Learning Chinese represents a profound cultural experience for American students. Natives who teach the language in the USA must also make some adjustments.

An Associated Press article points out the joys and challenges met by native speakers of Chinese who have started teaching in the American school system:

“Xi Zhang, who’s teaching beginning and level-two Mandarin at Alexander Dawson, is a master’s degree student in Beijing who came to Colorado as part of her studies through a partnership with the Chinese government and the National Association of Independent Schools.

She said she’s been through all the stages of learning English — from confusion to growing confidence to victory of mastering another language — and wants to help others learn her native language and culture…

Learning a new teaching style has been a big part of her experience. In China, she said, students generally sit quietly while the teacher lectures. Here, there’s more interaction and opportunities for fun.”