In this post, we also will share some school related expressions to help with the work of our students who work as teachers in China👇
The first and also the most famous teacher in China
It's 孔子(kǒngzǐ - Confucius)！
Most people know 孔子 as a famous Chinese philosopher. But actually he is also the earlist educator in China. More than 2000 years ago, 孔子 was the first teacher
who started up his own private school and enrolled students widely so that
everyone could have an opportunity to receive education regardless of
their social class.
孔子 had around 3000 students in all and he took a group of students to travel around China to spread Confucianism for years.
After 孔子 passed away, the students and their students recorded his words and deeds, compiled them into a book called 论语 (Lúnyǔ - The Analects of Confucius), which is one of the most important Confucian classics. 论语 consists of 20 chapters, mainly in the form of discourses and supplemented by narratives, which reflect the political ideas, ethical thoughts, moral concepts and educational principles of Confucius and the Confucian school in a more concentrated manner. The works are mostly quotations, but they are rich in diction and meaning, and some of the statements and chapters are vivid. The main characteristic is that the language is concise and easy to understand, but the meaning is far-reaching, and there is a graceful and smooth, subtle style, which can show the characters in simple dialogues and actions.
孔子 tried to advocate his political ideas for his whole life, however, his
educational thoughts and practices have also been influencing China deelply. Since the Song Dynasty (960－1279), 论语 has been listed as one of the "Four Books" and has become an official textbook for ancient schools and a required reading for the imperial examinations. 孔子 has gained many titles for his contributions to Chinese culture, one of them is 先师 (xiānshī - unprecedented teacher).
（Almost every university campus in China has a sculpture of Confucius）
一日为师，终身为父
yí rì wéi shī，zhōng shēn wéi fù
A teacher for one day, is a father all their life.
桃李满天下
táolǐ mǎn tiānxià
Wish you have students all over the world.
桃 means "peach", 李 means "plum". "桃李" is a metaphorical word meaning student. Why is that?
In ancient time, there were a peach tree and a plum tree in a famous teacher's courtyard. Many students got education under these two trees and changed their life. After graduating, students also planted peach trees and plum trees to appreciate their teacher.
Since then, "桃李" became a word to represent students. "桃李满天下" is a commonly used wish to thank teacher's edification.
Education related phrase in Chinese
School Subjects in China
社会 | shèhuì | |
上课 | shàngkè | to have class; |
下课 | xiàkè | to finish class |
上学 | shàngxué | to go to school |
放学 | fàngxué | to finish school |
测验 | cèyàn | quiz |
考试 | kǎoshì | test |
听写 | tīngxiě | to dictate; dictation |
早自习 | zǎozìxí | Morning |
交/改/发 作业 | jiāo/gǎi/ zuòyè | to hand in； to hand out |
预习 | yùxí | to preview |
复习 | fùxí | to review |
练习 | liànxí | to practice |
放暑假/寒假 | fàng | to have winter holiday |
Talk to students
Bǎochí | Keep | |
集中注意力！ | Jízhōng | Concentrate! |
认真听！ | Rènzhēn | Listen |
老师相信你， 你可以的！ | Lǎoshī nǐ kěyǐ | I believe you, you can do it! |
继续加油！ | Jìxù | Keep |
Try to remember and pratice them at work. We hope this will help you handle your work in school better!
(All the pics are from the Internet)
