Chinese Guest Teachers Summer Institute The College Board + Hanban – July 2012

Cross-cultural Dialogues

Explanations [Ms. Wright is the school administrator and Miss Chung is the Chinese Guest Teacher.] Ms. Wright: Miss Chung. What can I do for you? Miss Chung: Excuse me. I need some help with this new photocopier machine. Ms. Wright: Of course. Let me explain it again. Miss Chung: I asked Susan but she couldn’t help me. Ms. Wright: No, she hasn’t tried it yet. Miss Chung: It’s a little bit complicated. Ms. Wright: It’s very complicated, but after I explained it to you and asked you if you understood, you said yes. Miss Chung: Yes. Please excuse me. Cartoon Incident [Ms. Cooper is the assistant principal and Mr. Wong is the Chinese teacher.] Ms. Cooper: I heard that you showed the students a violent cartoon. That is not allowed in our district. Mr. Wong: Really? It’s just a popular Chinese myth. Ms. Cooper: Is there a scene in it about fighting or chopping people up? Mr. Wong: No, there isn’t a scene like that but there is a dialogue which mentions offering little kids into the rive to the dragon king. Ms. Cooper: Could you let me see the cartoon? Mr. Wong: Sure, here it is. Ms. Cooper: Can you change a little bit of the cultural background? Don’t tell the whole story, the part about kids being killed. Mr. Wong: (still confused) Well, okay if you think that would be better. Actually this cartoon is designed for children.