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A volunteer couple
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Han Ximin
DAVID and Marion Henshaw, a Canadian couple who worked as volunteer teachers at Nanshan Foreign Language School, visited the Huaxia Art Centre on Saturday afternoon to attend the school's third English and culture festival.
“[I wouldn't have] believed that the English education level of Shenzhen's primary schools could reach such a high level if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes,” said David after enjoying an English performance of the short play /The Emperor's New Clothes/.
/斜体/
With 36 years of teaching experience, David served as a principal in the Toronto Board Education before retiring. Marion is an expert in special education.
The friendship of the couple with the school can be dated back a year ago when they visited Shenzhen as members of a Canadian education delegation. They were deeply impressed with the school's education environment, especially Principal Liu Genping's ideas in teaching and administration. They stayed in touch after returning to Canada and the friendship deepened through exchanging e-mails.
Carrying with them piles of books, they came back to China last month and started a five-week stint of volunteer teaching at Nanshan Foreign Language School.
“I was really attracted by China's history and cultural heritage and wanted to learn more about it,” said David, who has travelled around China several times.
For most teachers, especially foreign teachers, it is challenging to keep kids quiet in class, yet David and Marion seem to have mastered that art. Their vivid and lively teaching methods fascinate the students. In addition, David and Marion lectured the principals and teachers in Nanshan District on school administration, teachers' quality review and differences between Canadian and Chinese education.
“Chinese teachers are well trained and devoted, and students have a strong awareness of environmental protection and are willing to help people,” said David, adding he would bring this good experience back to his school in Canada.
David and Marion often explore Shenzhen in their spare time. “Shenzhen is a beautiful and fast-growing city, especially in the high-tech industry, the buildings sprang up like mushrooms,” said David, pointing out the construction sites in the Shenzhen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, which is located near the Nanshan Foreign Language School.
“I like the city very much, except its humidity. I will be back when it is cool,” David joked.
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