons such as brands anduniversities; on the other hand, most young Americans know little or nothing about China,and even have some absurd misunderstandings of Chinese culture.
Several years ago I was teaching Chinese at a private school in US. To make the lessonmore intriguing, I started to talk about pandas to the first grade students. I showed themfunny videos of pandas and told them that China is the hometown of this lovely creature. Iexplained why all humans should protect them, as their numbers are getting smaller andsmaller.
Then a little girl raised her hand and said "My Mom said Chinese people eat pandas; andthat's why they're becoming less and less."
Many years have passed by, yet I can still remember how shocked I was that day. I cameto that little girl's desk and gently told her: "Tell your Mommy that if it wasn't for theprotection of the Chinese people, there would be no pandas left in the world by now."
What I felt mostly strongly during my days as a Chinese teacher in the US, was that manyAmericans, adults and children, barely know anything about China. The less they know,the easier it is to create misunderstandings, prejudice, and even discrimination betweenthe peoples of the two countries. Some misunderstandings pass on generation bygeneration.
When I taught high school, the first thing I tried to figure out was how much my studentsknew about China. Many US high school students have no idea where China is; they do noteven know the name of the capital - some mistake it as Tokyo. I was asked whetherChinese people were still living like people in North Korea.
As a Chinese teacher, I always agree that the understanding of a culture is the base forlearning its language. I tell my students that they can only master a language once theyreally start to appreciate its culture. I do not want my students to know only about Chinesefood or Kungfu as Chinese culture. I hope they can feel and understand the culture moreclosely and comprehensively.
For example, when Spring Festival is coming, I tell my students why and how Chinesepeople go back home and gather with their families. I show them the Spring Festival Gala,as well scenes of the packed transport over the holiday period. When I teach studentsChinese characters about family, I explain to them why China has to control its population,and the problems that have resulted from it, like the age imbalance in the population.When I teach the theme of "life at school", I tell them how their peers in China prepare forthe Gaokao (College Entrance Examination).
I understand that not all the students who come to Chinese language class are going tomajor in Chinese in college - some of them may even not go to college. However, I alwayshope that students at my class understand more about China than others. Chineselanguage classes may not influence a lot people in the US, but I would still feel happierwhen there is no one left saying "Chinese people eat panda".
This article is edited and translated from 《“我妈妈说，中国人吃熊猫”》 ，source: ChinaYouth Daily
