Joy English (English Website)

The Summer Camp this year will be heading to Shangri-La Park in Miaoli. Two groups of students are being arranged and the dates are July 24-26 and July 27-29.

Dear Hopeful in Joy,
It’s nice to know that you are interested in Joy Notes, and it’s regrettable that you are unable to read it every month.
My suggestion to you would be to speak with your manager to know what the decision is regarding the distribution of Joy Notes to the teachers at your school. By the way, Joy Notes is posted on the English section of the Joy web site. Check it out!

Ms. Lee High

Dear Ms. Lee High,

As a newcomer living and teaching in a country town, in what seems to be the middle of nowhere, I sometimes find my days difficult not having contact with another native English speaker. The Chinese people are very nice and helpful at my school, but I often feel that I need to speak with another foreign as they would better understand my troubles and concerns. What would you suggest?

Feeling Homesick

Dear Homesick,

I sympathize with you and it sounds to me like you may be suffering a little culture shock. The good news is you are aware of this and you are willing to reach out for help.
Ask your manager to check the schools (not just Joy Schools) and companies in your vicinity to see if they employ foreigners. There may be others near you in the same situation. Good luck.

Ms. Lee High

Dear Ms. Lee High,

I was recently annoyed when I found out that a new policy had taken affect at our school regarding teaching hours. Even after some discussion with the manager I found it had changed nothing. Why are the teachers (usually the foreign teachers) always the last to find out about anything?

Peeved in the South

Dear Peeved,

I’m guessing that you are a foreign teacher and you may or may not understand or agree with what you are about to read, and I feel sorry for that. Here goes!
One of the things that many people face when living in a foreign land is the fact that most things are foreign to them. Many people will look at a situation as being “wrong” and not as being “different” This doesn’t just apply to the newcomers either.
Something that a “visitor” needs to understand is respect for the way things are done in this foreign land. This can often be VERY difficult at times (been there, done that) especially when the correct answer or way something should be done is obvious, to you. Try to remember that this is not our home turf and the way things are done here doesn’t necessarily mean that people are out to get you or intentionally trying to undermine you. We need to forget the way we were trained to do things, don’t consider right and wrong, and realize that the same thing can be done in a different way. Even things like passing on information. Then again, it could just be plain forgetfulness that this person suffers then this is a whole other issue.
I hope I have shed a little positive light on this touchy situation and you can understand what I am trying to convey. I sincerely hope I haven’t peeved you off any more.

Ms. Lee High

Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is on May 14th and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms.