reflections on second person

This week in my English corner I was discussing with the students, “If you could do anything you wanted, what would be your dream job?”

Now, one thing I’m learning about Chinese culture is that there seems to be little chance or space for imagination, without the practicality of money, their parent’s expectations or societies demands, seemingly getting in the way. As I sat there and talked with this group of eight students, I sensed there was a light that went off in each of them. Dim, yet still present. I knew this would be a challenge for them to articulate something that maybe they have never really discussed before. Here are the most beautiful answers I got from them:

“I would love to be a travel journalist”

“A farmer on an organic field.”

“An artist.”

“I want to be some one who judges food (a food critic)”

“I would absolutely love to be a Chinese art restorer.”


“An English teacher”

“A musician”

I think in Western society, a lot of these could be very well possible. In China, they are almost next to impossible for reasons that Western young people don’t even need to consider. After class, one of the students told me that it was really hard for her to express what she truly wanted or desired so candidly. Recently, in my classes I have noticed a trend in the way students express themselves.

I say, “Imagine you are a _______, what would you do?” Usually the answer comes in 1st person. Eg. I would/I could…etc.

In China, most students answer in 2nd person. “You would be able to/You can…” In class, I constantly find myself reminding them to say, “I.” This is no fault of their own, it is simple the Chinese way. Thinking of the group before thinking of themselves. I could talk until I’m blue in the face about this, but I’ve learned that I need to meet the students where they are at, and encourage them in what they are capable of doing. Also, I want to challenge them to develop their own thinking. Then again, I need to realize I’m not set out to change them, I first need to understand them, and understand myself.

I loved this English Corner the other night. The students and I somehow found a middle ground between each other. I love my job and the things I am caused to consider because of it.