加拿大实习老师来信：明德实习生活感受
作为明德中学国际部与加拿大曼省教育部的合作项目之一，加拿大温尼伯大学教育系三位实习老师在我校国际部完成了两个月的教学实习。她们三位一个月前已经回到了加拿大，开始了教学生涯。在明德中学实习和生活期间的经历给她们留下了深刻而美好的记忆。
其中一位实习老师Kristen Koshelanyk发来了她写的《My Experiences In China》。全文和译文如下：
My Experiences In China
我的中国之行
I am not sure where to start when speaking about my adventures in China. It was such a whirlwind of spectacular experiences, that I am not sure which to speak about as it feels as though they were all on the same level of greatness! I do think I should start though by commenting on Louis and Grace, who are not only in charge of the International Program and Department at Mingde Middle School, but who were also the most gracious and wonderful hosts we could ever dream of. These two people, along with many others, went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure we saw as much of Changsha and Hounan as we could in the short period of time we were visiting. Thank you so much for your guidance, hospitality, kindness, and caring.
谈起我这次的中国之行，一时间还不知从何说起。这次经历是如此的弥足珍贵和让人难忘。在此，我不知道怎样逐一感谢，所有的人们都是那么的可爱?；故谴覮ouis 和Grace说起吧，在我看来，他们不仅仅是明德中学国际交流部负责接待我们的老师，也是我遇见过最亲切、最热情和最棒的东道主，这是我不曾想到的。Louis 和 Grace以及其他的工作人员利用他们的私人时间让我们在这短短的两个月里领略了长沙风土人情和湖南一些城市的名胜古迹。在此，我对于他们热情、友好的招待和无微不至的照顾表示深深地感谢。
When I arrived at Mingde, I was instantly blown away by the magnitude of the school and campus. I knew it was large, but gi-normous is a much better description. It was very clear as soon as we had settled, that Mingde is a very prestigious school where students are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to attend. This instantly made me feel special as I had been given the wonderful chance to come and not only teach, but learn as well. Everyone who is affiliated with the school, from the Principal, Mr. Fan, to the kitchen staff and their children, and especially the partner teachers, were immediately welcoming, and by the end of our trip it was very clear that every single one of them are exceptional human beings who have touched my life in one way or another.
当我第一次踏入明德校园的时候，就立刻被这所校园的规模震撼了，它不仅仅是大，用“雄伟壮丽”来描述它的更为贴切。我觉得学生们能有机会在这样一所名校中学习是十分幸运的，同时我也感到这次的实习机会是非常难得的，它对于我来说不仅仅是作为老师来交流教学，也是一次学习机会。明德中学所有教职员工，从尊敬的范校长到食堂的工作人员尤其是合作的老师都对我们表示了热烈的欢迎。两个月后，在我们实习之行结束之时，我深深地感到，这里的每一个人都可以说是我生命中所接触过的十分优秀的人之一。
Teaching the students of Mingde was an experience like no other that will be with me everyday, not only through my teaching career, but my life. I was terribly nervous about a number of aspects before we began teaching. First there was the fact that there would be 60-80 students in a classroom. I am used of 30 max! Then there was the fact that I had no idea how the teachers would teach in China and if my style would work with the students. Lastly there was that little bitty problem of the language barrier. As it turns out though, I was worried about nothing. I was extremely pleased and relieved to see that the teachers taught in similar styles and used similar methods in their classrooms, which made the transition into teaching at Mingde quite smooth. The other factor that made it such and easy transition was the fact that the students were so excited to see us and soak up every little thing we had to say! Although I saw and experienced many fantastic things in China, I have to say that the teaching was one of the best parts. The students and the staff of the school really made is a special experience. From opening up their office or letting us observe their classes, to taking us out on the town, the teachers were really top-notch. The students also went out of their way by inviting us to their newly formed English Club and taking us out to the park for a BBQ party or using their little bit of free time to come and speak with us and try to teach us what little bit of their language, we were able to learn. I cannot say enough about everyone at Mingde.
在明德的教学经历是独一无二的，是我以往的教学生涯和生活都未曾体验过的。刚开始在这里教课的时候我非常紧张：首先，这里的一个教室里有60到80个学生，可我教过的最多才30个！其次，我不知道该怎么去教中国的学生，也不知道他们能否适应我的教学方式。最后，我还担心会有语言上的障碍?？珊罄凑嬲巧峡问保曳⑾种拔业哪切┑Ｐ耐耆嵌嘤嗟?。这里老师的教学方式和风格和我的没有太大的差别，我们的教学过渡得很顺利，这让我感到非常高兴，也松了口气。学生们都非常不错，认真听取我们所说的每一句话，并完成好所安排的每一个任务。尽管我在中国也经历了其他很多很有意思的的事情，但是我不得不说的是，在明德教学的这一段经历是最棒的一部分！这段日子，对于我们双方来说都是一次特别的经历，我们相处得十分融洽。我们一起布置办公室，研习课程，共同努力。明德的学生很热情，他们邀请我们参加新成立的英语俱乐部，去公园烧烤?？斡嗍?，不少同学利用他们仅有的一点休息时间过来用英语和我们交流，还试着教我们一些中文。这些学生们是那么的可爱，我们之间的趣事，一下子还真说不完。
I have to say that I am truly proud that I had a chance to be a part of the initiation phase of the International Program that will soon be up and running at Mingde School. I think the program is wonderful and smart, in every aspect, from the heavy focus on English for two years, to the opportunity to study in Canada. I think the building that will house not only the students and their classrooms, but the teachers for the program is beautiful and more than anything a student or a teacher could ask for. I had the opportunity to stay in one the apartments and I have to say that it was more than I could have ever asked for. Once the program is up and running it is my understanding that there will be a reading type room where students can read different types of texts and literature written in English, from all over the world. The people behind this program truly have a ton a passion and I have no doubt that the program will be a huge success.
