One-on-One with the New Mandarin Teacher: Li Ning

Continuing the work of the growing Mandarin program, Chariho High School is fortunate to welcome a new Mandarin teacher, Mr. Li. He is from Jiaohe, located in the northern part of China. There, he taught students from kindergarten to ninth grade at Nanganzi School.

Mr. Li was one of the few teachers selected by the Teachers of Critical Language Program (TCLP), to teach Chinese for one year in the United States. The U.S. Department of State funded the program and was organized by the American Council. Mr. Li arrived in Washington, D.C on July 30th where he received training in American law, class management, and cultural differences for one week.

Thinking it was a good idea and seeing student interest in learning Chinese, Chariho High School's principal, Mr. Mackenzie, applied for the program. TCLP assigned Mr. Li to Chariho High School and on the last day of training, Mr. Pecoraro, the head of the language department, picked Mr. Li up from Washington.

This marks the second year Chariho High School will have a Chinese program and the school is planning to expand the program. They are thinking of extending it to the middle school and elementary school, Mr. Pecoraro said. Mr. Li added that having a Chinese Program is uncommon in Rhode Island.

Mr. Li said, "To have a Chinese Program... there are many steps, so it's very rare to have a Chinese Program. For Chariho to have such a big Chinese program, I really respect the administration."

Like any other foreigner, Mr. Li experienced some cultural differences. He first noticed the difference in the environment, specifically its cleanliness.

"When Mr. Pecoraro showed me Cranston and the ocean. There were no plastic bags. There's none," he said. According to Mr. Li, The reason for the environment for being clean is not the fine for littering, but because "people care about their environment." Mr. Li describes that in his area, when people walk their dogs, most people don't clean up the "treasures." Here, people pick up their dog's "treasures."

"I really respect people here; they are taking care of the environment," he said.

Another cultural difference: cooking and food. He said, "In China, a rice cooker is a must. Here, an oven is a must...In China, an oven is optional; It is a huge cooking difference."

As for food, Mr. Li enjoys it. When Mr. Pecoraro cooked him breakfast that consist of bacon, toast, and coffee, Mr. Li commented that, “It was very good” and that Mr. Pecoraro's coffee is "better than Starbucks."

Mr. Li's understanding of American culture is that everyone is independent. "People rely on themselves. People have their car. Their own space. Their freedom. That's the concept here. In China, the concept is efficiency. On the train, it's crowded, but it's cheaper. It's efficient."

Mr. Li has no problems adapting to his new environment since he has the help of Mr. Pecoraro and other colleagues. Ms. Wang, a former Chinese teacher, helps Mr. Li by giving him tips on how to survive in the U.S via WeChat.

As for Mr. Li’s hobbies, he enjoys walking, motorbiking, and being outside. He especially likes to travel. This is Mr. Li's first time in the U.S. and he wants to travel to the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as the Grand Canyon during his stay.

Like most people living in a new environment, Mr. Li also has some few struggles. The biggest challenge he is experiencing so far is class management. Students are talking over him, making it hard to teach. Mr. Li talks to other teachers to find a solution to this problem.

Mr. Li ended the interview with a thank you to Ms. Wang. He said, "Because of her work, there are more students interested in learning Chinese. I am here because of her work."

This year, 42 students are taking Chinese, compared to last year, which only has 15 students taking the program. Let’s welcome our new Chinese teacher, Mr. Li, and make his year teaching in Chariho High School memorable!