Two Expatriate English Instructors in China: Their Experiences, and Perspectives of Local Students and Teachers

Abstract

This study explores how two expat English writing instructors in Chinese universities teach and reflect on their role, as well as how their students, colleagues, and administrators perceive the role and teaching of the two expats. Findings illustrate that both expats worked hard to teach the English academic writing style they were familiar with. One (Allan) did so by adopting a “Chinese style” of lecturing and the other (Barbra) did so by focusing on process-oriented writing activities. Students, however, complained about a lack of interaction in Allan’s classes and a planned curriculum in Barbra’s classes. The Chinese professors believed that the expat teachers, without knowing students’ needs for a combination of systematic knowledge learning and interactive classroom teaching, are disadvantaged over the local Chinese teachers. The study, by illustrating how the local and expat participants are “otherized,” suggests that the two parties should exchange views to discuss better practice and to avoid stereotyping.