Actually, it's just the Chinese army, but hey, I needed a catchy title...
Military training is a topic included in Oral English class discussions because it is a topic with which all students are familiar and to which have they all have something to say. During the first two weeks of the fall semester, all incoming freshmen spend their days - not in class, but on the grass fields of Peizheng learning basic military skills including marching, calling cadence, and singing songs. In order to carry out this military training, two busloads of young soldiers arrived at Peizheng campus causing quite a stir. Their arrival initiated quick camera retrieval and paused glances from all in the area (including me).
In these class discussions when asked why they attend such training, most students will tell you it is to build the comradery. As former military, I agree with this determination and would suggest further that it is to build esprit de corps in their country. Chinese people are "trained" in all they do from the time they are small children and arrival at college does not end this training. The college years are formative years in which the government still likes to insert its hand in the molding of its young citizens. In these discussions, you learn that most students have had military training many times, usually upon arrival at first year of a new school, like middle school and high school.
What do the students think? They will all tell you they didn't like training because they had to get up early and because standing in the sun all day turns their skin "black." They mostly all find their instructors to be kind and supportive. And of course, all the girls are smitten with the many handsome instructors.
What do I think? Well, I'm a huge fan of discipline, comradery, and love of country. For young students coming to a new setting, providing a structured setting to build relationships and further cultivate their patriotism is beneficial.
Military training is a topic included in Oral English class discussions because it is a topic with which all students are familiar and to which have they all have something to say. During the first two weeks of the fall semester, all incoming freshmen spend their days - not in class, but on the grass fields of Peizheng learning basic military skills including marching, calling cadence, and singing songs. In order to carry out this military training, two busloads of young soldiers arrived at Peizheng campus causing quite a stir. Their arrival initiated quick camera retrieval and paused glances from all in the area (including me).
What do the students think? They will all tell you they didn't like training because they had to get up early and because standing in the sun all day turns their skin "black." They mostly all find their instructors to be kind and supportive. And of course, all the girls are smitten with the many handsome instructors.
What do I think? Well, I'm a huge fan of discipline, comradery, and love of country. For young students coming to a new setting, providing a structured setting to build relationships and further cultivate their patriotism is beneficial.
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