This is a poignant and irreverent diary of the author's yearlong (2001-2) experience of teaching English to college students in Beijing, People's Republic of China. From the very first pages, the author draws you into his struggle with a culture worlds away from his comfort zone. The author's geneā¦
Letters from Peter's Students. The students react to tragic news.
Weeks 36-39. Peter finally gets a key to his classroom and teaches his students how to root for the home team.
Weeks 28-31. Peter attempts to describe authentic Chinese food and goes traveling with Wang Lu.
Weeks 24-27. The students find out Peter is writing a book. Peter's American friend, Martha, comes to visit and promptly has her backpack stolen.
Weeks 19-23. Peter teaches his students about April Fool's Day, tries to find tomato seeds, and discovers Italian food in China.
Weeks 14-18. Unexpectedly (for his students), Peter returns to Beijing from his US Christmas vacation.
Weeks 10-13. From teaching the Bible in an hour and a half to the 503 Bus.
Weeks 5-6. Peter throws away the textbook and begins to be a real teacher.