有机会作为明德中学国际交流部即将开学之前的首批交流老师，我感到十分的骄傲和荣幸。我认为国际交流生项目是很有前景并且可取的，学生在国际部学习的两年，在完成各科学习任务的情况下，重点在于提升英语能力，为两年后作为交流生去加拿大做准备。我认为国际部不仅仅是给学生提供学习的教室，同时也给学生和老师提供了很好的成长和工作环境。在实习期间我所居住地套间有着舒适的居住环境。据我了解，在国际部开学之后，会单独开设一件阅读室，让学生们可以自由的阅读来自世界各地各式各样的英文原版书籍和著名文学作品。所有参与“加拿大交流生项目”的工作人员都怀着无限的工作热情和坚定的信念，我相信，它一定会取得巨大的成功。
When it comes to my experiences outside of Mingde, well those are a whole other story. I think the thing I was most looking forward to about China was the food. The food was also my biggest fear, as I knew in advance that the food in Hounan was some of the spiciest in China. My chronic heartburn and spicy do not get along, so I was really nervous! Turns out that the food was on of the most spectacular parts of the trip and I am proud to say that I never once suffered from heartburn. It was amazing. I tried a few different types of food that I would never even think of trying like turtle and snake and as it turns out, they were better than I expected and I would probably try it again…well only if I go back to China. Of all the foods I tried in Changsha, my favourite had to be the lettuce root and the smelly tofu, and I don’t like tofu! I promise that I will be back to China for the food alone!
当提到我在教学经历之外的一些感受，那还真有不少故事。当初最让我期盼事就是领略中国的美食，但也是我最担心的事情。据我所知，湖南菜在中国是以辣著称的。由于我有慢性的胃病，不是很能吃辣，所以我有点担心。结果此次的中国之行最让我惊讶的就是，在湖南吃辣时我从未出现胃灼热的现象，实在是太神奇了。主人们招待我我吃了许多美食佳肴，有些甚至是我不曾见过的，比如说小甲鱼和蛇肉，它们比我想象中的美味多了，让我回味无穷，期盼下次来中国能再大吃一次。在长沙特色菜里，我最喜欢的要数莴苣头和臭豆腐了，但我本身不是很喜欢吃豆腐。我想我一定会再次回到中国来的，仅仅因为这些让人垂涎欲滴，欲罢不能的人间美食！
While in China, we went on many outings and excursions. Some of my favourite places would have to be Taiping Street for the shopping and the night life. If I lived in Changsha, Taiping is somewhere I could see myself hanging out a lot. Another of my favourite places was our weekend trip to Zhangjiajie. The spectacle that was those beautiful mountains will forever be burned in my mind. China truly is a beautiful place. One of the coolest and most authentic experiences we had was when we went to the country to Lillian, Louis’s wife’s, sisters house for diner. The kitchen was this traditional Chinese kitchen and the food was to die for! Gosh, we had so many wonderful experiences in China. The practice with the Bejing Opera members is another that was totally awesome. The Zoo, Yuelu Mountain and the 1000 Year Academy were also all up there on my list of great things I did in China. All around a spectacular trip.
在中国的这段日子里，我们也一起外出逛街和短途旅行。我尤为喜欢在充满古代文化色彩的太平街上购物和享受长沙星城绚丽的夜生活。我想如果我居住在长沙，太平街将是我最喜欢去的地方。另外，周末我们去的张家界也是我的最爱之一，那里的奇观和美丽的风景让我久久不能忘怀。中国实在是太美了。最好玩的事情是Louis’s带我们去他夫人的姐姐家吃晚饭。古老传统的中式厨房和待烹饪的食物，让我大开眼界。在他们的带领下，我们领略了中国歌剧京剧的风采，还穿上了戏服感受了一回，实在是太棒了。动物园，岳麓山和千年学府岳麓书院也是值得回味的地方。所有的这一切经历组成了我难忘的中国之行。
It is funny, because before my visit, I never would have seen myself picking China as a place to vacation, and now, after all of the wonderful experiences, I can’t wait to go back and take my family. The people are some of the friendliest and most welcoming I have ever met, and the culture, so rich with history and so alive with colour, has left a stain on my life that I hope will never ever wash out. Thank you for that and see you soon!
对于我来说很有趣的是，在来到中国之前，我从没想过会选择她作为我度假的地方。但现在，在我拥有了无数美好的回忆之后，我已经迫不及待地想回去带我的家人来中国。中国人民是我见过的最友善最好客的人民，这里深厚的文化底蕴和多姿多彩生活，给我留下了深刻而美好的印象，感谢你们，并希望能尽快地再次见到你们！
