Selah Yearbook 1991-92

Daubert Teaches English In China

By Vangie Poggemiller "China is one large English classroom," according to Dr. Russ Daubert, w h o w a s recently n a m e d to Who's W h o A m o n g American College Professors. In the summer of 1990 he had the opportunity to teach English behind the "bamboo curtain."

Dauberf s opportunity came through the English Language Institute, China (ELIC), which is directed by Christians.

"This is a California-based organization which has taken advantage of the fact that the Chinese government is desperate for English teachers," he said. "English is the key to the economic future of China, because it is the language of businesses, computers and technology. Right n o w the government does not care w h o you are as long as you will teach English."

Daubert has taken advantage of other opportunities he has had to travel and see different countries. In 1987 he went with Light Ministries to Romania. Since then he has m a d e two more trips back - once to teach and once last s u m m e r with his family.

H e has also been to Haiti, H o n g K o n g and the Philippines.

Daubert applied to the ELIC program with hopes of going during the s u m m e r of 1989. Because of his doctorate, the institute gladly accepted him and gave him the position of team leader. However, due to the unrest in China and the attack on the students in Tiananmen Square, the teaching projects were cancelled.

After raising support during the s u m m e r of 1990, The Chinese people welcomed the ELIC teachers Daubert flew to California for two weeks of intense training. During this time, twenty teams, comprised of and gave them the best of treatment. "The people were open somewhat, but the government still kept a close ten people each, prepared for their mission.

W h e n the training w a s complete, the teams, along watch over its citizens," Daubert said.

While Daubert was there, some students talked about with Daubert, flew to Beijing. U p o n arrival they were the protests. "It hadn't been a topic of conversation, given a tour of the city and well-known landmarks, while Chinese officials from the Department of For- because the government denied that it had happened," eign Affairs and Academics worked together to ar- he said. "It was evident, however, that the oppression range their accommodations. Since Daubert was a was fanning the flames of revival and freedom."

The teams' goal was to "let their lights shine" and team leader, officials allowed him to perform adminishope that their ability to work together as loving trative duties for the group.

H e then began his work teaching English to Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ would be a testimony to teachers. Although the students did well in grammar the students.

The six weeks that Daubert was scheduled to stay in and written English, their conversational English was China were shortened w h e n he became ill. O n e of his weak.

"The best w a y to teach these Chinese English teach- friends is currently in China with ELIC as part of their ers h o w to speak English w a s by giving them a taste of year-long program, and two Liberty students have American culture," Daubert said. " W e even had a followed in Daubert's footsteps by taking advantage mock American graduation for the students, complete of the ELIC program.

"I strongly encourage anyone interested in going to with mortar boards and all. In turn, the students gave the teachers a taste of Chinese culture by having them China to do so," Daubert said. "It was a trip I'll never forget." participate in Chinese ceremonies."