I have a new class on Wednesdays about Western Culture.



It's available to two of the year groups in the school, and it was oversubscribed (66 applied for 30-35 places). Because of this, I was told by my boss I had to create and administer a selection test to choose who could join based on ability. I gave them three questions and awaited the results.



The results were as I expected - I awarded points based on spelling, grammar and general creativity (since some students are good but just cannot quite express themselves properly). Effort was the most important factor in all honesty.



I've now marked and selected down the students. As with all tests there were some more, shall we say "interesting" answers which I've taken the liberty of transcribing and posting here:



(Note: Mostly the answers are just a part of a larger answer, but occasionally it was all they wrote)



Q1. Why would you like to join this Western Culture class?



“I want have many English in my hand. Jone do you want have me?”



“I want to join this Western Culture class because I like it. And…very much answer.”



“I’m not well, but I’m very hard.”



“Join, I am sorry to write this test, maybe you read this test is very difficult.”



“If I pass the English test, I’m a lucky dog.”



“Because I like English, I like something about English.

If English is a sea, I want to be a fish.

If English is a garden, I want to be a flower

If English is a tree, I want to be a bird

If English is a library, I want to be a book”



“I like you, too. Because you are kind and funny, You have big eyes, small mouth…Oh, you’re smart! Mr. John belive me! I can do my best!!”



“I like Join. Join very kind. I very love you.”







Q2. Why is it important to learn about western culture?



“Ha-Ha. I have a idear. maby it’s not well. It’s…Do you know?”



“I want to help China get stronger!”



“Because English is healthy! So western culture is very very healthy!!”



“It’s very nice. I think I like it very much. (I’m just ok. I want cry. Because…I don’t know. ) wu wu ~ uh…I bileve…The end.”



“Story time. ‘I don’t know this question’s mean!’ Dennis says. ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Dennis’s friend says. ‘Don’t sad, Dennis. We can play together!’ Dennis happy again. The end.” (Literally what he wrote)



“Sorry! I don’t know your question. I don’t know the “Why is it important to learn about western culture?” means.”



“Bauecse I like.”



“I’m smart.”



“It’s words. Grammar and conversations….

And ‘A.B.C.D.E.F……’ twenty-six. But I just not know. What’s meaning?”



One student also wrote a long passage in Chinese, despite an instruction on the front which said “Please answer all questions in England.”





Q3. What is your favorite western country and why?



“I love England. I’m the television. I watch a picture of England.”



“I like England boys. They have big eyes, nose, yellow hair and more. They’re all funny.”



“I’m a sunshine girl. I like many country. But I have only one favorite country is Sweden. Because my friend Kajsa from there. Kajsa is my English summer village teacher. She is so nice. And she is kind. We have fifteen happy days. No, she is leaving. I’m so miss Kajsa. If a have time, I want to go to Sweden.” (Alice)



“In America, they have good eat and good closes.”



“So, now I want to be here, this class. And than I think I can speak perfect English. Can I?”



“My favorite western country is China.”



“I like USA best…the people are stranger than Chinese people.”



“I don’t like Chinese teachers.”



“It’s New York. Because I only can spell it.”



“I like England best. Because they have more money.”



“My favorite read books. B my read books every day. Read books is every happy. Book is my good friends. I litk it. My see books so happy.”



There was also another special case...



Kevin from Junior 1



- To preface these three answers, I wrote at the top of the test “This exam will test not just your spelling and grammar, but also your imagination and creativity.”

- I then got a Chinese teacher to translate it for me, because the words were difficult.

- From this boy, I received these three answers;



Q1. Why would you like to join this western culture class?

Because I like English. I like England too. English like me. I’m ralxed, come, come, come. But also my imagination and creativity. I’m go to England.



Q2. Why is it important to learn about western culture?

Because my friend come from England, I like English, but also my imagination and creativity. I’m go to England.



Q3. What is your favorite western country and why?

Because my English is very good, I love English, I love Jone, but also my imagination and creativity, I’m go to England.



- He also drew some stickmen on his paper.