DaubertTeachesEnglishInChina

By Vangie Poggemiller

"China is one large English classroom," according to Dr Russ Daubert, who was recently named to Who's Who Among American College Professors In the summer of 1990 he had the opportunity to teach English behind the"bamboo curtain."

Dauberfs opportunity came through the English LanguageInstitute,China (ELIC),which is directed by Christians

"Thisis a California-based organization which has takenadvantageofthe factthattheChinesegovernment is desperatefor Englishteachers," he said. "English is thekey totheeconomic future ofChina, because itis the language of businesses,computers and technology. Rightnow the governmentdoesnot carewho you are as long asyou willteachEnglish."

Dauberthastakenadvantageof otheropportunities he has had to traveland see differentcountries In1987 hewentwithLightMinistriestoRomania Sincethen he hasmade two more tripsback - once toteach and oncelast summer with hisfamily.

He has also been to Haiti, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Daubertapplied to theELIC program withhopesof going during the summer of 1989 Because of his doctorate, theinstitutegladly accepted him and gave him thepositionofteam leader However, due tothe unrest in China and the attack on the students in Tiananmen Square, the teaching projects were cancelled.

After raising support during the summer of1990, Daubert flew to California for two weeks of intense training.Duringthistime,twentyteams,comprisedof tenpeople each, prepared fortheir mission.

When the training was complete, the teams,along withDaubert, flewto Beijing. Upon arrival they were given a tour of the city and well-known landmarks, while Chinese officialsfrom the Department ofForeign Affairs and Academics worked together toarrange their accommodations. Since Daubert was a teamleader,officialsallowed him to performadministrativedutiesforthegroup

He thenbegan his work teachingEnglishto Chinese teachers. Although thestudentsdid wellin grammar and writtenEnglish, their conversationalEnglish was weak.

"Thebest way to teachtheseChineseEnglishteachers how to speakEnglishwas by givingthem ataste of American culture," Daubert said. "We even had a mock American graduationfor the students, complete withmortarboards and all. Inturn, thestudents gave theteachersataste of Chinese cultureby having them participateinChinese ceremonies."

The Chinese people welcomed the ELIC teachers and gavethem the bestof treatment "Thepeople were open somewhat, butthegovernment still keptaclose watch over its citizens," Daubertsaid.

WhileDaubertwasthere,somestudentstalked about the protests. "It hadn't been a topic ofconversation, becausethe governmentdeniedthatithad happened," hesaid. "It was evident, however, that theoppression was fanning theflames ofrevivaland freedom."

The teams'goal was to "lettheirlightsshine" and hope that their ability to work together as loving brothersand sisters in Christwould be atestimonyto the students

Thesix weeksthatDaubertwas scheduled to stay in China were shortened when hebecame ill. One of his friends is currentlyin China withELIC aspartof their year-long program, and two Liberty students have followed in Daubert's footstepsby taking advantage oftheELIC program.

"I stronglyencourage anyone interested ingoingto China to do so," Daubert said. "It was atripI'll never forget."