Interview with Tang Zhen

1. Interview with Tang Zhen By: Jen Pento and Callie Moody

2. Where is Tang Zhen From? • “Judy” is 24 years old. She is from the city of Zunyi in the Guizhou Province in South West China • The capital city is Guiyang, where her university was located • China is run by a Chairman Currently, Hu Jin Tao runs China • Judy lived in an apartment with her mother, father, older brother, and grandmother.

3. Chinese Education • Their schooling is broken up into 4 main sections: • Primary: First six years • Junior Middle School: Three years • Senior Middle School: Three years • University: Four years • Large class size: • 40-50 students per teacher • One per subject • Students start at six years old

4. Differences:Chinese Education and American Education China: • 8 am- 5 pm. • 2 hour lunch at home • Students rise when teacher enters or leaves the room • Students greet the teacher, “good morning teacher” • Wait until lecture is over to ask questions • Summer vacation: July to September • Winter vacation: January to March America: • 8 am- 3 pm. • ½ lunch provided at school • The teacher is usually already in the room • Students talk among themselves until the teacher quiets them down • Question and answer discussion is encouraged during discussion • Summer vacation: June to September • Winter vacation: week-long breaks in December, February, and April

5. -The other subjects she took in her primary, middle, and senior years included Chinese, math ,geography, music, and athletics was very important -In Junior Middle school the students had to begin studying English. It is very important to study English in China -Judy’s major at Southern New Hampshire University is Finance Tang Zhen’s favorite subject in school is Math

6. Technology in the Classroom • Computers were not used in the Primary school’s in China • They are introduced in their sixth year of school • In China they had a specific computer lab they would go to for computer class because computers were not in every classroom • Homework was written out by hand, Judy did not use a computer

7. Tang Zhen’s Family • Her parent’s work schedule allowed them to go home for lunch just like the students • Family time was important- they would also eat dinner together • She has a dog named Dou Dou • She has an older brother who is 36

8. Chinese Culture FOOD: -Judy does not like American food -She cooks her own food while she is here on campus • We asked Judy what cultural differences there were between America and China: • Smaller classes here at SNHU • She said America is very free because students can ask questions and speak out in class • In China they only pay for books in college (video clip) • Other differences: • Air pollution is worse in China • There are no malls in China, the stores are spread out, they’re not all in one place • She said people generally smile more here, they are friendlier

9. Video Clip • In this video clip Judy is telling Callista and I that in China they only pay for books, not tuition

10. “Ni Hao, wo de ming zi jiao …..” “Hello, my name is….” Jen, Tang Zhen, Callie

11. Photo Credits: www.chinahighlights.com/guizhou/guiyang/map.htm www.chinesenames.org/chinese-symbols/family.htm www.chinadaily.com.cn/.../01/content_524886.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zunyi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guizhou_University