Chinese Students Debated on Love Versus Money in Guangxi, China

Day 5

Students engaged well in our debate on Love Vs Money

During our two week teaching in a secondary school in Guangxi, China, we taught many things and did numerous activities with the students daily.

One activity really stood out for me:  our class' debate on which is more important - Love or Money.

Before the debate started, I went over the rules for our class debate with students. We divided all the students into two teams.

The students liked the activity and got into it with enthusiasm

The government side took the Topic - Love is More Important  while the opposition side debated against it.  Each side was allowed three speakers who took turns to speak for one minute defending their point of view.

 After all three speakers from both sides finished expressing their views,  the floor was open when anyone from either side was free to jump in and argue.

The students obviously had some strong opinions on this topic and both sides presented a few well thought out ideas. The debate got pretty heated. Winnie, our CRRS sponsored student expressed some insightful comments. However, I was shocked and totally unexpected when students started referring me in their debate.

Christina from the pro love declared,

" Look at Mrs.T,  our volunteer teacher, in this summer English program. If she doesn’t have any love, she would not be here teaching us. She is doing this because of love!"

The pro money side felt that we need money to do good work.

Immediately,  Ingram from the pro money side, shot back without needing any time to think,


" Wait! If Mrs. T. doesn’t have any money, she would not be able to be here! This shows money is more important as we need money to do good work or any work!"

Christina shot right back:" Not, your are wrong. Love is more important.  If Mrs. T. does not have love, even thought she has money, she would not be here. She could use her money to go on cruise or do something for herself. Love is more important. She has love and this is why she is here!"

It was flattering to hear what the students said about us, the volunteers teachers, who have to pay our airfare, and all the cost including room and board to be in China for this voluntary work.

 Informed by one of the speakers at the opening ceremony, students in the summer English program are aware of this fact. Our students are aware that volunteer teachers paid for the trip to be in China 

After a 45 minutes enthusiastic debate, I finally had to end this part of the activity. At the end, I asked if anyone had any final comments. Flurtz turned around to me and said: I love you, Mrs. T."

What the boys said in my class surprised and touched me deeply

I was taken aback, not expecting anything like that from the students, especially from a male student. I was really touched and tears started to swell my eyes.

I thank God for this great experience in China; it was more than I have expected.

R.T.
Guangxi, China