10.03.05


Carrie Rodeffer, second from right, spends much of her time with her students.

Overseas teacher becomes a pupil

When Carrie Rodeffer took part in a short-term "Camp China" program sponsored by English Language Institute China (ELIC) in the summer of 2001, she "fell in love" with the Chinese people and knew she wanted to return for a long-term teaching assignment.

The 2002 Erskine College graduate began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) with ELIC's University Teaching Program (UTP) in China in 2003. And with two years of teaching behind her, she wants to become a student again, playing the flip side of teaching ESL: learning her students' native language.

"After being here for two years I have come to the realization that learning the language well and teaching is difficult," she admits. "Since my main focus is teaching and time with my students, language learning falls behind."

So, Rodeffer is ready to take up the challenge of learning Chinese. "I will be a student this fall with ELIC’s Chinese Language Program in Northeast China," she said. "Since I want to serve long-term in China, I want to learn the language well so I can be better equipped to work among the people here."

Several aspects of Rodeffer's experience as an Erskine student helped to prepare her for teaching overseas. She served as a Student Life Assistant in the dorm, for example, which she believes "helped with relating to my students and working with a team."

Her course of study at Erskine was geared toward teaching. "Since I was an education major, that definitely helped prepare me for teaching in the classroom," she said.

Rodeffer has become accustomed to what might seem to many Americans a hard life. "After serving here for two years, what used to be difficult to deal with or seemed somewhat strange is now a part of my daily life here and has become normal," she said.

She has taught junior English department students, who range in age from 17 to 22, as well as adult students from 23 to 50 years old. "My students are mostly from the countryside," she said. "I teach eight different classes with about 50 students in each class."

Teaching English as a Second Language has been a rewarding pursuit, and Rodeffer enjoys her students. She has found her work with adults especially inspiring. "They are eager to learn and cherish their opportunity to learn English well," she said.

 "They love learning English and appreciate the new teaching methods," she said. "It's awesome to see adults being active in class by performing skits, singing English songs, discussing topics of love, and playing games."

ELIC teachers are placed on teams to help them adjust to working abroad. "While living in a different country it is important to have the support and accountability of your teammates who are like-minded," Rodeffer said.

There are also city and regional teams of ELIC workers. These larger groups gather for holidays, when separation from loved ones is felt most acutely. "We make a big deal out of holidays and birthdays since we are away from our families," she explained.

But everyday contact is important as well. "I've been blessed with an amazing team," she said. "We meet daily for lunch and for devotions during the week."

Noting that she teaches 16 hours a week in the mornings, with one day off, Rodeffer said that when she first learned about this schedule she thought it would be easy. But she has found that teaching takes a lot of energy.

"Since our students do not live on our campus, we take a 30-minute teacher bus (ride) to the new campus every morning," she said. She also spends a lot of time with her students.

"Many times I will have students over to make pizza, cookies, or some type of American food. They love learning how to make American food," Rodeffer said. "Also, they often will come over and fix Chinese food. You have to be ready for a four-hour time period of preparing and eating, but it's lots of fun."

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